Gardening at Springwell

Gardening at Springwell

Our resident gardeners have been very busy this spring and summer tending to all the beautiful gardens at Springwell! Hilda Imhoff, Nell Crawford, Frank Simmonds and John Ferron have done a fabulous job managing four different gardens that residents, family and friends enjoy throughout the seasons. In addition to our Springwell family, walkers from Mount Washington often swing through to tour the gardens as well!

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Frank was instrumental in planning and planting the Butterfly Garden. He had the foresight to plant a variety of different flowers so there is always something going on in the garden at different cycles. You’ll find Crepe Myrtle, daffodils, irises, bleeding hearts and more in the beautiful Butterfly Garden. Prior to moving into Springwell, the extent of Frank’s gardening was azalea bushes, and we are thankful he has branched out!

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Nell and John have a goal to plant all perennials in the Breezeway Garden. It is fascinating to know that almost every plant has its own story. Sometimes people who have been given a plant to celebrate a holiday will give it to the gardeners to plant. The hydrangeas are close to 100 years old, and they are a vibrant blue, they think because they are planted above copper pipes. “A New Dawn” climbing rose was developed by a botanist on the Eastern Shore. The peonies came from a woman who helped out a resident at Springwell. There’s a chamelia that was donated by a resident in memory of her husband. There are chrysthanthemums, irises, oxalis, hibiscus, hostas, zinnias, marigolds, and Shasta daisies. The rhododendrons are the showpiece of the gardens. And there’s even an herb garden in the corner of the Breezeway!

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The East Terrace Garden is surrounded by brick walls and has shades of a secret garden. And a bonus — the 3 ½’ tall beds make it easier to reach, and there’s also a patio for people to sit and enjoy the African verbena, irises, day lilies and more!A work in progress, the West Terrace Garden features white and red astilbe, pink phlox, pale purple ground phlox and more. In addition to the planning and planning, the gardens need nearly daily pruning and weeding. And we can’t forget talking to the plants! That, according to our gardeners, definitely helps them grow!