How our Growing Passion for Plants Grew to Support Bees and Butterflies
My Italian grandfather always kept a garden—herbs, figs, and cucuzza (all of which I still do). My other grandfather, on the other hand, cultivated a much larger and more elaborate vegetable garden that started as a small victory garden. My mother was also one of those “crazy plant people”—always pulling weeds and very good with plants, both indoors and outside.
My love for plants has spilled over to my office (outdoors and in), where I have cultivated a nice collection of plants that have acclimated well to the landscape and indoors. Real plants in the house have always given me a sense of place and comfort. Maybe this was just growing up surrounded by my mom’s plants, which I still associate with her love. They help me relax, and I hope this is the same for patients.
Garden Photo Gallery
That brings me to the flowers across from my office. When the weather is nice, my office and I go on walks in the neighborhood. I had my eye on a vacant property across the street from my office, and then I had an idea.
I met a landscaper, John Braud, through Clegg’s. He has been helping me with my projects for several years, so I presented him with the challenge of a pollinator garden in hopes that it would not only give butterflies and bees a little something but also give drivers some joy during commutes.
We all know that nature brings joy, and it did just that.
It was beautiful at the beginning of spring, but I never thought we would receive calls of gratitude and notes that it was making people's days on their drives.
We hope to continue this project with John. We are grateful that so many people enjoyed them.
