Delaware subdivision plantings win blue ribbon

A Delaware man won a blue ribbon from the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society’s gardening and greening contest.

David Resende of Heritage Hills in Pike Creek won the ribbon, the top prize in his category of Public Spaces for the plantings he maintains at the entrance to the subdivision. He was featured in Moira Sheridan’s Sept. 11 column. His garden was one of 350 in nine categories visited by judges.

A lifelong neighborhood resident, Resende began a beautification project there in 2010 after becoming involved with the Heritage Grendon Civic Association. He started with his own money and labor, turning the plain Grendon Drive entrance into a colorful gateway.

Residents liked it so much, they began stopping while he was working and giving him $10 or $20 to help foot the bill. Now the neighborhood has a flower fund that covers the cost of plantings at the entrances at Grendon Drive, Heritage Farms and Grendon Farms. He also has help from teens and kids in the neighborhood.