A crazy spring and a time for patience. October’s snow, a warm winter, early spring with no rain has been very stressful for all our trees, bushes and grass. And now we have an extra concern: a boxwood blight has invaded North America especially in North Carolina and Connecticut. There is no known treatment for this blight, except to cut out the dead clumps as they appear and hope for the best but in all likelihood we will probably lose most of these beautiful shrubs.
Some of our overgrown bushes may need removal or severe pruning, and again a time for patience. Mulching of the common areas is just about complete, but it should be noted that pine straw is nature’s best mulch under pine trees and the landscapers will not be blowing the straw away from the trees this year.
Thanks should go those residents who have donated plants to the common areas. Bob Kolwicz, for much of the replanting. Bob Mehornay’s beautiful hydrangeas are beautifying the south of the club house. Mary Ellen Linderman’s rose of Sharon are by the north entrance wall. Luther Weeks’ tall grasses will help landscape another barren area, and Carol Fredrickson has replanted John Perry’s extra myrtle by some shaded garage areas. Lilies and hostas are also being donated and replanted. Marilyn Lathrop continues beautifying the common area near the south entrance. John Brendal and Sandy MacGregor continue working wonders in Riverview. The Bouchards are donating a rhododendron to the Hollister House.
If you have extra perennials or young shrubs that might find a home elsewhere let us know. This is recycling at its best and hopefully we can continue with the update of our grounds in such a prudent manner. Lawn treatments will start next week.
– Jane Harris