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A Horticultural Walk Through Mount Auburn

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On a crisp October Saturday, members of the Driftwood Garden Club traveled to Cambridge to explore the horticultural treasures of Mount Auburn Cemetery. Thanks to Program Chairs Barbara and Cheryl, we joined the Horticultural Highlights Tour and spent the day discovering one of New England’s most beautiful and historically significant landscapes.

Led by our guide, Jim, we explored 175 rolling acres filled with more than 5,000 trees, shrubs, and plants from around the world. It was an outing that blended gardening, history, and nature in a way that left a lasting impression.

A Garden from the Very Beginning

Our tour began with a bit of history that particularly appealed to gardeners. Founded in 1831 in partnership with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mount Auburn was America’s first landscaped garden cemetery. With its winding paths, ponds, and gentle hills, it offered a place for people to enjoy nature long before Boston developed public parks. Families once came here to stroll, picnic, and take in the scenery on Sunday afternoons.

Plants, Pollinators, and Lessons for Our Own Gardens

One of the highlights of the tour was learning how the grounds are maintained. Our guide explained how the staff manages irrigation, monitors plants for signs of drought stress, and plans for future generations of trees and shrubs through succession planting. The diversity of growing conditions across the property, from sunny hillsides to deep shade beneath mature trees, influences every planting decision.

Many members came away with fresh ideas for their own gardens and for the beds we tend at Abbot Library and Farrell Court. Mount Auburn is a wonderful example of how thoughtful planning and long-term stewardship can create a landscape that remains both beautiful and resilient.

Even late in the season, bees and butterflies were hard at work among the flowers and foliage. It was a reminder that well-planned gardens support wildlife as well as delight the eye.

Stories in Stone

As we walked the grounds, we admired statuary and memorials honoring the many writers, educators, and notable Bostonians buried there. One memorable detail was the number of graves adorned with dog statues. Our guide explained that dogs symbolize loyalty and devotion, making them a fitting tribute on many memorials. Despite appearances, no dogs are buried at Mount Auburn!

We also learned about the cemetery’s two chapels, Bigelow Chapel and Story Chapel, which still welcome families for services and quiet reflection today.

Our impressions were echoed in a recent Bloomberg CityLab article about historic garden cemeteries that are attracting visitors for walks, concerts, and nature programs. Mount Auburn’s executive director noted that many visitors arrive expecting a somber experience and instead discover a vibrant landscape filled with trees, wildlife, art, and history.

Check out the citylab article

We couldn’t agree more. We felt it on every path.

A Day Well Spent

Beyond the plants and history, the trip reminded us why club outings are so rewarding. Sharing discoveries with fellow gardeners, exchanging ideas, and appreciating a remarkable landscape together made for a memorable day.

Our thanks to Barbara and Cheryl, the Programs Committee, and our knowledgeable guide for making the experience possible. Mount Auburn changes with every season, and after this visit, many of us are already looking forward to returning.

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Floriography: The Victorian Language of Flowers.

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We know that flowers are a way of expressing our thoughts and emotions on occasions both happy and sad; but most of us have never thought about where this tradition and the meaning of flowers first began. The speaker at our October program, Jessica Roux, opened our eyes and our minds to the world of floriography, a study in the Victorian language of flowers.

After our members gathered to socialize and share in the treats prepared by our hosts Andrea, Dawn and Joy, we found our places, and the meeting began. Our President, Susan, welcomed everyone and shared an invitation from the Marblehead Garden Club to join them for an upcoming lecture on bees  — a very nice collaborative gesture. Our Program Chair Cheryl then reminded everyone about our “Horticultural” field trip to the Mt. Auburn cemetery in Cambridge the following Saturday. With business out of the way, Cheryl introduced our speaker, Jessica Roux.

Jessica Roux, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, is a freelance illustrator and a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. She is also a prolific gardener in her home outside of Nashville, TN. Her passion, she told us, is the Victorian period where flowers began to have specific meanings, and floral bouquets were sent as a way to express feelings in a world where feelings were not expressed openly. And because this was her passion, she decided to pursue it by researching, illustrating, and publishing a book on just that — Floriography: The Victorian Language of Flowers.

