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Seasons
AN EVENING TO REMEMBER FALL’S BOUNTIFUL SEEDS AND BERRIES A DAY FAMILY MOMENT
FROM O U R EXECU TI V E D I R EC TO R
Dear Friends of Greenwood, As we transition from the fiery hues of Fall to the more subdued palette of Winter, our focus at Greenwood has naturally turned to putting the garden to bed for the season. Cutting back perennials, planting bulbs, overwintering tender perennials, and collecting seeds are just a few of the many tasks. Instinctively, we also use this time to recount the year’s efforts and learn lessons that can inform the path forward. Did we offer the “right” number and type of programs and events? Are there other ways to attract new visitors? What garden areas are ripe for a refresh next season? Are we focusing on the priorities that will shore up Greenwood over the long-term? To this end, we embarked on a strategic planning process early this year that will plot our course for the next five, picking up where our current seven-year plan leaves off at December’s end. We are grateful to the many stakeholders who responded to our community survey, providing us with valuable insights that will inform our plan for Greenwood’s exciting future. We are also grateful to all of you for celebrating Greenwood’s 20th anniversary year with us. It was a joy to spend time with you in the garden and to know that the many special tours, engaging events, and pop-up surprises were enjoyed by so many. An Enchanted Evening, our annual fundraiser held on September 22, felt magical. Your support enabled us to pay tribute to Peter P. Blanchard III and his efforts to create this historic oasis over two decades. Just as Peter is always in our hearts, so will we remember this occasion with enduring fondness. Thank you for the privilege of your friendship and support. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,
An Enchanted Evening Co-chairs Peggy Shilling (left) and Helen McGinley (right) with Development Committee Chair Kathleen Burke (center), not pictured, Co-chair Helen Dwyer.
Unveiling the portrait of our late Founding Chairman Peter P. Blanchard III. From the left: Abby O’Neill, Executive Director; Louise Moos, Chairman; Sofia Blanchard, Co-founder and Emeritus Trustee, Peggy Shilling, Trustee and Event Co-chair; and the artist, Oscar Peterson.
Abby O’Neill, Executive Director
Please visit our web gallery for more photos from An Enchanted Evening. PHOTOS: ERICA MOFFITT, NAKI STUDIO
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Seasons
FALL 2023
IN TH E G AR D EN : SO NI A U Y T E R H O E V E N , H E A D OF HORT ICULT URE
FALL’S BOUNTIFUL SEEDS AND BERRIES When we think of stunning autumnal shades, our minds immediately gravitate to fall foliage. Equally dramatic is the ripening of berries and fruits whose timing is synchronized to assist migratory birds on their long journey southward.
there is a male growing up to one quarter of a mile away, our bees will ensure that our female hollies are covered with red berry-like fruit. These fruits take a long time to soften, providing overwintering birds with a valuable source of food.
On the edge of our rain garden, one of our most eye-catching autumnal showpieces, the native winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Berry Heavy’), is covered with red fruit (technically drupes) from late fall into the winter months.
This year, the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) produced an abundance of orange-red waxy seeds that were devoured by robins. The seeds are held in bumpy capsules called follicles.
