Check out photos of "The 6th Annual Spring Peony Celebration" last night!

Briarcliff Manor Garden Club
"The Briar Patch"
Susan Zetkov-Lubin

The Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve hosted The Sixth Annual Spring Peony Festival Celebration, last night at the Gateway of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville.

Here's a little history on the the garden--following September 11th, The Peony Garden (a gift of 500 peonies) was generously donated  from a town in Shimane Prefecture, Japan by Mr. Yatsuka Cho, so as to hasten the healing process and fusing the two cultures. In Japan, the peony is considered "the most noble of flowers". Mr. Yatsuka Cho sent his personal gardeners from Japan to plant the shrubs/trees at the preserve and to instruct the park preserve's gardeners on their care.

Last night, at the fundraiser celebration, guests were able to enjoy strolling through The Peony Garden before entering the fundraiser affair. Exhibited on pink-clothed pedestals, 14 flower design presentations lined the tented entrance. Our very own, Terry Marchica was the Floral Chairperson of the event and did an outstanding job. Designs represented were from Ardsley Garden Club (Linda Keil, Graciela Stachenfeld), Briarcliff Manor Garden Club (Terry Marchica, Lisa Ritell, Susan Zetkov-Lubin), Hill and Dale Garden Club (Rose Cardillo), Little Gardens of Tarrytown (Theresa Napolitano, Annette Stiloski), Parkway Homes & Parkway Gardens Club (Sandrie McGarrell, Janette Wilson), Pleasantville Garden Club (Jan Gordan, Carolyn Ramsey) and Peekskill Garden Club (Daniel Meyer).
Martha Stewart and Susan Antenen presided as the Flower Design Judges.

First Prize Floral Design winner went to Lisa Ritell (Briarcliff Manor Garden Club) for her exquisite underwater design. Second Place went to Susan Zetkov-Lubin (Briarcliff Garden Club) for a design incorporating several different varieties of lilacs among lilies, peonies, larkspur, lemon leaf and pussy willow. Third prize went to Sandrie McGarrell (Parkway Homes & Parkway Garden Club) for her dramatic design of red blooms in a seashell. In addition to the judging, a silent auction was held for the sale of the beautiful designs--all proceeds donated to the preservation of the park and trails.

Please enjoy some photos of the event I took.

~Susan