Since I lived nearby, I kept passing an exit on the Merritt Parkway in Greenwich, CT that was sunny and open and blah. I called a friend of mine who was head of a local greening organization and asked if she could set up a meeting with me and the DOT (Dept. of Transportation) on the site. A very nice gentleman arrived and showed me a list of plants that was acceptable to plant there. I explained to him that I didn't like them. I remember his blank stare and instead of telling me the meeting was over, he asked me what I did like. With sweeps of arms and enthusiasm to spare, I told him what I imagined could be on this derelict spot. I expected him to laugh, head for his truck, calling over his shoulder, "Good luck lady!" and speed off. He didn't. He said okay. That is if he was assured it would be paid for and maintained. My friend jumped in and said she had the funds and promised it would include money to keep it up. He said, "Okay. Go ahead then." What? He said okay? I get to play on the Merritt Parkway? And do whatever I please? The plan was that this area could be beautiful AND ecological. I started out with the razzle-dazzle of early Peonies 'Paula Fay' and followed with the mid-bloomers 'Sarah Bernhardt' and white Siberian Iris. Kousa Dogwood trees followed, along with Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea vanhouttei). Plantings of Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Black-eyed Susans, Salvias, Nepeta, Aesclepias and other flowers that would bloom through the seasons were added. The gardens wouldn't get water, except what nature provided and they would get the occasional care that the budget allowed. When I approached my local nursery at the end of the season and asked what it would cost to buy the left-over grasses, they kindly sold them to me for a dollar each. This meant that the grass gardens could go in to add even more seasonal interest. As I zip by there on my way to clients, what pleases me most is that, years later, it is still beautiful and doing its job. I feel secure that it has endured as a place that produces nectar and host plants for butterflies, can freely swarm with bees and that the grasses provide shelter for butterflies and small mammals. And I will always be grateful to my friend who provided the wherewithal for me to do this and the man from the DOT who broke the rules and gave me the nod to go ahead.