Parish Gardeners

Parish Gardeners have been adding new garden beds to the natural beauty of God’s creation here at St. Paul’s Church since Spring of 2021.  We welcome anyone who enjoys nature or likes to garden to join us.  And even those just walking by, are welcome to:  “See a Weed . . . Pull a Weed.”

(In order to visualize where each garden or sacred space is on our parish campus, please see the “Garden Plot” diagram that is found on this webpage.)

Our newest project is renovating one of the gardens in front of the Parish House that has been lacking in color and that has been seriously taken over by weeds in the last few years.  When looking at the hall, it is the garden to the left of the doors - we are naming this new garden the “Pump Garden” for the water pump that is there.  We hope to make this garden as colorful as the St. Francis Garden on the opposite side of the Parish House entrance.  Plans call for putting in colorful perennials this fall and next spring, which will be complemented by annuals that give so much pleasure during the hot summer months.  Since the old dogwood tree had to removed, there is not as much shade here as before, and the hostas are suffering from too much sun and will also be transplanted to shadier beds around the church.  Some iris and columbine have also been transplanted to the Pergola Garden.  A young dogwood was planted last year to replace the old tree.

The spring of 2024 saw a hurricane come through our neighborhood, and the church lost several of its oldest dogwood trees.  With the help of our parish landscaper, those trees have been replaced and several ornamental bushes have been added.  Near the West Cemetery’s oldest burials (enclosed in the iron fence) a pink dogwood and three butterfly bushes have been planted - we are now calling this the Hackett Garden (for the family buried nearby.)  Look for some colorful tulips this spring.  Along the Azalea Walk, a white dogwood, lavender Chaste Tree, and two dwarf Purple Smoke trees have been added.  A second chaste tree was also planted in the West Cemetery.  

Just recently the former Giving Garden was transformed into a grassy lawn in back of the Parlier House, which will give some outdoor living space to its new residents.

The Pergola Garden (just west of the Parlier House) is still in its early stages — shade-loving foliage plants like hostas, ferns, and coral bells are getting a foothold.  And sun-loving perennials are still multiplying.  We are happy to report that the Carolina Jessamine vines are beginning to twine around the metal pergola, and in coming years will provide more shade for this quiet garden - you are welcome to read, pray or meditate here.  The newest addition to the garden is a plaque depicting St. Fiacre - Patron Saint of Gardeners - mounted on a wooden post. 

One of our first renovations was the St. Francis Garden in front of the Parish House, and we still receive many compliments on it from parishioners and visitors who have heard of the beauty of our church and grounds.   

During our first year, we also accepted donations of seven crepe myrtle trees, a variety of lilies, and creeping phlox which have been planted along the rock wall that fronts our church property.  Some of the crepe myrtles also stand above the playground.

Future plans call for beautifying the entrance to the new Parish Office.  Consideration is being given to terracing its small slope and adding some ornamental trees and bushes.

Please enjoy the gallery of photos at the bottom of this web page to see what blooms here at St. Paul’s!

Parish Gardeners is headed by Diane Yale Peabody — you can contact her at yale.peabody@me.com if you are interested in helping out or donating to this ministry.