The Garden Was Glowing — Thanks to You
On July 16th, nearly 90 guests joined us for a warm and wondrous evening in our pollinator garden — despite the 90° heat! Together with our friends at the Essex County Native Plant Society, we created an evening of beauty, connection, and nature’s quiet power to inspire.
“Even the bees showed up to celebrate
People came from Burlington, Bergen, Passaic, Union, and beyond. They tasted vegan treats, chatted next to blooming milkweed, and learned how native plants — like healing food — restore the vitality of our environment.
Caption: People gathered listening to Sally’s talk.
Even more incredible? 60 guests were new to the New Jersey Native Plant Society, proving that this native plant movement is growing — just like our gardens.
I held a talk about the 5000 seedlings that had had now grown up and often replanted themselves, wherever they wanted to. How our goal was to live and let live as well as creating some order in the natural setting so that it remains pleasing to human eyes and ears.
On display were the summer blooms of several kinds of milkweed, rattlesnake master, bee balm, hoary skullcap, nodding onion, anise hyssop and a few blue mist flower. Coming soon the garden will turn from pink to yellow and blue with the goldenrod, great blue lobelia and blue wood asters.
Special thanks goes to our students Anthony, Natalie and Andrew for tending to the guests and helping with the plant sale, making sure everyone went home with a new plant.
Also I want to thank,
- Suzie for the warm welcome and smooth check-in
- John, Jess & Kate for spreading the word
- Phaedra, Suzie & Kate for the delicious refreshments
- Jess, John, Kate & Phaedra for making the garden come alive and the photos!
- And Deb Ellis and the Essex County Native Plant Society Team team for ther dedication and heart.
Photo by Erik DeLine Macrophotography.
Photographer Erik DeLine was seen being up close and personal with our humble bumble bees, getting their portraits done in full regalia on…what else…..the pale pink flowers of bee balm!
Some people reached down and reconnected with mother earth.
And to each of YOU who showed up — thank you for reminding us that gardens are community. We left the evening feeling reconnected to nature, our neighbors, and the future we can grow together.
Hope takes root when we plant with purpose
Rattlesnake master with some admirers.
Skipper.
The evening was shared with monarch butterflies in their finery.
If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry. There’s more to come — more gatherings, more gardens, and more moments of connection through nature and nutrition.
With gratitude and green thumbs,
Sally Malanga
Founder, Boon For All
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