The Patchogue Garden Club Community Garden - Terry Street and South Ocean


The Westerlund Garden - 58 Howard Street
The garden you are going to visit today is quite compact. It wasn’t a garden at all, being quite barren when we moved here in June of 1986 from a one acre piece of property in West Sayville, With the exception of a beautiful flowering cherry tree in the front yard and two or three established rhododendrons on the south border to offer privacy), the property was just lawn.

Our enjoyment of gardening and seeing lots of potential prompted my husband and me to start with a transformation of the property, which was fun and lots of work. At the time, we both had full time jobs.

One of the first chores was the establishment of a slope on the west side of the driveway (on Ketcham Avenue) which features beautiful azaleas and other flowers and plants, including a kousa dogwood. In the fall of 1986, bulbs were planted-tulips, daffodils, muscari (grape hyacinth), scilla and, of course, crocus to offer color after a cold a snowy winter to bloom in the spring.

Well, we were on our way and continued over the years to plant other flowering bushes and trees, i.e., lilac, an additional kousa dogwood, cotoneaster, holly and a miniature Japanese maple, also, Bradford pear as well as others to bloom in the spring. Unfortunately many of these have already bloomed.

To add further interest to the property we added a few perennials-lacey astilbe, potentillea, phlox, butterfly bushes and, of course, the wonderful “show-off” hydrangeas.

We enjoy feeding the birds; therefore, we installed an extensive bird feeding station. They (the birds) offer life, song and beauty to garden.

There are other plants to view, too numerous to mention. I have a few other ideas which might and hopefully will prove interesting to you; however, they will be as much a surprise to me as they will to you. Come in, relax, have a sip of iced tea or lemonade as you wander through our little garden.
Rae Westerlund


The Tchinnis Garden - 97 East Roe Blvd
When we moved here five years ago, the back garden consisted of a very large, ugly metal swing set and some bedraggled daylilies and hosta hugging the ground along the deck. We were really anxious to create a garden after having spent two years living in an old farmhouse that we renovated in upstate New York. In our enthusiasm to bring beauty back to that old house and its grounds, we bought and planted hundreds of plants and shrubs and belatedly found out that the resident deer regarded our new garden as their personal salad bar!

We were actually happy to have a blank canvas in this yard on which to paint our own idea of a garden. As you can see, it is a very eclectic cottage style garden. (note from Mary Ann: I owe my Garden Club pals, Jo, Karen and Paula many thanks for many gifts of plants and advice which contributed to the eclecticism of the garden. )

The roundel feature was created on the spot where the former owners of our house had placed an above ground swimming pool on a bed of sand. We removed the pool and most of the sand and then amended the sand with peat moss and compost and some topsoil, leaving it mostly sandy. We knew we wanted an herb garden with some roses and lilies in the roundel. They all seem very happy living together in their sandy soil. We added the English boxwood as a border to give the garden structure and the birdbath for the pleasure of watching the birds splashing in it.

The large spreading tree in the back part of the yard is a Rose of Sharon, which had grown out of control. We pruned it to its present shape and it has given us the opportunity to create a shade garden, which this yard sorely lacked. Here we have planted Hosta, Astilbe, Fern as well as Stachys. In the back of this garden are a Buddleia and Viburnum. The side border plantings consist of varieties of Daylilies, both Siberian and Bearded Iris, Loosestrife, Euchera, Catmint, Coreopsis, Blue Salvia, Penstemon, Scented Geranium, and various Hydrangea, and Euonymus.

Our arbor, which is covered with Southern Yellow Jasmine and Climbing Roses was built by our son 10 years ago and has moved with us three times! It’s held up very well so far. Going through the arbor we have built a rock garden with Stachys and various sedum including our favorite, Hens and Chicks. Miscanthus Sinensus is meant to suggest a fountain at the back of the rock garden.

Across the yard is the newest section of the garden and consists of Lilacs, Buddleia, Joe Pye Weed and more Hosta and Daylilies. As you will notice, we have a collection of old tools, bed headboards, weathervanes, etc. We love the old world look they give our garden.

