On Tuesday, April 25, at 1 pm, the Garden Club of Newtown will host “Creating a Moss Dish Garden” at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

Peg Townsend will give a brief, illustrated presentation on the latest trends and techniques for creating moss gardens in yards, walkways, and other shady areas. She will then lead participants in creating their own miniature moss dish garden which can be the perfect accent piece for a table, porch, balcony, or shady spot outside.

Moss can be a great alternative to high maintenance grass lawns, shady areas, and problematic stony landscapes. Using moss instead of a lawn provides a wonderful springy ground cover that can be moderately walked on as well as a no-mow alternative.

The rich, deep colors and varied textures of moss can make a shady corner, walkway, or rocky hillside vibrantly beautiful. On a smaller scale, one can bring some moss inside and create a decorative dish garden for the table.

After retiring from a career in teaching, Townsend attended Beyond Beginnings symposiums and workshops given by prominent designers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. She has exhibited designs at the Wadsworth Atheneum, New Britain Museum of American Art, and state flower shows in Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut. Her designs have received many awards, including Designer’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards at the CT Flower Show in Hartford.

Today, Townsend is an NGC Accredited Flower Show Judge, and a member of the FGCCT Board of Directors. As chairman of the CT Flower Show School, she runs two Flower Show School Courses a year at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby.

She demonstrates flower arranging techniques and conducts workshops and programs for garden clubs in Connecticut, judges flower shows throughout Connecticut and New York, and is an active member of Town & Country Garden Club, The Garden Club of Newtown, and Creative Arrangers of Connecticut.

The public is invited to this program, but seating is limited and reservations for a spot can be made by calling the library at 203-426-4533. Potting soil, plants and moss will be supplied. Participants can bring their own container or purchase one for a minimal fee.

A freewill donation would be appreciated for the costs of container and/or supplies.