Keystone Legacy Gardens

Over the past decade, Keystone House's previously neglected landscape of dead trees, trash, and brush has been replaced with inviting mixed borders of herbs, roses and perennials. Our front porch overflows with colorful planters, climbing vines, and comfortable wood rockers and benches. Volunteers gather monthly from spring to fall to create and maintain lush and welcoming gardens at Keystone House to provide enjoyment for both patients and visitors.

Front row (L to R): Brian Walsh (wearing white USA flag t-shirt), Geoffrey Dodson (dreadlocks); Back row (L to R): Jen Santovito, Adele Ballard, Drew Scott, Mike Spagnula, Jean Francis, Malcolm Klores. Photo credit: Anna Cascio

In spring of 2008, we expanded our garden "rooms" with the addition of a gazebo with seating and a fountain/stream/pond. Thanks to the generosity of gazebo donor Christine (Tina) Censi in memory of her uncle Richard Fischer and water feature donor Jim Green in memory of his wife Dolores, hospice residents and visitors can experience the garden in the comfort of shade with the beautiful views and sounds of a water stream.

Last year, we redesigned our herb circle garden and added an outdoor seating area with raised planters and shrub border, thanks to donor Paul Kerstetter in memory of his partner Stuart.

Future garden plans call for adding a potager for use by our chef and designing a native tree/shrub screen border along Birch Lane.

Plans are being developed for the next phase of our expansion campaign for hardscaping, expanded parking and egress, memorial planting areas, a greenhouse, and native tree and shrub woodland borders by WRT architects, community groups, and our grounds committee. Our goal is to create lush, engaging, and educational outdoor living spaces and establish a horticultural therapy program for hospice residents and visitors.

Local volunteers and businesses donate plants and garden supplies to keep our gardens bright and colorful. Dedicated volunteers from local churches,monthly and on an ongoing basis to weed, plant, and nurture the hospice's gardens and outdoor living areas.

Thank you to all of our previous garden volunteers and donors who have made our gardens bloom!

* Coupe Flowers, Erdenheim
* Hill Company, Chestnut Hill
* Holod's True Value, Lafeyette Hill
* Lavendar Hill, Chestnut Hill
* Marano Gardens, Ft. Washington
* Morris Arboretum
* Primex Garden Center, Glenside
* Robertson's Nursery
* Temple University - Ambler

To volunteer or to donate plants, tools or money to the garden, please contact our Volunteer Department at (215) 836-2440.

Photo: Anna Cascio

Click here to see additional photos of our gardens.