Eyecatching Projects/ New Treats for the Eyes at Green Spring
By Ivy Sinaiko
While the pace of activity at Green Spring slowed down a bit during the winter months, some interesting projects came alive. We were very lucky to have gardener Leslie Garcia and her husband Frank Hudson, who volunteered his time, working this winter to beautify Green Spring inside and out. Leslie is familiar to many of us, having worked previously as a gardener at Green Spring from 2011 to 2017. Frank worked for 35 years in high-rise construction. Their combined talent and experience make them a great team.
Leslie devoted much of her attention to organizing and bringing back to life Green Spring’s Glasshouse, and she has done wonders. Her work reflects her belief in permaculture—working with, not against, nature while creating as little waste as possible. The addition of several metal and glass dragonflies bears witness to her artistic talents. They fly overhead, adding a new dimension to the room. Frank helped with the framework and hanging of the dragonflies, one of which is in the Horticulture Center atrium. Most of Frank’s work, though, centered on re-building the arbor that gives the Arbor Garden its name. The original structure was in terrible condition; a new arbor has been a wonderful addition. Frank will also be constructing a back gate designed by Leslie for the Plant Shop.Both Leslie and Frank were also involved in building several hypertufas, cement containers that look like lava. One of these holds a ponytail palm in the Glasshouse, while two more were placed in the rock garden in front of the Horticulture Center. They are also collaborating on a large artistic wire and glass bead “milkweed pod” to be displayed outside.
Leslie and Frank have been married for 42 years and building a house together for over 17 years. They are fun to chat with and have amusing stories to tell about how Leslie’s “eye” and Frank’s construction skills have meshed over the years.
Thanks, Leslie and Frank, for helping to make Green Spring more beautiful and interesting to the eye!
Photos by Judy Zatsick
