Gardens of City Hall, Frederick MD

Bill Adkins' September 19 photo of the gardens in the courtyard of Frederick's City Hall really captures the beauty of the design and the hard work of the garden club as well as his own talent. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

City Hall Courtyard - Photographer Bill Adkins
From A Year On Market - September 19, 2014 101 North Court, Frederick MD USA

The gardens were designed by club member Ruth Schipper to be historically reflective of the same age as the building. It was then executed by the many garden club members and continues to be maintained by Tasker's Chance Garden Club with some support from the City.  Garden club member Truby LaGarde supplied this information about the gardens:  

CITY HALL & MISS MOTT'S GARDENS

A few members of the Tasker's Chance Garden Club
hard at work installing the City Hall garden design.

The Fountain Garden in the front of Frederick’s historic City Hall continues to flourish into it’s forth year. Begun in the spring of 2011 it has now begun to show some real “bones”. The design reflects an architectural landscaping style that was popular in the mid-1800’s, called, ‘Carpet Bedding’ (after oriental carpet designs), recognizing that the original City Hall, was completed in 1862. Considerations in designing the garden beds were also to reuse existing plantings, to use native plants, and to choose the colors of the Maryland Flag.  Member support has been strong and key for the six garden beds to flourish. In 2012 the project was submitted for recognition to the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, and was privileged to receive the prestigious Rae B. Weeks Award for Historic Preservation. This past spring of 2014 the gardens were part of the annual Beyond The Garden Gate Tour welcoming all to City Hall which served as the tour welcome and hospitality center.

A bronze plaque was added to the garden giving recognition to the club for having established the gardens. Miss Mott’s garden, located on the Church St side of City Hall has been maintained by the club since its beginning. The garden honors Miss Mott,who was one of the club’s founding members. Today, perennials as well as annuals add a "pop" of color. Several native perennials of brown-eyed Susans and butterfly weeds were added this year. Watering is contracted by the club for upkeep and now that the gardens have matured less watering is needed.
 

If you are not aware that Bill Adkins has a daily photo blog of downtown Frederick called "A Year On Market" you should check it out.  Here is the link to his blog A Year On Market If you click on the photo below it will take you to a larger view on Bill's site.  Browse the blog's Archive for an incredible selection of photos from around Frederick - one a day since April 2010!