Manager's Message
by Judy Zatsick, Manager, Green Spring Gardens
Judy Zatsick. Photo credit: Ben Cohen.
Summer is in full swing at Green Spring: the gardens, Horticulture Center, Historic House, Farmers Markets, and garden plots are all buzzing with activity. FROGS jump-started the season in June with a fabulous concert on the lawn. Over 350 guests enjoyed soft rock on a lovely summer evening. Volunteers designed and staffed the Children’s Village, which provided learning opportunities on everything from amphibians (FROGS) to hula hoop moves for young concert goers.
Hundreds of children participate in our sold-out camps and summer programs; and bus tours, classes, and floral workshops are all back on the calendar, much to our delight. Visitors enjoy the many moods of the gardens from early dawn to dusk--exercising, strolling, taking photographs, and admiring the lovely plantings. All the blooms in the gardens are enjoyed by our wilder visitors as well. Nectar and pollen from the flowers are a critical food source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. You will want to be sure to visit our current exhibit in the Historic House, which highlights hummingbirds in the garden.
Thanks to your support through the annual appeal, you will notice that our gardens are filling in beautifully. Adam Bucher, our new Horticulture Resource Manager, is guiding growth and change in the gardens at Green Spring. Adam is building back the gardens with the help of the horticulture team, including seasoned staff as well as two new gardeners, Marion Adams and Kara Biehl. In addition, FROGS supported three horticulture interns who have been learning gardening skills and adding their creative input. We will miss them as they head back to school next month!
Plants purchased through the annual appeal are located throughout the gardens. However, Adam will be designing three garden areas with a big fall planting that you will want to make sure to visit later this year. The new wall on the path to the ponds will be designed with shrubs and bulbs for four seasons of interest; the Swale Garden is evolving to emphasize the work of native carex as ground covers that will create a ‘river’ of green over time. And the Concentric Garden is getting a redesign (and a new name!) with espaliered plants that emphasize a lost art of horticulture.
Come and visit Green Spring and take part in the many activities we offer, stroll in our gardens, or enjoy the view from a bench. So many of you have called or speak to me when I’m in the gardens to share your thoughts about the site we are so proud of and work hard to maintain. Whether you come to enjoy the gardens, the programs, the community of plant lovers or just to enjoy a bit of nature, we are here for you! Happy Gardening!
