By Emma Barhydt
More than 600 garden enthusiasts celebrated the beauty of local gardens and the strength of community connections at the New Canaan Garden Club’s annual garden tour. The event, marked by vibrant floral displays, enthusiastic crowds, and meticulous planning, demonstrated the collective spirit and generosity at the heart of the community.
“It really is a wonderful event,” said Martha Lane, Tour Chair. “It was a big community thing, with a huge amount of people doing it, both working at it and coming to it.” The tour not only showcased local gardening talent but also fostered camaraderie among neighbors, bridging gaps across generations through a shared appreciation of nature.
The tour required extensive planning and volunteer involvement. “We had 40 people actively involved for a year, very actively involved, and another 40 or so volunteers, maybe even more, on the day itself,” Lane noted. This widespread participation significantly contributed to the event’s success, creating an atmosphere of shared accomplishment and joy.
Central to this year’s garden tour was fundraising for Irwin Park, a beloved community green space in need of significant restoration. Wendy Dewey, co-president of the Garden Club, emphasized this meaningful goal: “We’ve been stewards of Irwin Park since its inception It’s a wonderful way for people to get excited because they know the money is going somewhere treasured.” Julie Marcus, also a co-president, noted the ongoing need: “The park was going to need a lot of work going forward, probably several years of work. So the funding was incredibly in demand.” Proceeds from the event will additionally support various civic projects, from beautifying public buildings during holidays to providing horticultural therapy for local seniors.
The thoughtfully curated gardens offered inspiration suitable for every gardening skill level. “We wanted a really well-rounded group of gardens so that everybody would find something inspiring,” explained Dewey. Visitors enjoyed both achievable home gardening projects and impressive, innovative gardens, some incorporating cutting-edge solar technology.
A highlight for visitors was the warm hospitality extended by garden owners. “It felt very personal to enter someone’s garden and be greeted warmly,” Lane said. “We had so many lovely ladies of all ages welcoming guests. This warmth truly encapsulated the spirit of the event.” Dewey further emphasized the community spirit: “One husband even labeled all the plants before the event, which visitors greatly appreciated.”
The emotional and historical significance of gardening emerged strongly during the tour. Lane highlighted a particularly poignant example of gardens showcasing generational ties, noting one gardener who maintained plantings from her father and past club members, creating what Marcus described as “the pinnacle garden.” Dewey reinforced this sentiment, remarking, “People are attached to their gardens and plants in more ways than somebody who doesn’t think about gardens could even imagine.”
Visitors were encouraged to unwind and soak up the tranquil atmosphere by enjoying picnic lunches at Irwin Park. Lane fondly recalled the scene, remarking, “It was just so lovely being with your friends in this beautiful place on a gorgeous day. I really felt like, wow, this was all worth it.” Many families and friends lingered in the shade of the park’s mature trees, enjoying the day’s pleasant weather and the vibrant community atmosphere.
Behind the scenes, meticulous planning and dedicated volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly. Marcus highlighted the extensive preparation involved, noting, “Perhaps visitors don’t realize the amount of planning that goes into each garden and each step along the way.” Dewey further emphasized this collective effort, adding, “Both the members and their spouses were incredibly generous with their time and energy, helping make the tour a memorable experience.”
Looking ahead, the Garden Club aims to continue its support for Irwin Park through initiatives such as Friends of Irwin Park. Marcus announced the renewal of this project, underscoring that the success of the garden tour marks just the beginning of ongoing stewardship efforts. “We’ve started something called Friends of Irwin Park to raise awareness and funds because the park needs an incredible amount of work,” Marcus explained. “This is not just a one-time event; it’s a long-term commitment.”
Ultimately, the New Canaan Garden Tour exemplified the community’s passion for gardening and its remarkable generosity. Summing up the day’s success, Lane beautifully captured the event’s spirit, saying, “That’s what gardening is like—you often find someone shows you how to do it, teaches you, brings you up a little bit. We feel like that in the Garden Club, that people are bringing us all up a little bit.”
