Glimpse Of The Garden—

Small Garden Honors Veterans

By Nancy K. Crevier

“A Glimpse Of The Garden” is a series that focuses 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?

Paused at one of the three-way stop lights there, the observant driver may have noticed that over the years the disheveled growth at the corner of Route 25 and Wasserman Way, just off of Freedom Defender’s Way on the grounds of the VFW Post, has disappeared. An oasis for the eye has taken its place.

The Blue Star Memorial Garden has slowly been taking shape since 2003, when The Garden Club of Newtown joined forces with Newtown Lions Club to bring the nationwide garden program to town.

What makes this garden special is that it is only one of three like it in the state, said Garden Club member and master gardener Holly Kocet.

“There is one in Danbury, one in Durham, and ours in Newtown,” said Ms Kocet.

The New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs started the Blue Star Memorial Programs in 1944, as a memorial to World War II veterans. That year, the council planted 8,000 dogwood trees to honor veterans.

The National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program in 1945, and began a Blue Star Highway system. Large metal signs emblazoned with a blue star — the symbol displayed by families with sons and daughters away at war — and surrounded by gardens, are posted at sites for thousands of miles across the country.

The Blue Star Highway system was later expanded to pay tribute not only to veterans of World War II, but to any “who have served, are serving and will serve.” The signs may be placed at veterans’ facilities, national cemeteries, parks, and other civic locations.

When the idea of planting a Memorial Garden was first brought up, Garden Club Vice President Deb Osborne remembers that a former member had seen one elsewhere and realized that the project would not be terribly costly. Like other gardens that the club tends around town, it could turn and eyesore corner into a place of beauty.

“We approached the Newtown Lions Club, and asked if they would share the cost,” said Mrs Osborne, “which I think was around $1,000.” The Lions agreed and not only assisted with the cost, but installed the post and marker in the garden. “Then one of our members designed the garden, and we put in the plants,” she said.

The kidney-shaped garden is filled with plants that provide color and foliage year around, said Ms Kocet. Anchoring either end of the garden are two pink viburnum that bloom in spring. Three spirea at the garden’s edge closest to the road bloom in mid-summer, and in the fall and winter, the branches of a red twig dogwood add interest.

Also included in the garden are a sand cherry tree, a fall-blooming witch hazel, and two small euonymus shrubs, their deep green leaves edged in white. In early spring, daffodils push up through the layer of red mulch. Also “planted” in the garden at various spots are small American flags.  Looking at the garden from the street, a tall blue spruce serves as a backdrop, Ms Kocet said.

The Garden Club of Newtown pays for the upkeep of the Blue Star Memorial Garden, and members care for the plants.

“It was a pretty messy corner when we started,” Garden Club President Beth Caldwell said. “It’s nice to have this as a memorial to the veterans.”

The Memorial Garden is not just for viewing from behind the windshield of a car, waiting for the light to turn green, Ms Osborne said. “Anyone can come up here to see it.”

That is what is down the garden path at the Blue Star Memorial Garden.