In her talk, Jessica took us back to the Victorian period, where “plant hunters” went on expeditions to explore new worlds and bring back unique and exotic plants. With the invention of the Wardian Case (a small glass greenhouse), plants and seeds were able to be transported back to England and grown on a wider scale. It is during this period that the Victorian love of all things botanical grew. There were fern designs on wallpaper, walks outdoors with friends called “fern walking,” and the use of the tussy-mussy, a small hand-held vase of two or three sweet-smelling blooms, which women carried with them. It was at this time period that flowers began to have meanings, and bouquets were made expressly to send an unwritten message.

For example, because Queen Victoria wore a headdress of orange blossoms for her wedding, the orange blossom became the “it” wedding flower, an occasion of love and happiness. The willow tree meant “death” and was used on gravestones and jewelry to signify grief. The rose, of course, meant love, and different colors indicated levels of affection. Jessica held us spellbound while she explained varying flowers and their bouquets. Of course, all of this was complemented by her magnificent illustrations as she talked. The details and coloring of each flower and bouquet in her drawings were so intricate that you could feel Jessica’s passion in each one. It was amazing to see her talent and dedication to her art.

Our meeting had to end, but we all went home with new knowledge about this subject. And for those members who could not make the meeting, I encourage them to look up Jessica Roux, just to see her illustrations and other books she has published. You’ll be happy you did!

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It’s Party Time!

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Each September, members and guests of the Driftwood Garden Club come together at the home of one of our gracious members to socialize and begin our “winter” season of programs and field trips. This September, we gathered at the beautiful home and gardens of Leslie D. and her husband, Ric. The annual cocktail party is a popular event for everyone, allowing people to mingle and get to know one another outside of the gardens that we care for throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Our hosts for the evening, members Rose, Brigitte, Kathy, and Adrienne, were magnificent at setting a beautiful table, organizing everything, replenishing plates, and cleaning up while also circulating  to chat with members and their guests.

DGC members signed-up ahead of time to bring either a savory hors d’oeuvre or a sweet dessert, and they outdid themselves this year. There was more than enough food, and it was all delicious. Not only are we talented gardeners, but we’re also darn good cooks. A special shout-out to our bartenders, Ken and Rick, who manned the wine bar and kept everyone happy.

Our President, Susan M., welcomed everyone with a toast to members and their guests. The next few hours were filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter as members shared stories of their gardens, trips they had taken, their family activities, as well as all that was accomplished by their hard work in the gardens of Abbot Library and Farrell Court this past season.

The Driftwood Garden Club is looking forward to a fantastic schedule of workshops, speakers, and field trips planned for the coming year by our Program Chairs, Cheryl and Barbara. There will definitely be something everyone can enjoy!

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New Members Welcomed.

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It was a perfect summer’s evening in late August when the Executive Board and Chairpersons of the Driftwood Garden Club met to welcome our newest members to our organization. This tradition was started several years ago in an effort to make new members feel welcome, to give them an overview of the leadership of the E-Board, and to introduce them to the many opportunities within the club to become more involved by participating on one of the committees.

The event was held at the beautiful home of our President, Susan M., and a delicious array of savory and sweet treats was provided by the officers and chairpersons attending. Sitting on the patio, enjoying the surrounding gardens, we chatted and admired the property surrounding us. Just a quick side note: We found out that our President not only takes care of her flower gardens, which were lovely, but also mows, edges, and prunes all of her landscaping herself! It looks like she has a team of landscapers come in every week! The result of her dedication and hard work is a sanctuary for the birds, bees and butterflies who visit daily.

After the social hour, the presentations began. Starting with the Executive Board, each officer introduced themselves and gave a quick summary of their responsibilities. Chairs and Vice-Chairs of each committee were next, giving a quick job description of their duties and that of the committee as a whole. Questions from new members were sprinkled among the presentations, all in an effort to encourage new members to become more involved on a committee that might be interesting to them.

The evening ended just as the sun was setting, and we all left with smiles on our faces, knowing that the work of the Driftwood Garden Club takes the many talents of all of our members.

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Summertime in the Gardens!

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The Driftwood Garden Club was established in 1952 as a non-profit organization to “obtain a practical knowledge of gardening, to assist in preserving the natural beauties of Marblehead, and to practice the art of flower arranging.” In 2026, we do all that and more!

