A friend of gardening is a friend of mine...



Debbie is professional and friendly while she flips the lens asking Mom a series of questions: "What is the smallest line you can read?" "Which lens is clearer: number one, or number two; number one or number two?"
Debbie retired once but returned to work; retirement made her restless. "It might be different if I had grandchildren."
What's the point of retirement sans grandchildren? Her daughter is married and chasing her career; no children are on the horizon.
"And, I could live without ever watching television."
I mention a few things I would like to do in retirement including gardening.
"I love gardening!"
I ask what some of her favorites are in the garden.
"I don't do vegetables. I like hosta and ferns. Foliage--I like foliage."
I hear that in Japan, they prefer foliage over flowers.
Debbie has visions.
She lives in an older cottage-style home in downtown Newnan.
"The house across the street is much prettier, but I think you create appeal when you put your own style in your home and garden." Debbie is just beginning to add her thumbprint.
She likes old things and prefers to shop flea markets to shopping at department stores.
Someone once drew a garden design for Debbie--never again. True gardeners agree no one else can quite capture what makes our hearts sing. This time Debbie will design her garden herself. She can see it and feel it.
"I want something green and flowing. Something people will see and appreciate the design."
I imagine we could have talked on and on about gardening if the doctor would have been willing to wait an hour to see his patient...
Debbie, it was a pleasure meeting you.
From one gardener to another, these are a few of my Atlanta area favorites:
-Picadilly Farm www.piccadillyfarm.com
-Wilkerson Mill Gardens http://www.hydrangea.com/
-Gardens for Connoisseurs tour http://atlantabg.org/v…/events/gardens-for-connoisseurs-tour (Next weekend!!)
(Please note the nurseries have seasonal hours.)
I hope Debbie finds me on LowTide. I forgot to mention Grower's Outlet. They sell small plants at a great price! I love large plants with huge rootballs only when someone else is digging the hole and planting. Grower's Outlet plants are easy on my pocket and gentle on my back - http://www.growersoutlet.com/
And what is a garden without garden accents? Carlos Montaño, owner of Casa Montano, is my favorite source of enchanting handcrafted garden accents - http://www.casamontanogardenornaments.com/
Enjoy.
And knock one back for Cinco de Mayo!

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