Handover. (L) OGC President, Melinda Hudson. Center is Commissioner Tom Costigan,( R) Commissioner Katrina Greer. Background are OGC members. Center is Susie Middleton, President, FGCMD and to her left Pat Jessup,
Late last fall the Oxford Garden Club approached the town of Oxford and offered help with any horticulture or landscape project that might be needed. The town requested the club address the understory of an oak tree.
With a $1,000 Plant America grant from the National Garden Clubs, Inc., the Club undertook the project in two phases. Phase I was designing the space to be low maintenance with perennials that could tolerate shade. A pie shaped design was created using three varieties of hostas to form the dividing lines. The wedges would be alternately planted. with hellebores and euphorbia. Before planting could begin the understory area was enlarged to the tree’s drip line. The soil was amended and any bird or wind generated horticultural specimens were removed. Phase I planting was completed in late spring 2023.
In the second phase of the project over 700 daffodil bulbs were planted in Fall 2023 to create a spectacular spring display while the hostas were still dormant. Bulbs were early, intermediate and late blooming varieties. Funds for the daffodil planting were provided by the Bonnie Stevens Memorial Fund managed by the Oxford Garden Club.
On March 29 the project was handed over to the town, who will maintain the site going forward. Accepting the completed garden were Oxford Commissioners Tom Costigan and Katrina Greer.
PLANT AMERICA Community Project Grants help enhance and beautify public areas and community gardens. Project grants to National Garden Clubs Inc. member clubs help educate about the joys of gardening and create a pride throughout the community. Grants may be used for physical landscaping or environmental projects, or for horticultural or educational opportunities for the community.
Note: In following photographs, the term FGCMD is used. It stands for the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc.
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