Local landscape designer, Cathy Conn, brought inspiration and sound planning principles to an eager audience at the Boothbay Region Garden Club August meeting and left members clamoring for more.

Conn's common sense approach to landscape design has helped set in motion several lovely gardens around the Boothbay area including the Copeland /Womack property, which was one of the homes featured in the BRGC Garden Tour.  This "green" home, which harkens back to an earlier time, not only maintains some of the original character of the house despite renovations but, with Conn's help, the original garden design continues to echo its earlier splendor with emphasis on a native habitat.

As a landscaping artist, Conn's focus is on creating gardens by the sea where she can blend native plants with ornamentals that she carefully works into the rocky coastal landscape.

Conn began her presentation by leading the group through her process of creating a home and garden beginning with a plot of untouched land in East Boothbay. Using many photos to chart the development of the property, she discussed the challenges of acidic soil, ledge, and the boggy and forested areas that impacted the placement of housing and gardens.  

Conn went on to detail the steps in the journey from empty land to the establishment of a pleasing and well designed landscape:

• Discover your site, walking the property and taking notice of its natural features.
• Create a site plan analysis noting exposure, setbacks, and drainage features.
• Identify landscape features taking into account pathways and living spaces, seasonal changes, and the makings of a sustainable natural habitat.

Once you have an understanding of the site it is time to move into the design process paying attention to elements such as balance, scale and repetition, unity and simplicity, and what you want to emphasize.  Analyze how hardscape elements such as patios, walkways, walls and drives  will work with buildings and plantings.  At this point you can begin to create a "plant palette" and a plan - right plant, right place and the arrangement of repetitious plantings for unity.

As you begin the implementation phase, it is important to have a plan that can be established in stages as your budget allows.  Consider the materials you have or will need to purchase, seasonal factors, and lawn limitations for a balanced and unified result.  

Conn  works with landscape development, building placement, wild areas and hardscaping to bring clients the results they seek.   She is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and can be contacted at Catherine Conn, APLD Landscape Gardens and Design PO Box 406. East Boothbay, ME 207.380.9344

The Boothbay Region Garden Club offers programs that promote the protection and conservation of our natural environment, while making the best use of resources to beautify our world.  BRGC often brings information and education to its members by inviting non- profit organizations and/or local business owners to share their knowledge and experience on topics of environmental interest.  Guests are always  welcome to events that benefit the community.  BRGC is affiliated with NGC (National Garden Clubs Inc.) and is also a member of the GCFM (Garden Club Federation of Maine).  For more information on upcoming events and activities check out the BRGC website at  http://www.boothbayregiongardenclub.org/. 

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