Garden Enthusiast and Landscape Architect Barbara Wilson takes a short break from spring cleanup at Parade Hill and Route 123, one of two triangles she helps tend. Barbara says this beautiful traffic island is best known for its spectacular spring display of trumpet daffodils, glory-of-the-snow, and a lovely star magnolia.

Parade Hill got a makeover last spring when volunteers replaced invasive grasses with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Caryopteris ‘Longwood Blue’ that’s smothered in violet-blue flower heads atop two- to four-foot tall slender stalks mid-summer through fall and is a favorite for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. “I get great satisfaction knowing that our work on the triangles makes New Canaan even more beautiful,” says Barbara, who also helps care for the Thrift Shop garden, which is at its peak during the summer months when it’s bathed in yellows and reds with pops of blue.

The hot, dry spot features yellow loosestrife and drought-tolerant canary-yellow Achillea ‘Moonshine’ and red Achillea ‘Paprika’ that fades to dusty rose/salmon. Variegated Liriope livens up the sidewalk garden with striking blue flowers from July through September.

A member of our hospitality team, Anne, and other avid Beautification League bakers are responsible for the luscious desserts served at many of our events. At this year’s spring luncheon, Anne baked her yummy brownies that blend Ghirardelli brownie mix, shredded coconut, and espresso powder. “I’m not much of a gardener, so baking is my way of contributing to our organization,” says Anne, who enjoys entertaining family and friends. She credits her mother-in-law, an amazing Italian cook and even better baker, with expanding her own baking skills. During the second week of December, Anne hosts a family “cookie weekend” where siblings, kids, and even grandkids get in the act to help bake 1,000 cookies that she gives away as Christmas gifts! Get the recipe here.