Lack of Growth at Route 123-Side Wildflower Meadow Puzzles Highway Chief

Two summers after a wildflower meadow that bloomed just off of Route 123 generated high praise and frequent stops from passersby, the town worker responsible for it said he’s puzzled by this season’s lack of growth. Mose Saccary, highway superintendent with the New Canaan Department of Public Works, said he’s “a little disappointed” at the no-show flowers at 123 and Parade Hill Road, but willing to “give it some time and hopefully we’ll see some color.”

“I don’t know why” the wildflower meadow hasn’t bloomed, Saccary, a Center School alumnus, told NewCanaanite.com when asked about it. “I used the same seeds, did everything the same.”

The problem might be the acidity levels of the soil, he said. “It also may be that we’re just not giving it enough time,” Saccary said. “We did the work in April so maybe it just needs some time.

Garden Club’s Newly Planted Wildflower Meadow Blooms in Irwin Park

Visitors to Irwin Park have yet another spot along the Flexi-pave path that circles the property where they can stop and ogle a beautiful planting. The wildflower meadow that the New Canaan Garden Club planned last fall for a prominent area below Gores Pavilion has taken root and started blooming its reds, blues, pinks and yellows. Inspired by the Mose Saccary-planned (and Murphy Pennoyer-fertilized) wildflower meadow at Route 123 and Parade Hill Road—in fact, relying heavily on the formula developed by Saccary, highway superintendent in the New Canaan Department of Public Works—the colorful area at Irwin is blooming with baby’s breath and poppies. “It looks great,” said Katie Stewart, a club member who serves on its Irwin Park Committee. “With each rain, I think, each week it will look different and better as different things come up.