A Local Beautification Project and An Invasive Pest Alert
Brightening a local neighborhood with flowers
The Whistleville neighborhood of South Norwalk, aptly named for its proximity to the train station, has recently undergone an exciting revitalization, spearheaded by Steven Christofor and Bart Stanko and the Whistleville Neighborhood Association. The transformation included new sidewalks, lighting, and tree plantings, along with new banners and brackets on ten utility poles. After seeing photos of her flower basket creations, Christofor contacted Amy Elizabeth Uva, Gerbert & Sons’ Horticulturist and Master Gardener, to lend her talents by adding the finishing touches to this beautification project. Together with Edwin Lara, her fine gardening team member, they expertly crafted and installed colorful hanging flower baskets from these new brackets. Amy chose black metal baskets to showcase these attractive new floral arrangements and added organic coco liners, which can be reused when updating with seasonal floral selections. These fiber liners, made from coconut husks, are not only visually appealing, but hold a great amount of water, offer good drainage and aeration, and are very absorbent. Contact Gerbert & Sons to have Amy create custom flower baskets or container gardens to decorate your home with a welcoming touch of nature.
Spotted lanternflies invade our area
Established populations of the spotted lanternfly have been detected in Fairfield and Westchester counties. This insect poses a substantial threat to our trees, orchards and vineyards by feeding on their sap, reducing yields and eventually destroying them. With no known predators, their numbers are expected to rise and spread, and the adults are active until the first hard freeze of winter. The spotted lanternfly excretes a slick substance referred to as “honeydew,” which can make walkways hazardous and is very unpleasant if it rains down on people, pets or vehicles. Humans play an important role by identifying and killing these pests, destroying their egg masses, and by checking vehicles to be sure none are hitching a ride to infest a new location. The spotted lanternfly is about an inch long, with black spots on their large light brown wings, and their distinctive back wings are red with black spots when opened. Please refer to the State of CT website for more detailed photos and information to help us control these most unwelcome invaders.
Contact Gerbert & Sons at (203) 324-3817 for more information on these and any other landscaping questions you may have.
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