The wealth of gardening knowledge and experiences in the Sun City community is vast and varied. Each and every day we all have the privilege to enjoy the beautiful plants that are in individual’s yards and the common areas. The colors, textures, smells and sounds invigorate and engage our senses. The Sun Flower Garden Club recently hosted a garden walk that featured 10 stops throughout the community. One stop was at the home of Boyd and Shannon Whitt. The Whitt’s live in neighborhood 27. With great thought and planning they have caringly developed an oasis of beauty. Given their gardening history, I thought it might be interesting to interview Boyd for this column.
1. When did you first begin gardening?
I remember starting seeds, marigolds and morning glory on my bedroom window sill when I was probably 11 or 12. My folks had a big vegetable garden but I seemed to lean to flowers. I certainly had to help with veggies.
2. Was there a particular person who influenced you and your love of gardening when you were young?
Oh yes, my dad. He was always pointing out things that were happening in the garden and nature. I remember sitting on our little back porch and his asking what I saw. If I said not much, which you only did once, he made me see animals, birds, new growth, kinds of trees.
Always something to see. He also taught me care of tools. I still have his tools and they are like new or close to that.
3. Is there a particular plant that you have fond memories of growing when you were younger?
Sun flowers and morning glories, sweet William and salvia.
4. Can you describe an area of your yard that you are particularly proud of?
Oh boy, it changes as things bloom. I guess I care for them all.
5. What were some of the goals that you were trying to achieve when you first started landscaping your yard? Have you achieved those goals? How did you achieve them?
When we moved here it was really my goal to be traveling in our motor home. For several reasons we really liked it here so we sold our place in Florida and the motor home and settled here year around. I really did not have a long term goal. Just many short term ones. Each year a new area. I am so happy with our results. Sitting on our patio with Cole(my dog) & coffee is about as nice as I can imagine. It is so relaxing. I am blessed with about the only planning I do is which seeds to plant and how long to hold Cole.
6. Do you grow any of your own plants from seed? How do you do this?
When do you start? Years ago I had a very nice greenhouse. At some point, maybe 8 years ago I thought I would try starting seeds under lights. My little shelving system has evolved and this year I probably started 250 plants. Mostly annuals. I can spend hours online looking at possible seeds to start. I like to order from the Swallowtail Garden Seeds Company for many of the seeds I buy.
7. What is your favorite place in your yard?
My patio with Shannon & Cole.
8. Do you attract any wildlife into your yard?
Yes, had a great heron one morning. Young foxes, many birds, squirrels and of course gophers and rabbits
9. Have there been any particular successes or failures in your yard?
What have you learned as a result of these successes or failures?
Any time I discuss gardening or starting seeds rule number one is don’t get discouraged. I have had as many failures as successes. But I try unique seeds and plants. I just never feel like I failed if something I plant does not make it.
10. Do you have any plants that are fragrant in your yard?
Probably the mock orange right now. Roses, Peony’s, nicotiana (not this year), phlox, lily of the valley, hyacinth, heliotrope, alyssum.
Author’s Note: Boyd, thank you so much for your input. I have learned so much by this column and will make it a point to ask Mary ‘What she sees’ as we spent the next two days driving along country Illinois roads making college visits.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
