A Garden Club was Formed
The Chagrin Valley Herb Society began in 1989 when Kathy Catani put a small article in a few local newspapers about beginning a garden club with an emphasis on herbs. The most amazing group of women answered the ad and the Chagrin Valley Herb Society was born.
The Public Garden Breaks Ground
On March 19, 1992, St. Joseph’s Day, ground was broken for the Library Garden. The garden was based on the French intensive method of gardening, featuring a colonial style. Simple and angular in form, it was the plants themselves that gave life to the garden.
Garden Design
French intensive gardening is based on the theory that many plants grouped together in small beds are able to produce a higher yield. It allows for more specialized care and less time spent weeding. This is also known as postage stamp gardening.
The gardens were built by ourselves with the help of husbands and sons. A picket fence built by Auburn fence was added. The Library Garden wood sign was created by a Chesterland sign artist. Talented Village Blacksmith, Ken Roby, designed and donated the ironwork signpost, which has been moved to its new location in front of where the new tea house will be. Our engraved Chagrin Valley Herb Society rock engraved by Sheffield Monuments will be found nearby.
Garden Themes
The original gardens included:
- Culinary
- Blue and Silver
- Literary
- Potpourri
- Mint, which later became Butterfly
- Medicinal
- 2 high raised, wheel chair accessible, braille labelled, touch and sniff fragrance beds
- Entry garden
The Tea House
In 1995 member, Ruth Kysela, designed and donated a 9’x9’ tea house to include an all-season perennial garden to include a sandstone floor and paths. Because several rocks had been taken from the garden, the club surprised Ruth with a large triangular rock, too big for anyone to easily take. That rock can now be found near the future tea house in the new garden. Theresa Werner donated a Japanese lilac in memory of her husband, Joe Werner The Werners were local nursery owners who were instrumental in building the garden. Ann Sekerak donated the bench in memory of her husband who had also helped build the original garden.
Plans for a new tea house are in place. Special thanks to Anne Tripp for her donation towards its construction. Our club is so grateful!
The Ginkgo Tree
The large ginkgo tree now growing near the sidewalk was originally planted beyond the tea house as a focal point, in memory of Lily Fuegar. She and her husband were dwarf tree experts and Lily was a renowned artist. Member Karen Colini, a horticulturist, and her husband Tony, a landscape architect, planted the memorial trees and were experts who were always on hand when needed. Those charter members mentioned were only a few of the treasured members who had a huge impact on the development of our original garden.
The ginkgo tree was moved and will be a part of our new gardens.
New Beginnings
In 2020 the Geauga County Library erected its new building. The old building, along with our original garden, was demolished. The tea house was moved to its new home in the South Russell Park off East Washington Street. It can be seen from the street up on the hill on a path connecting the East Washington Street park and the Bell Street Park and the trailhead of the historic Interurban Railroad trail. It will be enjoyed for generations by hikers and stand as a memorial to the Kysela Family.