Shades of Green

Shade Plants, Serenity & More

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH

Whether you’re looking for the perfect shade plant for your garden or the perfect place for a peaceful springtime stroll, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at Shades of Green in Charlton. Nestled beneath towering trees along rural Cook Road, this homebased outdoor plant shop reflects the artistic vision, gardening prowess, perseverance, and love of one amazing woman: Wynne Trowbridge. Hardworking, laidback, and personable, Wynne enjoys nothing more than getting to know her customers, learning about their interests and needs, and sharing her extensive gardening know-how. For the past 20 years, Wynne has worked tirelessly to transform her family’s 25-acre property into a lovely, tranquil setting where visitors can wander the gardens, listen to birdsong, relax and recharge. Wynne encourages folks to stroll along the winding pathways or head down to the pond to see the water lilies and wildlife. You can even bring a picnic lunch and make yourself at home among the many cheery clusters of chairs, tables, and benches scattered around the property. When Wynne Trowbridge, her husband, and two children first moved from Colorado to Charlton in 1990, she had no idea she would ultimately be running a thriving little business. “We had 25 acres and a pond,” Wynne says, “and I knew I wanted to do some form of gardening. I come from an extended family of farmers in Minnesota,” she adds with a grin, “so I guess it’s in my blood.” Initially, Wynne considered growing and selling the usual mix of annual and perennial plants. But then a nephew, who’d majored in business, offered her some pivotal advice.

“Hugh suggested I narrow my focus and create a niche business that would set me apart from other gardening centers in the area,” Wynne recalls. “Since our property is loaded with shade trees, I decided to specialize in shade plants, hostas in particular. They’re America’s favorite perennial.” Thousands of different hosta varieties are grown worldwide, and Shades of Green carries hundreds of them. But, given the often minute differences between varieties, Wynne admits that keeping track of their different names and locations can be challenging. In addition to hostas, she also offers many other kinds of shade plants, including a striking array of astilbe, brunnera, ferns, heuchera, and pulmonaria. Over the years, Wynne has enjoyed decorating her grounds with vibrantly-painted potting sheds, whimsical statues, and quirky ornamental doodads. She does all the painting herself and laughs heartily when asked if she has an art background. “Not at all!” she says. “I just look at things, try to visualize different color combinations, and go from there.” Wynne admits that running Shades of Green is an all-consuming endeavor—and keeping the grass mowed and gardens weeded is impossible! “It’s just me working here most of the time,” she says, “although I do have a wonderful helper, Jen Evans, who works several hours each week.”

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Despite the long hours and daunting workload, Wynne’s enthusiasm for gardening is unmistakable. Having previously worked many years in office settings, she is all too happy to be working outdoors now, doing what she loves. She especially enjoys the process of taking plants from plug or bare root form to maturity. But, as all seasoned gardeners know, dangers abound in the natural world. “In a very wet season, I might lose one-half to two-thirds of my plugs to rot,” she laments. “Meanwhile, chipmunks and other critters continually work to destroy the plants. And an unexpected hailstorm can be devastating!”

But despite the many challenges, Wynne Trowbridge loves being her own boss, gardening in the great outdoors, and meeting all the wonderful people who stop by her idyllic homestead. For Wynne, Shades of Green is much more than a business. It’s a way of life and a labor of love. “I always tell people I’m just one good injury away from retiring,” she chuckles. Still, from the way her eyes sparkle and shine, it’s obvious that this dynamic 60-something woman has found her true calling.

Whether you’re a hosta aficionado or a casual gardener, Shades of Green is an inspiring springtime ’must-see.’ Once you’ve experienced its gorgeous plants, peaceful surroundings, whimsical décor, and warm and welcoming host, you will surely return again and again.