Stamford -- Marion's Garden

The property comprises just under one and one-half acres, much of it sloping to woodlands and a brook, nearly all shaded by mature trees, with outcroppings of native boulders. The gardens were transformed after World War II from a vegetable garden into a mini nursery with a collection of dwarf conifers. When purchased this property had hedges of hemlock and pine on one side, false cypress and rhododendron on the other, and some foundation planting. The front rock garden was created first with narrow walkways of indigenous stone among the newly planted flowering shrubs. The back foundation garden and driveway embankment were planted next, then the flat areas in back were filled with deep borders of flowering shrubs, dwarf conifers and perennials, working around the massive granite boulders left behind by ancient glaciers. Azaleas, native rhododendrons, and mountain laurel suited the high shade from the woodlands and acidic soil condition; mosses thrive as groundcover in this location and encourage volunteer offshoots from the shrubs. The colorful spring blooms of azaleas, rhododendron and dogwood trees are followed by summer blooming hydrangea and perennials planted in beds and containers, while in fall the changing colors of leaves and ornamental grasses are featured.

Over the years the owner has introduced some newer cultivars and has added a deer fence, two small fish ponds, a bird feeder and bird houses to encourage other native wildlife. The moss lawns and terrace are kept neat by using a weed whacker and the azaleas are pruned so they do not overgrow the dwarf conifers. Since the property drops off sharply on the east side a row of containers planted with spirea on a purpose built platform line the walkway to the back garden.

Persons associated with the garden include: include Katherine Lauder Hyde (former owner, 1956); the Paul Bacco Realty (former owner, 1958); Noel B. Toombs (former owner, 1961-1966); Site Systems (terrace and fish pond, 2006).