Garden Photo of the Day

A followup on the heavenly hell strip

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

93 users recommend

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Michelle Gervais

Click to enlarge.

Photo: Michelle Gervais

Add Comment
Print

Remember back in May when I posted about the beautiful hell strip I pass on my way to work each day? Refresh your memory here. Back then it was filled with beautiful purple and white tulips, and I marveled at the people who so lovingly tend this hot, baking bed each season. You all agreed that it's wonderful.

Well, now I have an update! Soon after that post, I passed one day when there was someone working on it! The gardener I spoke to Jen Schilkowski, who happens to be the person who designs this bed every year, and she was excited to find out that we'd featured her work. Jen works for the Maywood Estate in Bridgewater, Connecticut. The owner of the Maywood Estate owns this little shopping center and the Bridgewater Village Store, and loves beautifying it for the community. At the time, Jen was yanking out the tulips, making way for the next show.

A few days later I stopped by again to witness the new plantings going in and got to meet a few more Maywood gardeners. Fun! I waited a few weeks for this planting to fill in, and this is what it looks like now. Enjoy! Oh, and by the way? They do not use any chemicals on this bed. All biological pest control. Nice, huh?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a stunning plant combination, or any number of other subjects. Think of it as your morning jolt of green.

Sign up to get new posts delivered to your inbox each morning so you'll always remember to take a look, or subscribe to our RSS feed. We look forward to sharing our garden travels with you.

R E A D E R   P H O T O S: We love featuring your photos, too. If you think you have a photo that we should share on the Garden Photo of the day, email us. Send hi-res images if possible. We'll only respond if we plan to use your photo.

Add Comment Print

The cats of Atlock Farm

Back to List

Views across the ponds at Matterhorn

Comments (12)

mtrecost writes: why is it called a "hell strip"? It's definately gorgeous.
Posted: 8:22 pm on August 3rd

mjw20851 writes: This is great and lovely! I've been mulling over planting my hellstrip for a while, but unsure what to do that the city won't complain about... I've discovered my little city is very authoritarian. They threatened to dig up two small locally native spice bushes I planted at the back of my property (they thought it was on their parkland, when it was on my land), but yet they won't do anything about the invasive weeds in the park (that have invaded my yard and those of my neighbors) and even commented that some people like the way they feel when they step on them. They put up signs saying they aren't going to mow some areas along roadways because it's better for the environment... but then continue to seed with plain grass in new areas! I wish more cities would get a clue. Anyone who has ever seen the wildflowers along the Texas highways in spring will know that Lady Bird Johnson was on to something long ago... Posted: 7:27 am on August 3rd

ErikaM writes: I was so excited to see this update to your earlier posting about this. What an exciting difference they are making to the community. And here is a related posting in today's paper. It is a terrific trend! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/8670893/How-to-turn-a-roundabout-into-a-meadow.html Posted: 1:43 pm on August 2nd

kayneff writes: The dark-leaved plants are dahlias. I think the taller red flowers may be some type of penstemon. What a lovely display it all makes! Posted: 3:14 am on August 2nd

greatdanes writes: How wonderful!. Can anyone tell me what the dark leaved plants in the center are? Posted: 10:29 am on August 1st

Wife_Mother_Gardener writes: That is great. So nice to have people who like to make the world beautiful. Posted: 9:53 am on August 1st

Tate85 writes: The tallest, purple plant is verbena bonariensis, for sure. The one that slightly shorter, with wine red flowers, reminds me of salvia but I can't be certain about this one. Posted: 8:01 am on August 1st

JTitus writes: We are the first house in our subdivision and we have a median at the entrance. My husband cuts it but it is mostly weeds and the ground is rock hard. I have planted some lilies there but if I had the money I would love to do something like this. It is absolutely beautiful. Hats off to those who tend these beautiful beds. Posted: 7:52 am on August 1st

Joyce70 writes: What pleasure to give to the community. I always appreciate seeing flower gardens and also appreciate all the extra effort. Posted: 7:41 am on August 1st

wittyone writes: This really is a nice little oasis right there by the street.

The tall purple plants are most likely verbena bonariensis. They make a nice bouncy, gauzy filler all summer long. Posted: 7:41 am on August 1st

hinchy writes: Fantastic plant combos. Can anyone identify the tall plants? Posted: 7:19 am on August 1st

TanyaE writes: Great work! It makes all the difference in how people feel who pass by and shop in towns that CARE! T. LaPorte Posted: 6:33 am on August 1st

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.