Essex, Connecticut - About the Board of Trade

Experience ESSEX!

Essex Board of Trade Hosts 2nd Annual Potted Garden Tour June 4th - 6th, 2010

Following last year's huge success, Essex Board of Trade will hold its 2nd Annual Potted Garden Tour, Friday - Sunday, June 4, 5 & 6. Professionally designed and themed container gardens will grace the quaint village main streets of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton. Exciting displays will embellish patios, porches, courtyards and storefronts creating a visual feast and inspiration for all to enjoy.

"We're delighted to sponsor this beautiful event again in 2010," says Essex Board of Trade President, Jim D'Alessio, owner of J. Alden Clothiers. Jim continues, "Last year, it was truly a pleasure to witness friends and visitors strolling the Potted Garden Tour, shopping, enjoying the restaurants and cafes... generally sharing a wonderful day together."

This year, the Potted Garden Tour will be expanded with 15 potted garden destinations total and will include a number of garden talks and special events throughout the weekend. Some of the creative displays along this year's self-guided tour are:

Riverside Garden at the Connecticut River Museum, designed by Landscape Specialties, Centerbrook
Dockside Garden at Brewer Dauntless Marina, created by Ballek's Garden Center, East Haddam
Garden in the Square at Griswold Square, a collaborative presentation by Land Designs LLC, Deep River, and Riggio's Garden Center, Essex
Starkey's Pots at Timothy Starkey House, potted by Old Lyme Landscape, Old Lyme
Potted Courtyard, at Page Taft Realty, presented by Reeve Landscape, Westbrook
Merchants' Row, 17 - 19 Main Street, created by Acer Gardens, Deep River
English Charm by the Cove, presented by The English Lady Landscape & Home, Essex
Village Patio, at Pocketful of Posies, designed by Grove Garden Center, Clinton
Garden of Verses at Essex Books, magically created by Stone Post Gardens, Middletown
Pots with History, Pratt House, designed by Wertheimer & Associates
Reading Garden at Essex Library, sponsored by Van Wilgen's Garden Center of North Branford

Zen Garden at The Spa of Essex, created by designer Nohra Yuille, with her famous potted troughs.

Gabby's Garden at Gabrielle's created by Scott's Farm & Greenhouse

Through the Garden Gate at the Ivoryton Library, presented by Running Brook Farms Nursery & Landscaping, Killingworth

"This spectacular spring event is certain to generate ideas and inspiration for all tour attendees to take home to their own patios, gardens and window boxes," adds Jim D'Alessio

The 2nd Annual Potted Garden Tour is intended to be strolled at one's own pace. Restaurants and shops will feature Potted Garden Tour festivities and merchandise. Plein air artists will be out and about throughout the weekend.

The Potted Garden Tour is FREE of charge and open to the public. Visitors can begin the self-guided tour at the Welcome Tent at The Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Experience ESSEX!

"This spectacular spring event is certain to generate ideas and inspiration for all tour attendees to take home to their own patios, gardens and window boxes," adds Jim D'Alessio.

Special Events include:

FRIDAY, JUNE 4th

10:30 a.m.

Danielle Sherry
Associate Editor
Fine Gardening Magazine
Plant a Moveable Feast
Ms. Sherry's talk will focus on how to pot up a container of mixed edibles, sharing tips to make it look as good as it tastes. Plant choice, soil, placement and maintenance with a special recipe for "magic soil" will all be included.
Essex Town Hall,
Directly across from the "Welcome Tent" at Essex
Library

6:30 p.m.

Henry Eggert and Ryan Van Wilgen
Van Wilgen's Garden Center
How to Plant a Complementary Container
Watch and learn as Henry and Ryan create a dynamic potted garden. Live demonstration features the complete planting process of producing a container of ornamental plants. Lecture includes helpful hints for proper soil use, positioning of plants and how to best complement annuals, perennials, dwarf shrubs and trees.
The Essex Library
33 West Avenue, Essex

SATURDAY, JUNE 5th

11:00 a.m.

Emrys Tetu, Holistic Health Counselor
Eating Straight from the Table
Emry's talk will focus on various nutrient-rich herbs and vegetables easily grown in containers, and their power to contribute to overall health and well-being.
The Hayden House
Main Street, Essex - adjacent to The Griswold Inn

SUNDAY, JUNE 6th

11:00 a.m.	Sheila Wertheimer, Wertheimer & Associates Low Maintenance Gardening; Japanese Style Inspired by her travels to Japan, Ms. Wertheimer will talk about how to work toward a low- maintenance garden - slide presentation will be featured. Essex Library 33 West Avenue, Essex
2:00 p.m.	Maureen Haseley-Jones, The English Lady Home & Landscape Garden Earth The English Lady will discuss creating a beautiful garden that's rewarding to the gardener as well as the environment. Essex Town Park - rain location: Essex Library Main Street, Essex
4:00 p.m.	Reception Through the Garden Gate Meet many of the homeowners from Ivoryton's past garden tours, view slides of their gardens and talk with them to get inspiration for your own outdoor spaces - a veritable garden party! Ivoryton Library 106 Main Street, Ivoryton