The courtship of Helen and Jerry Unruh was long-distance. “He had a florist deliver a rose to me every day,” Helen recalls. After two years, a bloom arrived with a card reading, “Will you marry me?” That was in 1975. Today, Jerry still indulges his wife’s love of flowers: They have 1,700 azalea bushes at their home in Odessa, Delaware—all squeezed onto their 1 1∕4-acre property. “They are such gorgeous things in the springtime,” says Helen. “It makes you happy you’re alive.”
Jerry, a World War II veteran, already had 85 bushes before they were married (he also built the house himself in the 1950s, with help from his brother). Helen recalls saying when she arrived, “Oh, I love them! Can we have more?” So he kept on planting.
But did they ever think they’d reach 1,700? “Not really,” admits Jerry with a laugh. Once they started, though, they couldn’t stop. They put them along the house’s foundation, around each of their trees (45 of them—maple, oak, beech, and pine—all planted by Jerry), up and down the hedgerow, and following the fence line.
At some point, there were just enough bushes to make the empty spots stand out. Jerry remembers thinking, “It’s kind of bare and scraggly looking, so we’d better add some more.”
The layout developed organically over the years as Jerry came across new bushes to acquire. He previously owned a well-drilling company in Middletown. The nature of the work was such that once the pumping process for a new well was underway, he had a little time to kill. If he had seen a nursery nearby, he’d pop over to investigate their stock. Often, he came home to Helen with azaleas in tow.
Sometimes, he’d even offer to buy plants out of the yards of his customers, who were usually happy to make a deal. “I bought
The website greengrove.cc is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
As a long-term advocate for organic growing, time and time again I come up across the same misconceptions about organic pest control and what it really involves. These myths can easily get in the way when we are trying to create healthy, beautiful, and productive gardens.
If you are wondering whether using Coconut Oil for Plants is possible or not, then the answer is yes, it is! Here are some fantastic Coconut Oil Uses in the Garden and Home for you!
Generally poisonous plants cause harm either by ingestion or touch. Both the phenomena are dangerous especially for people with certain allergy and sensitivity: dermatitis, nausea, vomiting, itchiness are usual symptoms. They can be harmful for pets too, that is why the best option is to remove them securely as soon as you find them in your garden.
When the late season garden starts to fade from summer’s heat, dahlias are one of the best choices to add delightful months-long displays of brilliantly colored blooms.The timing of these flowers is perfect!From July until t
Glycerine is an underrated component that can bring extraordinary results for plants. Head to the article to find some brilliant Glycerin Uses in the Garden!
Who knows, olive oil could be great for many things in the garden and at home. In this post, you will discover 18 advantages of Using Olive Oil in a Garden and various ways to use it!
Many of us are doing our part, big or small, to be mindful of sustainability, especially when it comes to our gardens. There are numerous ways we can reduce waste and encourage biodiversity while gardening organically. One way is in the selection of eco-friendly vegetables we choose to grow. Not every veggie crop is considered sustainable. The most sustainable vegetables are those that can be grown year after year, relying on local resources while minimizing their impact on the environment. Read on to learn about the best vegetables to grow for sustainable gardening.
Tiny microorganisms in the soil play a vital role in the plant’s overall development. If you too want to make the best use of them, follow these Tips to Increase Soil Bacteria in the Garden!