Discover peaceful Enders Island off of the coast of Mystic Image Gallery
This little-known gem boasts serene waterfront gardens alongside heavenly views of the Sound. All are welcome to visit this 11-acre island, which is home to the Society of St. Edmund, an order of Catholic priests and brothers.
-
1/19photography by Caryn B. DavisThe lampposts, astrolabe and benches are all remnants of Alys’s creation.photography by Caryn B. DavisThe lampposts, astrolabe and benches are all remnants of Alys’s creation.
-
2/19photography by Caryn B. DavisDavid Santos’s spring color scheme features blue hyacinth, and red and white bleeding heart.photography by Caryn B. DavisDavid Santos’s spring color scheme features blue hyacinth, and red and white bleeding heart.
-
3/19photography by Caryn B. DavisDavid Santos’s spring color scheme features blue hyacinth, and red and white bleeding heart.photography by Caryn B. DavisDavid Santos’s spring color scheme features blue hyacinth, and red and white bleeding heart.
-
4/19photography by Caryn B. DavisFlowering plants are donated annually from area garden centers. Here petunias, marigolds and celiosa bloom in between Alys’s stone-and-concrete walks. Billowing blue hydrangeas tie the garden scheme together. The impressive Arts and Crafts-style house features bands of tile above windows and doors, and even on the underside of the tile awning.photography by Caryn B. DavisFlowering plants are donated annually from area garden centers. Here petunias, marigolds and celiosa bloom in between Alys’s stone-and-concrete walks. Billowing blue hydrangeas tie the garden scheme together. The impressive Arts and Crafts-style house features bands of tile above windows and doors, and even on the underside of the tile awning.
-
5/19photography by Caryn B. DavisFlowering plants are donated annually from area garden centers. Here petunias, marigolds and celiosa bloom in between Alys’s stone-and-concrete walks. Billowing blue hydrangeas tie the garden scheme together.photography by Caryn B. DavisFlowering plants are donated annually from area garden centers. Here petunias, marigolds and celiosa bloom in between Alys’s stone-and-concrete walks. Billowing blue hydrangeas tie the garden scheme together.
-
6/19photography by Caryn B. DavisOne half of the “Two Hearts” garden is full of pretty petunias.
-
7/19photography by Caryn B. DavisStegosaurus-like dinosaur walls back many of the flower beds, giving them extra shelter from offshore breezes.photography by Caryn B. DavisStegosaurus-like dinosaur walls back many of the flower beds, giving them extra shelter from offshore breezes.
-
8/19photography by Caryn B. DavisWhite lillies flourish in the coastal air.
-
9/19photography by Caryn B. DavisThe view east, off the end of Fisher’s Island, opens out to the Atlantic Ocean.photography by Caryn B. DavisThe view east, off the end of Fisher’s Island, opens out to the Atlantic Ocean.
-
10/19photography by Caryn B. DavisA chapel, dedicated in 2002, is the spiritual heart of the island. Harald Hefel, of Hefel Masonry, LLC, says, “Enders Island reached out to local contractors to make this church; its creation was like a family event.” Two hundred and fifty tons of stone came from a quarry in Franklyn, CT. Cornerstones were salvaged from a dismantled boys’ school in Rhode Island; just seven cornerstones remained when the chapel was completed.photography by Caryn B. DavisA chapel, dedicated in 2002, is the spiritual heart of the island. Harald Hefel, of Hefel Masonry, LLC, says, “Enders Island reached out to local contractors to make this church; its creation was like a family event.” Two hundred and fifty tons of stone came from a quarry in Franklyn, CT. Cornerstones were salvaged from a dismantled boys’ school in Rhode Island; just seven cornerstones remained when the chapel was completed.
-
11/19photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.
-
12/19photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.
-
13/19photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.photography by Caryn B. DavisViews from the arbor look out over dinosaur walls to Fisher’s Island Sound and Latimer Reef Light. Families, whose lives have been changed by time spent at Enders Island, have left memorial stones throughout the garden.
-
14/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
-
15/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
-
16/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
-
17/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
-
18/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
-
19/19photography by Caryn B. Davis
This article appears in the June 2013 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens).
