BETHEL – For years, Hope Crosbie had wanted a perennial garden planted at the Evans Notch Visitors Center.

Last week, her dream came true.

A group of more than 20 flower and garden lovers pooled their efforts and the their expertise to create and plant a 300-square-foot perennial garden to the side of the visitors’ center.

Ginny Gamble, a master gardener from Bethel, designed the curved garden, filled with dozens of blooming plants.

“I like curves – it’s a giant curve,” said Gamble.

She also likes cool colors, so that’s what was planted, as long as the plants were native to the United States. Crosbie, manager of the visitors’ center and 12-year employee of the forest service, helped choose them for their hardiness and ability to grow in the Maine climate.

Purples, blues, pinks and clear yellows of such flowers as hyssops, asters, lavender and Jacob’s ladder dot the manicured garden spot. In the center is an inviting wooden bench for visitors to sit, relax and enjoy the blooms. An information placard identifies each plant species.

The most challenging part of the project was the influx of Japanese beetles.

“They were really prevalent. I hand picked them then dropped them in water,” Gamble said.

Providing the labor were several groups who got together to make it happen. Master gardeners trained by the Oxford County Extension Office and the Bethel Conservation Commission were among them. Planning began in March, and by summer, blossoms were everywhere in the garden.

Jackie Cressy, a master gardener from Bethel, and others will maintain the garden. Cressy is also active in maintaining the Bethel Pathway that connects Route 2 to Davis Park.

Ann Morton, a recent graduate of the master gardeners program and a resident of Woodstock, finally had time to get involved in gardening after she retired from SAD 43.

“I love it, getting in the dirt,” she said.

Androscoggin District Ranger George Pozzuto helped Gamble cut the ribbon during the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. He shares Morton’s love of the soil.

“It’s one of my hobbies. The effort you put into it, you get something back from it. It’s stress relief,” he said.

The Evans Notch Visitors Center is one of three in the Androscoggin District of the White Mountains National Forest. And the only one with a perennial garden.

For Crosbie, she didn’t believe flowers would appear during the first year of the garden. But not only have blossoms bloomed, but she saw the first monarch butterfly at the site.

“This is a place for the weary traveler to rest,” she said.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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