Lewes in Bloom awards two Beauty Spots for July
Lewes in Bloom has announce the award of two Beauty Spots in Lewes for July. Both awarded gardens reflect beauty, passion, hard work, creativity, and respect for the environment and wildlife. For the Beauty Spot program, Co-Chair Nancy Phillips shared "We are inspired by the Beauty Spot award recipients for their dedication and unique designs in their gardens." Judy Hanson, LIB co-chair, feels that "it is wonderful to celebrate beautiful gardens in the Lewes community with the Beauty Spot program."
The two July LIB Beauty Spot awardees are Janice Pinto of Rodney Avenue, and Mike Conrad, North Heron Drive at the Cove on Heron Creek.
Pinto created a well-balanced, serene garden with several focal points, particularly in the backyard with a multitude of limelight hydrangeas, a wide selection of flowering bushes and plants incorporating contrast in color and texture, a topiary gardenia, a pond lined with granite stones from the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, a garden shed with a beautiful black walnut door hand-made by Pinto, as well as a clear commitment to use organic methods to provide a sound environment for birds, butterflies and wildlife. Pinto was given three plants from Abruzzo, Italy by a friend – a fig, oleander and a Sirius succulent that are cherished in her garden. Several water fountains and ornamental garden statues added to the garden's charm. The formality of the center square paved garden with the water feature, plants and grasses is the perfect vista from the raised porch off the back of the house, and a great foreground to a beautiful crepe myrtle and the open field beyond.
Conrad's garden meanders over a large piece of property which he cleared and covered with topsoil himself and was accomplished in just four short years. Initially, the property only had three trees, and now is a vast natural landscape filled to the brim with beautiful combinations of perennials, annuals, vegetables, shrubs, evergreens and lovely crepe myrtle trees. Conrad has two hydrangeas from the Lewes Stango Park that were available a few years ago when the LIB Children's Learning Garden was created - they are thriving in his backyard! Gardens were created and a path of green grass leads in and around beautiful islands of color. Bird houses were artistically made by Mike from recycled materials making this home to many varieties of birds. The whimsical arbor from old wood beckons visitors into the mystic of the woods beyond the yard. The pond and fountain provides a beautiful vista from the deck and covered porch to enjoy the many islands of beautiful color. This is a tranquil Beauty Spot to enjoy.
Both Pinto and Conrad were proud to show off their gardens which were a natural setting for their selection as Lewes in Bloom Beauty Spots.
The Lewes in Bloom Beauty Spot Award launched with awards June through October. Eligibility includes all residential properties in the greater Lewes 19958 ZIP code. Lewes in Bloom membership is not necessary, residents can self-nominate their property, and the general public can nominate a resident property that catches their eye. LIB Board of Advisor members and LIB Beauty Spot Selection Committee members are not eligible. Candidate residences can be owner or professionally designed and planted, but must be owner-maintained. Nominations can be submitted to the Lewes in Bloom Beauty Spot at www.lewesinbloom.org. Click on "Beauty Spot Nomination."
Lewes in Bloom is a volunteer organization of more than 170 members, who in 2015 spent hundreds of hours planting thousands of bulbs and plants throughout the city. It promotes the beautification and maintenance of Historic Lewes and the community at large. It is dedicated to helping Lewes boost its attractiveness through a variety of efforts including historical preservation, environmental awareness, a children's garden, Art in Bloom, floral displays, and more. With Lewes in Bloom's assistance, Lewes won the America in Bloom Champions Award for small towns at the 2015 America in Bloom Symposium in Holland, Mich. Information on membership and support can be found at www.lewesinbloom.org, or Facebook.
