The Master Gardeners of Essex County have worked on the restoration of the flower beds at the former home of inventor Thomas Edison since 2009.
The 15-acre estate is in the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Built in 1880 and purchased by Edison in 1886, the 29-room Queen-Anne style residence is now a museum visited by people from all over the world.
The gardens, formerly maintained by Edison’s wife Mina, had been barely maintained after her death in 1947. The property was deeded to the National Park Service in 1959. Two members of the MGEC Class of 2009, the late Mary Jo Patterson and former Project Leader Amy Trimarco contacted the park’s director and volunteer organization and found out that a lack of manpower kept the gardens from being restored. They presented the project and gained Master Gardener approval. Working with the National Park Service-provided encyclopedia of heirloom ornamental plants and historical documents the pair began directing Master Gardener volunteers in the garden restoration effort.
A highlight of the front garden, or oval, and a rear garden are the stately King Humbert cannas in full bloom from July to late October each year. These plants were traditionally grown at Glenmont. In addition to the cannas there are lush grasses, lavender, nepeta, buddleia and other pollinator-friendly plants. Irises abound featuring Siberian and double-blooming bearded varieties. Master Gardeners also add plants to two historical urns and an ornamental planter at the site each spring. In 2023, the Master Gardeners added the gravesite of Thomas and Mina Edison to their gardening effort at Glenmont.
Master Gardeners involved in the project gain knowledge of garden planning and design, perennial and annual planting, rhizome cultivation, plant thinning and spreading, pruning, pollinator-friendly plants and pest management using natural methods. Involvement from interested Master Gardeners and students is always welcome.
