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Introducing the Virginia N. Sherry Memorial Garden

♦

Joseph Pentangelo

The Native Plant Society of Staten Island is proud to announce the opening of the Virginia N. Sherry Memorial Garden, a native pollinator garden on the grounds of Christ Church New Brighton.

Photo: Black Eyed Susans and Yarrow in the garden this past weekend. Photo by the author.

The Virginia N. Sherry Memorial Garden was dedicated on Saturday, September 7th, with speeches and reminiscences commemorating the life of our founder. Speakers included Roger Sherry, Virginia’s brother; NPSSI board member Joelle Morrison; NPSSI president Joanne Pentangelo; and Reverend Trevor R. Babb of Christ Church. Several attendees also shared their memories of Virginia – or Gini, as many of us knew her.

A brief panorama of the garden prior to the dedication ceremony. Video courtesy Rebecca Pentangelo.

After the speeches, we toasted to Gini’s memory and unveiled the memorial plaque. The plaque has a QR code leading to a dedicated page on our website with detailed information on all of the plants in the garden. This page can be visited here.

Although only established this year, virtually all of the flowers have bloomed, and several have already gone to seed. Seeds from the garden will be made available to members at future events.

The garden was established thanks to a grant from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, with plants provided by Pinelands Nursery. It was designed by NPSSI board members Kevin Moriarty and Lenny Librizzi, who planted it alongside several member volunteers this spring. Kevin and Lenny both returned to the site throughout the summer to water, weed, and make improvements. In addition to the plants, the garden also contains a bee hotel, donated and installed by Nick Rozak of Green Stinger Beekeeping Services, and a lovely garden seat that Gini used to use, donated by her brother, Roger.

Gini lived a life full of adventure, and this Society and garden are part of her legacy.

Joelle Morrison and Roger Sherry addressing the attendees. Photo by the author.
Many of the Brown-Eyed Susans have gone to seed. Their offspring will fill out the garden even more in summers to come. Photo by the author.
With the plaque unveiled, we hope all visitors will pause a moment to reflect on Gini’s memory and the significance of native plants. Photo: Rebecca Pentangelo.

Joseph Pentangelo is a linguist and folklorist. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Native Plant Society of Staten Island since 2024, in which capacity he redesigned and maintains the Society’s website.

 

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