Goatsong and Garden Harmonies

Having left a century of flower gardens behind in Peekskill — some lovingly tended, some permitted to run feral as Sister gardeners grew fewer — our move to Greenwich is a marker for change. The view from our front yard is spectacular — a Grandma Moses panorama of rolling hills stretching eastward toward the barest glimpse of Vermont’s Green Mountains — but the grounds around our new convent are, well, frankly, they are mud. We brought a few perennials with us — smaller ones that might survive a succession of layings in — and some of these have already succumbed to the harsher winters.

Among the crucial plantings this spring will be hardwood and evergreen trees on the north slope below the convent. We are quite exposed on our hill and the north wind fiercely rattles the windows during storms. It will be some years before these trees suffice as a buffer, so the sooner planted the better. We are also discussing establishing a small apple orchard on the approach to the convent from Cloister Way, as well as other edible groundcovers and plantings. Perennial shrubs like rhodedendron under the stained glass windows of St. Mary’s Chapel are in the plans for spring. Work will continue on creating water conserving lawns around the buildings.

Many local friends expressed an interest in our gardens late last summer and helped transplant some of the perennials which had been brought up from Peekskill. There will be several projects for volunteers in May and early June. Donations to Landscaping and Grounds are also appreciated.