Local gardeners are giving Gillette Castle’s conservatory some loving care, to spruce up the site prior to the holiday season. Samantha Van Jeune, of Chester, and East Haddam Garden Club President Jamie Burgess, of Haddam, are heading up the efforts.

The pair has been creating plant labels, developing informational sheets and adding period-appropriate greenery to the alcove within William Gillette’s eccentric, century-old home, nestled atop the “Seventh Sister” hill in Gillette Castle State Park, in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River.

“The garden community really is rising to the occasion with the conservatory effort, for which we’re extremely grateful,” said Lynn Wilkinson, president of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, in a release.

Those interested in helping with additional gardening efforts are being encouraged to send an email with the subject line “Gardening work” to workparties@gillettecastlefriends.org.