Evening star., 1954-04-26
Magic Garden
NeWNstus
For Homes
Patients
By Mary [. Vouehon

"A OROON6O04aA OAAS0Oe~y 40SS
lifting has transformed the
backyard Of the Washington
Home for Incurables into a gar
den showplace.
Until Saturday, the one-and-
one-half acre tract contained
scattered flowers. one or two
blooming bushes and plenty Of
weeds. ivy and onion grass.
Then. to the delight of the
Homes 181 chronically Ill pa
tients. hundreds of men and
women who are members Of the
National Capital Garden Club
League, descended on the site.
They combined their efforts in
a one-day remodeling demon
stration and by sundown, the en-
tire area was Transformed into
a beautifully designed garden.
In place Of the occasional bush
and grass, the patients now look
out on a lush floral panorama.
They see scores of birds at a
new feeding station and bird
baths. a spray fountain sur
rounded by blooming azaleas
and a f1agStone terrace. mag
nolias and dogwoods, beds of
wild flowers, mountain laurel, a
formal rose garden and even
bamboo trees.
Twenty-eight clubs in the
League took part in the project
which was begun last fall. Since
then, more than a thousand
members have toiled, planning
the area, stalking out gardens,
testing the soil. hauling out dirt
and bringing in suitable soil and
finally furnishing the plants and
shrubs.
On Saturday. they arrived early
to turn their green thumbs to
planting the garden area, giving
added cheer and comfort to pa
tients of the Home.
Mrs. Greeer Steps in
The idea for the entire plan
was developed by Mrs. Herbert
H. Greger. chairman Of the
Leagues Garden Committee, who
witnessed. several years ago. the
successful one-day transforma-
tion of a farm by soil conserva-
ton experts, into q workable
model farm.
Il have carried the plan in
my mind ever since, on a garden
level" she recalls.
Mrs. Greger, last November ap-
pointed committee representing
League members from the Dis
trict, Maryland and Virginia to
select a site where the project
would be most beneficial.
They chose the backyard Of
the Home. located at 1920 Upton
street NV. and called on all
member garden clubs to help out.
THE response was overwhelm-
ing" Mrs. Greger says, mot only
for the project but to bring a
little sunshine into the patients
lives"
Mrs. SchIey Originator
Prior to this plan. Mrs. Julian
L. Schley. chairman of the
Grounds Committee for the ALL
Woman Board of Managers Of
the Home. had been working
against financial odds to brighten
up the yard.
With the help Of a local land
scape artist. she had drawn up
a garden diagram dependent on
individual contributions.
When the league stepped in to
help Mrs. Schley was overjoyed.
Il never dreamed anything
like this could ever take place."
is the way she puts it.
Mrs. Schley's plans, now COM
plete, include a f1agstone terrace
around a fountain and azalea
plot. extending to a shady spot
under an umbrella of trees where
the patients can while away a
summer afternoon.
She also contributed q coat of
blue-green paint to the pool with
plenty of elbow grease for good
measure.
Formal Rose Gorden
Another high spot in the garden
tract is a formal rose garden, As
by 20 feet, donated and devel-
oped by the Potomac Rose So
ciety, second largest in the Unit
ed States.
j. Benjamin Williams, a direc-
tor of the society, was chairman
of the rose garden project. He
and other members ran into a
snag in planting when they dug
down straight into concrete
thrown there by workmen during
the addition of a new wing to
the home.
Their problems typify those Of
most of the other volunteers who