'Flowers became his Cure' - A Healing Garden

photo by Jan Johnsen

In 2006, the National Gardening Association in South Burlington, Vermont (I used to be a garden design consultant for them in the early 80s) decided to celebrate National Garden Month by inviting readers to share their garden tales for a "This is My Garden" Sweepstakes.

Here is one of the poignant and inspiring stories that they received:

Deciding to Cure by Joanne B.

Darryl, my husband, lived in what is now our home for 9 years before we married. Each fall I planted daffodil bulbs. He had no interest in planting anything. 

During the winter of 2004-2005 Darryl suffered a bad bout of depression. So that spring and summer flowers became his cure.

 Petunias in planter - created by Jan Johnsen

He built a planter at the front edge of the lawn, planted perennials and lots of petunias in hanging baskets and scattered large pots about the yard.

During the autumn we planted tulip bulbs and pansies in the planter. Darryl also planted hyacinths, daffodils and Asiatic lilies.

planters created by Jan Johnsen

Now kids walking by on their way to and from school stop to look at it all. Some have said funny things. Are they real? Are you selling flowers?

Adults slow down as they drive past. One sunny afternoon, a fancy car with a woman at the wheel stopped. I walked out to talk to her. Said she was just stopping to look at our beautful yard. Then she introduced herself as the mayor. I knew her name of course but had never met her. "We give beautification awards" said she.

National Gardening Association

A dull yard became a paradise simply because my husband decided to cure his depression with flowers rather than seek medical help.

Congratulations- Joanne B! I am on your team...Flowers rule. I wonder if you got a beautification award....So everyone: planting those bulbs now will give you a great smile at the end of a cold winter....