A Glimpse Of The Garden:

A Welcome Water Feature

By Nancy K. Crevier

“A Glimpse Of The Garden” is a miniseries focusing on the heart of a gardener’s work — a special spot, an extraordinary plant, a place of respite, or a place that evokes a heartfelt memory. What is down the garden path of your friends and neighbors? What is down your garden path?

Inspired by her mother and grandmother, both of whom are gardeners, Corey Kondas has made gardening a part of her life, as well. Ms Kondas and her husband, Walter, are employed by Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, so that means she often finds herself facing some long work hours. She has found it important that her gardens be easy to maintain, and manageable, while offering a natural refuge.

“I believe you have to find your place in the sun. For me,” said Ms Kondas, “in summer, the garden is the place you go to relax and find your peace in the day.”

The Kondases returned from Florida to Sandy Hook, where they had previously lived, two years ago. “There were some lilac bushes and a little landscaping on this property, with shrubs and trees, but not so much with flowers,” she said. What she felt was sorely lacking on this piece of land bordered by four acres of woods, was water.

“Where we lived before in Sandy Hook, we had a pool with flowers planted all around it, and in Florida we had a pool, a lake, and the beach. It was heavenly! So what we were missing was that water feature,” Ms Kondas said.

With the help of Newtown Pools, they remedied that situation by installing a small, stone-framed waterfall and pond in one corner of the yard. “That area just cried out for something,” Ms Kondas said. “It’s complete with frogs, flowers, and even bees, and provides a great backdrop for my annual garden party,” she said.

A pump circulates the water that cascades down three rugged stone steps before spilling into the pond. Yellow Rudbekia (black-eyed Susans), silvery-blue bog rosemary, a small-blossomed red Starburst daylily, and a weeping Japanese maple frame one side of the waterfall and pond. The back side boasts a trio of hydrangea that sweep around to the opposite side of the falls: a light purple variety called Purple Mac, the Pinky Winky white hydrangea, and a pale Blue Lace hydrangea.

Bordering the property, just past the waterfall, the Kondas have planted purple and green-leafed lady’s mantle (coral bells), astilbe, and the goosenecked snakeroot bugbane that camouflage the electric box, and lamium, all leading the way to another resting place, just inside the woods. “We call this rock The Reading Rock,” said Ms Kondas, of the large, flat boulder settled among the trees.

Other large rocks on the property have earned names, too, laughed Ms Kondas. “One is called ‘Sherrie,’ because of the rose of Sharon growing next to it, and another is called ‘Rudy’ for the Rudbekia planted next to it,” said Ms Kondas. “Ginny” is surrounded by a variety of flowering plants in the front yard — and is the perfect spot to perch and enjoy a gin and tonic on a hot afternoon, she said.

A few steps away from the waterfall garden, another small garden hugs the edge of the yard. There, the Kondases have planted a feathery blossomed hollyhock known as Spring Celebrities Crimson, as well as a Knock Out rosebush with peachy-pink flowers, a dark red Carlotta daylily, and clusters of coneflowers: white, purple, and harvest yellow. A spring-flowering white and pink peony bush, a butterfly bush, and rose-colored phlox sit at the feet of a fountain brought back from Florida.

“We have kept it simple, because we love the nature all around us,” Ms Kondas said. “This is my gathering place, in the summer. I like to share my garden with my friends.”

That is what is down the garden path at the home of Corey and Walter Kondas.