During the summer, our DGC members work in teams to care for two properties: The Abbot Public Library gardens and the courtyard and gardens at Farrell Court, a property under the auspices of the Marblehead Housing Authority. With direction from our two Civic Chairs, Kathy B. and Joy G., our member work groups make these gardens flourish from spring cleanup, through the dog days of summer, until the fall cleanup.

For our history and your enjoyment, here are some photos of DGC members working at each of the properties.

Abbot Public Library

Farrell Court

Thank you to all of our gardeners for all your hard work this summer!

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Fieldtrip to The Garden at Elm Bank!

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Many members of the Driftwood Garden Club traveled to Wellesley, MA, for a field trip to the Garden at Elm Bank. Operated by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the 36-acre public garden features a mix of historic and modern landscapes, including the Olmsted Italianate Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Trial Garden, Pollinator Meadow, and Weezie’s Garden for Children.

We started the event with a boxed-lunch picnic in the Jim Crockett Memorial Garden dedicated in honor of Jim of PBS’s ‘The Victory Garden” show. Then we met our informative (and hilarious) guide, Melissa. Our guide informed us about the many garden ’rooms’ and their focus as we walked along the property.

The Trial Garden is one of three trial gardens in New England, and tests new and unreleased varieties of annuals and perennials, as well as heirloom vegetables.

Driftwood members were awed by the Goddess Garden statues. The statues of the Roman goddesses Flora, Ceres, and Pomona were originally installed on the façade of the 2nd Horticultural Hall building in Boston. Later moved and abandoned, the statues were found, restored, and returned to a place of honor at Elm Bank.

The Olmsted Italianate Garden was designed by Percival Gallagher of the Olmsted Firm and functioned as a summer room of the Manor House with its tall, hedged walls. The fountain is a 14th century baptismal font purchased by Alice Cheney-Baltzell on her honeymoon.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s mission looks both backward and forward, preserving historic collections and expanding education and engagement. The beloved Garden at Elm Bank transforms with the weather, time of day, and seasons. It is a magical place that deserves many more visits!

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DGC Annual Luncheon 2026.

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It was a beautiful day for the members of the Driftwood Garden Club to gather for their annual business meeting and luncheon. Smiles and chatter filled the rooms as members arrived and began connecting with each other.

Many thanks to Adrienne Sweetser for sharing her beautiful home for our annual meeting. DGC hosts provided a delicious variety of salads, fruit, and side dishes to accompany our main course. We especially thank Louise Moore of ‘Every Little Breeze Catering’ for the amazing lobster rolls and lobster salads, as well as Lily at ‘Three Hundred Fifty Bakery’ for the scrumptious cupcakes.

DGC President Cheryl Miller began the meeting with an overview of the past year’s activities, and thanked the chairpeople and members for continuing to work hard to make this club such a vital part of the community. Along with our work in the gardens of Abbot Library and Farrell Court, we attended wonderful programs over the winter, and took several fields trips together. A new civic activity that was started this year was to bring food donations to every meeting. After each meeting, the donations were brought to either the Marblehead Food Pantry or the Anchor Food Pantry in Swampscott and both organizations were truly appreciative. We then voted on bylaw changes with Joyce Raymond, welcomed new members, and approved the roster of incoming officers and committee chairs.

Laurie Boggis, Treasurer, give her financial report to the members and talked about possible projects at both the library and Farrell Court for the coming year. Of course, we were anxious to hear the end results of our hard work at the 2026 plant sale, and we were not disappointed! Everyone said how much fun they had had, and we were happy to hear it was successful once again. 

Susan McMullen, our incoming President, presented Barbie Saraceno with the DGC’s very own “Unsung Hero” award. Barbie has many talents, but she has an exceptional ability to manage anything and everything computer-related. From creating an online membership application to managing Sign-Up Genius to helping a member with a computer issue, Barbie is there, with a smile on her face. Congratulations, Barbie!

Luncheon was served, and we each found a place to enjoy our delicious lobster with wonderful friends, old and new, all of us looking forward to many Driftwood Garden Club events and programs in the coming year.

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Art in Bloom 2026: Max Beckmann’s ‘Still Life with Three Skulls’.

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Congratulations to our DGC members, Susan McMullen and Pinar Gokce, for their participation in the 50th Anniversary of the MFA’s Art in Bloom. Their creativity and interpretation of Max Beckman’s piece was stunning.

