By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – The Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough will hold its annual plant sale Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the 1Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School, 25 Union St. The sale will feature over 100 different kinds of plants ranging from perennials, natives, shade garden, trees, shrubs, edibles, herbs and more. There will also be some floral arrangements, crafts, Blossoms by Bees and more.
One of the things that makes this plant sale unique is that visitors are educated on each plant featured.
“We have a [presentation] for each plant that depicts ways in which the plant will thrive. We offer the consumer detailed information so that once the plant is brought home, they will know where to plant it, and watch it grow, said Karen McEachern, beautification chair.
In addition, there will be an “Ask a Master Gardener” booth where attendees can get advice as well as have their soil tested. Those interested may visit www.gcf.org/colonialgardenclubofmarlborough for soil-testing instructions prior to the sale.
This will be McEachern’s 11th year in the club and her second as the beautification chair.
“I love being a part of this group as it’s so much more than just sharing plants,” she said. “It is comprised of a great group of women who are multi-talented, funny, energetic, intelligent and just fun to be around. It’s nice to spend time with adults from all different backgrounds. I wish we also had male members and we encourage them to join.”
McEachern shared that she is most proud of the five gardens that the group is responsible for maintaining and beautifying. They include the Women Veterans Park, Circle Garden at City Hall, both middle schools, and the Wildflower and Woodland Garden at Ghiloni Park.
“The DPW assists and both John Ghiloni, commissioner of Public Works, and Chris White, head of forestry, who have been absolutely terrific about advising, composting and more,” she said. “We technically manage these sites on behalf of the city, as the city owns them. All of the grounds are part of ‘Adopt a Space.’ Other garden clubs don’t have that support. We are really fortunate.”
When asked about the beautification projects, McEachern conveyed how there are times when one person takes charge with a master plan while at other times everyone pitches in with ideas.
“From my recent experience, renovating the gardens as well as reviewing the archival information, it’s clear to me that our best work is collaborative,” she said. “When every member feels free to weigh in, pro or con,…we create better designs and make more thoughtful plant choices. The collaborative approach is also my personal preference. We all enjoy puttering in our own gardens, but there’s a special energy when gardening is a team effort.”
