Greenburgh Nature Center | Garden Club of Irvington

Our annual pre-Mother’s Day Plant Sale and Garden Fair was Saturday, May 13. Members arrived at Greenburgh Nature Center on Friday morning to set up. Perennial plants were carefully arranged on tables and benches by growing condition: sun, shade, or both. All native plants were marked.

In the greenhouse, our growers arranged and priced the annuals they’d lovingly tended all winter.

The buyers arrived promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday, as advertised.

They bought by the wheelbarrow-full.

Happy to tote their purchases to their cars.

They bought by the boxful.

Plants, of course, were for sale, and bespoke Garden Club of Irvington aprons and Garden Journals, too, featuring original photography and botanical art by our members.

Should coleus be planted inside or outdoors? What about on a sunny windowsill. At our plant sales, customers always get expert garden advice from members including Renee Shamosh, club co-president (left) and Dori Ruff, greenhouse chair (right).

Customers brought their children.

Who helped them choose native and shade-loving perennials outdoors and colorful annuals from the greenhouse.

Some kids painted a special pot for their lucky Mom.

The cashiers carefully rang up the purchases.

The Greenburgh Nature Center staff was incredibly gracious and helpful.

And just like that… the whole greenhouse was empty. And so were the tables and benches that had displayed so many beautiful perennials.

We’re already planning what went fastest and what to grow for next year. Remember, be here the day before Mother’s Day at 9 a.m. sharp. In the meantime, keep visiting this site for news of our activities and public events, including illustrated talks by experts on conservation and horticulture designed to benefit you, your garden, and our communities.

Kudos to the committee, who handled all aspects of planning and setup—everything from ordering unusual native perennials to ensuring that credit-card processing would go smoothly. L-R: Deb Flock, Cena Hamptden, Alix Dunn (executive director of the Greenburgh Nature Center), Cathy Ludden, Anne Myers.

Detail from photograph by Dorrie Bernstein

Nature is always our inspiration, our muse. And this year, our muse has been the meadow at Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC) which was dedicated on October 23 in honor of the force behind its creation, our longtime member and GNC board member, noted local conservationist Catherine Ludden.

Cathy was the mover and shaker behind the design, planting, and funding of the two-acre meadow.

Previously infested with invasive weeds, six years later it is home to pollinator insects and a diverse array of the native plants that support them. And it’s a serene, beautiful place for learning, contemplation and enjoyment — just off Central Avenue in Scarsdale, one of Westchester County’s major commercial thoroughfares. “One person made all this happen,” reads the Certificate of Recognition presented to Cathy. “Cathy Ludden, past president, major donor, passionate volunteer.”

The members of the Garden Club of Irvington agreed with the leadership at GNC: let’s honor Cathy as well as celebrate our new partnership by mounting an art show in honor of Cathy and the Meadow. We got to work. Making and framing art, hanging it and decorating the Manor House. And of course we attended the dedication.

And now all the art is for sale!

James Blann, Board President of Greenburgh Nature Center, presents the new signage to Cathy Ludden.

Cathy is congratulated by Alix Dunn, GNC Executive Director.

The signage features a map of Cathy’s Meadow designed by GCI member Ellen Shapiro. This original watercolor by artist Steve Stankiewicz highlights the meadow’s features: Stone Classroom, Butterfly Arbor, Beehives, and Oak Circle, plus the correct species of airborne pollinators and most significant flowering perennials: Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrod, Milkweed and Echinacea.

After the dedication and a tour of the meadow, the party moved indoors to GNC’s Manor House, where members of the Garden Club of Irvington hosted a reception that featured their flower arrangements on the tables and their original art—most of which was created for this show—on the walls.

All the art shown here (except for the map, which has been installed on the site) is for sale. If you are interested, please use the contact page to get in touch. We will connect you to the artist.

At the art show, GCI Co-President Renee Shamosh with five of her oil paintings celebrating the meadow.

The title of this 24 x 30″ painting by Renee Shamosh is “Cathy’s Meadow.”

Botanical artist Nora Galland with her display of original watercolors and giclee prints.

On the mantle, three posters by graphic designer Ellen Shapiro and black-and-white photograph by Harriet Kelly

Work by members of our Photography Committee: Dorrie Bernstein (top row) and Edna Kornberg (bottom row). Photo by Veronica Gedrich, second from right, bottom row.

Watercolor by Lisa Maxwell, “Dering Harbor Magnolias”

Botanical art by Lisa Maxwell

At the reception, members and guests raise their glasses to Cathy, the Meadow, and the Garden Club of Irvington’s partnership with Greenburgh Nature Center.

If you would like to contact the artist about purchasing any painting, photograph or posters, please use our “Contact” form and we will put you in touch with the artist.

Category Archives: Greenburgh Nature Center

Plant Sale Sells Out!

Art by Garden Club Members Celebrates “Cathy’s Meadow”

Nature is always our inspiration, our muse. And this year, our muse has been the meadow at Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC) which was dedicated on October 23 in honor of the force behind its creation, our longtime member and GNC board member, noted local conservationist Catherine Ludden.

Cathy was the mover and shaker behind the design, planting, and funding of the two-acre meadow.