Art in Bloom took place on May 1 to May 3 of this year, but the work for our designers began well before that. On March 2, 2026, Susan and Pinar reported to the museum to receive their assignment. Up until this time, it was a total surprise to the participants what their art piece might be. The designers were then given an opportunity to visit their piece of art, closely observing details of the work. Because of the heavy lines, dark colors, and three skulls in this piece, Pinar’s first reaction was a bit of shock. But as she and Susan looked closely, and talked about the details in the painting, they began to see where their design could lead them.

Max Beckmann was a German painter, printer, sculptor, and writer. Although classified as an Expressionist, he rejected that label. He fled Germany in 1937 after the Nazis seized 500 of his paintings which they called “degenerative art.” Unable to get a US visa, he spent the war years in Amsterdam, where he experienced Nazi persecutions, bombs, and hunger. Beckmann printed this tabletop scene during the final months of the war, using objects such as skulls, playing cards, and an extinguished candle to symbolize the transience of life.

With this background knowledge, and the design sketches they had each made, our designers went to the flower market for the first time on March 2. This first trip was to see which flowers might be available and would work in their floral piece. They made a second trip on April 2 to check out the inventory of flowers. And then, on April 29, they went to the flower market for a third visit, this time to purchase the flowers that they would need for their arrangement. They chose chartreuse green hydrangeas for each of the three skulls, a gerber daisy for the candle, and lily blooms for the cards. 

Everything from the flower market went home with them in buckets of water because on the following day, April 30, they would be driving back into the MFA for Arranging Day. They were ready!

During the three-day Art in Bloom exhibit, our designers had to make sure their arrangement stayed watered and refreshed which meant going in early to make sure everything was perfect. Art in Bloom is one of the MFA’s major fundraisers, and Pinar and Susan both said it was an honor to be participants. We, as the Driftwood Garden Club, are honored to have members like Susan and Pinar who are excited to put in their time, energy, and creativity to represent us in such a positive light!

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Plant Sale 2026—Success with Gratitude!

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We have so much gratitude for our customers—friends, family, neighbors—who supported the 2026 Driftwood Garden Club annual plant sale. Our sale was a resounding success! So many plants will have new homes in your gardens!

It takes a village to pull off an event of this magnitude. Hats off to the Plant Sale Committee for coordinating a successful event. And many thanks to Louise Moore of Every Little Breeze Catering for the fabulous post-sale buffet luncheon. And we thank Marblehead Gardens for supplying the beautiful annuals that are so popular every year.

This is our one and only fundraiser, so we appreciate the support of our gardening community. Proceeds fund the care and maintenance of the gardens at Abbot Public Library and the grounds at Marblehead Housing Old Farrell Court.

Many hands make light work…and we have fun doing it! Thanks to everyone who helped make Driftwood Garden Club’s 2026 plant sale a success!

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Dig & Divide 2026…This is how we do it!

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Ever wonder how the Driftwood Garden Club gets over 1,000 healthy plants for our annual plant sale? Starting in mid-April, we send our Dig & Divide teams out into multiple Marblehead locations to carefully divide emerging plants from our hosts’ gardens. Driftwood members also divide prize plants from their own gardens.

Each member of the D&D team takes plants home to’ baby-sit’, water, and nurture so they grow into the healthy plants offered for sale. By the time our plant sale arrives, the plants have grown into hardy specimens ready for a new home in your garden.

Thinking of becoming a host garden for Driftwood Garden Club’s annual fundraiser? Dividing perennials offers several benefits to your garden, including:

  • Improved Growth and Flowering: Regular division can rejuvenate plants, preventing them from developing bald centers and floppy stems, which can reduce flowering.
  • Reduced Disease: Division improves airflow in garden beds and can limit the spread of diseases like powdery mildew.
  • Propagation: Dividing perennials allows for the propagation of new plants, which can be a cost-effective way to multiply your garden.

Dividing plants reduces overcrowding and leads to healthier plants and more radiant blooms so the perennials remain strong and vibrant throughout the growing season.

Harvesting locally-grown perennials is a ‘Win – Win’ for the host gardens, for the plants, and for our plant sale! We hope you can join us at Driftwood Garden Club’s Annual Plant sale at the Masonic Hall, 62 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA on Saturday, May 9th from 8:30-11:30 AM.