Winterberries are dioecious, meaning male and female reproductive organs are contained in separate plants. Hybridizers have had fun with cultivar names. Male cultivars include ‘Southern Gentleman,’ ‘Jim Dandy,’ and ‘Mr. Poppins,’ while female cultivars pay tribute to their abundant fruit set with the monikers ‘Red Sprite,’ ‘Berry Poppins,’ and ‘Berry Heavy.’ As soon as the fruit softens, birds swoop in and feast. The native American holly (Ilex opaca) is also dioecious. Hollies are insect pollinated - so long as
Beauty berry (Callicarpa) provide a show with their iridescent purple fruit, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) fuel migratory birds with bluish-black berries that are high in fat, and the small red fruits on native dogwoods (Cornus florida) are enjoyed by birds and mammals alike. Take delight in this ornamental kaleidoscope of autumnal color that is not only beautiful but also provides important ecosystem services to our furry and feathered friends. TOP PHOTO: STAR MAGNOLIA, SONIA UYTERHOEVEN BOTTOM PHOTO: WINTERBERRY, ALLIE KASPERSETZ
F ROM T H E G R EEN WO O D G A R D E N S A RC H I V E
A MOMENT IN HISTORY Recently, Day Keel, a great-granddaughter of Joseph P. Day, made a gift of valuable historical documents and photographs from the early 20th Century when Day and his family owned and resided on the property. One of these photos, dating back to the late 1930s and reprinted here, pictures Bernard Day, Joseph P. Day’s son, and his wife, Lucinda, with their children Lucinda, Joanne (Day Keel’s mother), and Thyrza, along with the family dog, Brucie. The family is seated on the walkway approaching the Summerhouse under a pergola that is no longer standing.
FALL 2023
Seasons
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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
UNION, NJ PERMIT NO. 376
Board of Trustees Kathleen Bourke Nancy Dougherty Geralyn Hagemann Cynnie Kellogg Theodor Kundtz Lynn Magrane Louise Moos, Chairman Greg Outwater Andrew Permison Marilyn Pfaltz Peggy Shilling Arthur T. Vanderbilt II Carl R. Woodward III Founding Chairman Peter P. Blanchard III (1951 - 2022) Emeritus Trustees Elaine Becker Sofia A. Blanchard Tim Hartman Lezette G.Proud Abby O’Neill, Executive Director 274 Old Short Hills Road • Short Hills, NJ 07078 • 973.258.4026 • greenwoodgardens.org •
@GreenwoodShortHills •
@GreenwoodGardensNJ
C O N N E C T I N G P E O P L E W I T H N A T U R E I N A NH H I SITS O TR O IRCI CG A GR AD RE DN E NO A O SAISSI S fF
Advisory Board
KEEP GREENWOOD GROWING
Co-Chairs Arthur T. Vanderbilt II Carl R. Woodward III
The seeds planted by our founders twenty years ago have blossomed into the peaceful haven they envisioned at Greenwood Gardens. This is due to the support of many generous donors with a passion for nurturing nature’s wonders and sharing it with all who seek peace and revitalization.
James E. Barrett Jane Barrett Ceyan Birney Ruthi Byrne Daniel Cannizzo Judy Cash Paul Ciraulo Patti Donovan Rex Dyer Tanya Freeman Susan Johnson Peter Kellogg Scott Lamm Susan Lowry Janine Luke Patti Manzi Helen McGinley Pat McGinley Mary McNett Linda Nortillo Jeanne Weill Marcia Zweig
To ensure Greenwood’s future, we welcome your support of the Grow Greenwood Fund. The fund sustains our year-round operations, enabling us to continue to beautify our gardens, maintain our property’s structures, and offer a range of stimulating programs in horticulture, history, and the arts, all for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. We will be sending our annual appeal later this month. If you would like to help us continue fulfilling our mission of connecting people with nature in a historic garden oasis, please scan this code or visit greenwoodgardens.org. fF
HOLIDAY POP-UP!
Greenwood Gardens is endorsed by the Garden Conservancy, a national, nonprofit organization founded to help preserve America’s most exceptional gardens.
Funding for the restoration of Greenwood Gardens has been made possible in part by the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust.
With many new and unique items added to the gift shop, you are sure to find something special for everyone on your holiday list! Located in Greenwood’s Welcome Center.
Seasons
SPECIAL ISSUE
Tuesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 6 Thursday, December 7 Wednesday, December 13 Saturday, December 16
10am-2pm 5pm-7pm 10am-2pm 5pm-7pm 10am-2pm
HOLIDAY GREENERY • HONEY • HOME DECOR • GARDENING GIFTS • GIFT CERTIFICATES AND MORE!
GRAPHIC DESIGN : ALLIE KASPERSETZ COVER PHOTO: ERICA MOFFITT
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HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP HOURS
EARLY SPRING 2019