A gardening oasis awaits at Hedgerow

By MARY MACLEAN 

Pop into Hedgerow in the Pound Ridge hamlet of Scotts Corners and you will find a beautiful floral oasis, from fresh roses and ranunculus to specialized gardening tools and unique planters. “Simply put, we are everything garden,” said owner Dana Worlock.

Her offerings also include antique tables and benches, one-of-a-kind garden ornamentations, floral books and décor from Europe and a curated selection of specialty items, including antique garden pots and sculptures. Hedgerow also offers a comprehensive range of services, from planning and providing florals for special events to providing floral subscriptions and expert garden consulting and design. 

Always adding new offerings, Hedgerow is now presenting a new line of planters in collaboration with Alan Peterman, a local bespoke carpenter. “We’re creating several vessel silhouettes inspired by my travels in England,” said Worlock. “These designs will blend classic and contemporary elements, resulting in elegant pieces that will elevate your garden.”

Worlock came from the far corners of the country to live in the peaceful hamlet of Scotts Corners to start her business. She was raised in Colorado and Alaska, but eventually found her way to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to open her first design studio, where she combined her love of art, fashion and nature into floral design.  

“I began working alongside another designer and enjoyed it so much that I decided to venture out on my own. I quickly established a studio in Brooklyn and found myself with a lot of work,” she said. “My loose, natural style was fresh and unique, which really appealed to city dwellers.”

How did an adventurous spirit from the wilds of Alaska and Williamsburg end up in the quaint village of Pound Ridge?

“When we were deciding where to live after moving from Brooklyn, Pound Ridge immediately felt right,” said Worlock. “I fell in love with Scotts Corners on our first drive through and knew this town was for me. The people we met were interesting, friendly, open-minded and accepting.”  

Worlock also encountered the storied space of Joan Silbersher’s Antique Kitchen and Tools, a Scotts Corner fixture since 1989. Silbersher, considered a Pound Ridge legend for her extensive community contributions, died several months ago.

“I especially loved Joan, the shop’s owner. She had such interesting items, and she was a delight to talk with,” said Worlock. 

She quickly decided to open a floral design studio, raise her family as well as propagate her own gardens at her farm on her property. 

Worlock is a vehement advocate for organic farming as she grows many of her own specimens for her floral arrangements. Always interested in sustainable practices, she opened Hedgerow Flower Farm in 2020 from which she creates flowers and foliage arrangements from her own heirloom flowers as well as local blooms. 

From Northern Ireland to northern Westchester, Hedgerow specializes in high-end events, including weddings, photo shoots, editorial styling and museum work. Worlock gathers inspiration from art and nature, “finding harmony in the balance of dissimilar elements, maintaining beauty and purpose with a little bit of wildness thrown in for good measure!” she noted.

She offers custom orders for special occasions as well as a seasonal subscription service where inspiring arrangements are delivered on a weekly or monthly basis for the summer growing season.

Hedgerow also offers garden design services, ranging from design only to supervising the plant installation, to container planting design. 

Worlock continues to develop her gardens and her business, with new, exciting projects and offerings. And she continues to be inspired by the natural beauty of the area and the community where she has made her home for herself and her family.

“I’m grateful for the natural beauty that surrounds me every day. I especially appreciate the wonderful places I can take my dogs, continuing a tradition that my children have enjoyed since they were young,” said Worlock.

“As a landscape and floral designer, I find daily walks to be invaluable, as nature provides lessons that are much easier to grasp than those from a book. Additionally, I cherish the special people in our community and our shared love for the natural world.”

Hedgerow is located at 65 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge. For more information, visit hedgerowandco.com.

How to make your garden grow

Dana Worlock, owner of Hedgerow in Scotts Corners, is well versed in the climate and soil of our corner of northern Westchester and offers this advice for local gardeners:

How do you create a successful garden?

“It’s challenging to provide quick tips for successful gardening, but here’s a starting point. First, gardeners should be aware of their growing environment, noting whether it is sunny, shady, hot or dry. Next, understand what plant life already thrives on your property. Finally, assess your commitment level, since new plants typically need lots of care and consistent watering.”

What are the biggest mistakes you see from gardeners?

“I hate to point out mistakes as I really applaud anyone who is really trying to beautify their world, as the domino effect of more planting is countless. So, I will say that not knowing where your plants come from can be problematic as many growers still use neonicotinoids in their nurseries. This is one of the worst insecticides that you can bring to your property unknowingly. So, going to an organic nursery will be the best way to avoid this issue.”

When is the right time to call a garden consultant?

“Bringing in a designer at the start of your gardening journey can be a great decision. As with any major project, expert advice is invaluable, especially for those new to gardening. For this, we can assist with scale, color palette and plant selection. Our extensive knowledge of plants  — gained through formal training on thousands of species — allows us to understand their behaviors and needs comprehensively. We can provide a roadmap to get you started and ensure your gardening efforts are successful.”