We have enjoyed creating this garden and hope it has given you the pleasure that we find in it everyday. Thank you for coming! - Mary Ann and John



The Spaccarotella Garden - 237 Maple Avenue
My husband and I have resided at 237 Maple Avenue, Patchogue since 1981. We live in a 75 year old English Tudor home with our three sons. The house, which is nestled between three large shady oak trees, has a “storybook” feel. Walkways leading to the house consist of mult-colored slate and red brick. English ivy surrounds the house and often crawls up the stucco exterior walls. Handmade flower boxes overflow with bright magenta impatience and vinca vines. Shrubs surrounding the house include purple akaleas,holly bushes and evergreens. Flower beds include both solid green and variegated hosta and are edged with large “River Jack” stones.

The front yard is separated from the back yard by a black ”wrought iron-look” fence. It is lined with hosta and hanging flower boxes of impatience and vinca vines. The focal point of the back yard is the free form, inground pool with cascading waterfall and stream. It is set within a burm of moss roc, trees and shrubs and include a diving rock and bluestone walkway. The vision was to create a “pond” which would enhance the natural surroundings of the property. The wooded area on the north side of the back yard features a stepping stone path leading to dollhouse cottage which adds to the enchanting appeal.

Summertime brings tropical plants and flowers surrounding the pool. These include hibiscus, elephant ear, coleus and ferns enhanced by the sweet scents of the lilac bushes. Look up high and you will spot a bay house attached to a tall oak tree. Its purpose is to attract bats for natural insect control. Trees, shrubs and lawn are all cared for organically reflecting our lifestyle of living in harmony with Mother Nature. - Cheryl



The Chaskin Garden - 255 South Durkee Lane
In 1994 we had the good fortune to move to our home in East Patchogue. Having been rented or left vacant for several years we were faced with the challenge of returning our home to and property to its original tranquil state. After much, raking, trimming and digging we began to see the beauty that was hidden by years of neglect.

We uncovered two large perennial beds that held several varieties of plants. Unfortunately, many plants were being choked with ivy! Little by little, we tamed the overgrown ivy and rescued azaleas, euonymus, hostas, and many evergreens. It was like opening a new gift each time we worked in the yard! Over the years we have transplanted many plants and shrubs moving them to new locations in the hope to achieve a more balanced look. We have also added many of our colorful favorites to the garden such as peonies, day lilies, daisies, sedums, irises, and roses.

One of the more upsetting chores we had to address was the removal of several large trees. Though we felt awful taking down such old and distinguished property “residents” safety was an issue. Out f the loss of two of our large white pines our beloved Ellie the Elephant was born. Look for our pachydermous angelicas in our backyard!

The peacefulness that we feel the moment we enter our driveway is the reward that we have received from the many hours of dedicated gardening. The fact that we are surrounded by the best neighbors anyone could hope for is such an added blessing to us. We hope that you enjoy gardening as much as we do, and that you reap the rewards of peace and joy that gardening so often yields.
 - Susan and Alan


The Butler Garden - 1 Dock Street
In 2002, when we worked on the design of this house with Patchogue architect Bill Miller, we wanted to feature open space inside and out with no blockage from the road. It was important our front door be a prominent feature of the house. So, low plantings that would wrap from street to the water were the desired option.

In working with garden designer, Kathy of Kathy Designs, our goal was to have continuous color throughout the season from early spring to late fall. Kathy recommended we feature a wide variety of perennials and gave us a planting plan accordingly. We chose colors that would complement the house such as the yellow roses that bloom all summer in the island circle beside the house. Our favorite time of the year for the garden is August and September, when everything seems to be at peak color. Although, this past spring around Easter time the garden was in spectacular full bloom from the perennial multicolor tulips. Also, we love the annuals for the garden because they add the vivant full bloom colors; which we get from our cousin at Sunshine Cottage in Bayport.

Donna is really the one with gardening DNA in her genes. Her love of gardening was inspired by her mother and her father’s mother. Both of these women spent many hours in their gardens, it was a form of relaxation for them. In fact her grandmother passed away in her garden in Bellport. Donna’s mother had a gift for starting plants from cuttings, she still marvels at how her mother grew all those hydrangeas from twigs! Growing up in with an Italian garden, trellises, grape vines, herbs, tomatoes, eggplants etc, translates for Donna into a love of color and all that blooms!

Enjoy, Philip and Donna Butler