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Well, that is one way to conserve water and handle plant deaths. I am glad someone else is like me in that plants are a therapy for stressful times.
Come summer droughts and winter cold snaps, Bessie Williams' garden never dies.
At her Augusta home, Ms. Williams adorns the lawn, the front porch and every cranny in between with artificial flowers.
The decorative landscape of the white cottage with a red-tin roof is a testimony to years spent overcoming sadness.
"I had so much tragedy in my family, these flowers are kind of like therapy," Ms. Williams said, referring to the death of her two sons, daughter and husband.
Ms. Williams moved into the house with gingerbread trim 38 years ago, when her family members were still living.
When one tragedy struck after another, Ms. Williams' neighbor, Dorethy Yerby, encouraged her to spend time outside in the yard.
When she bought the house, which was built in 1896, the yard had no grass or bushes, Ms. Williams said.
Although sprucing up the yard helped her deal with grief, Ms. Williams said she didn't like it when the flowers died or she had to carry plants inside in the winter.
Instead of having an empty yard during the winter, Ms. Williams gradually began decorating the yard with hundreds of fabric flowers, which she bought at Fat Man's Forest, an Augusta florist and decorations store that recently closed its doors after more than 55 years in business.
"When an idea comes into my head, I work with it," said Ms. Williams, who also makes decorative butterflies and other gifts for her friends and neighbors.
Many visitors come to see the bright orange, pink and yellow flowers planted in pots and hanging baskets, Ms. Williams said. It is not uncommon for people to take pictures on her front sidewalk, especially during the Masters Tournament, she said.
"People say they like it. Some ask me to come do theirs," Ms. Williams said.
During the afternoons, Ms. Williams sits on her porch or yard swing, and enjoys the company of her neighbors, she said.
"They say it brightens up the neighborhood. It used to look so dull over here," she said.
Reach Meg Mirshak at (706) 828-2946 or meg.mirshak@augustachronicle.com.
BESSIE WILLIAMS
AGE: 68
BIRTHPLACE: Athens, Ga.; moved to the Augusta area in 1956.
HOBBIES: Growing fruits and vegetables, playing piano, singing and drawing.
QUOTE: "My neighbors mean everything to me. We share a lot of conversation."
Comments
Well, that is one way to conserve water and handle plant deaths. I am glad someone else is like me in that plants are a therapy for stressful times.
You'd think the house would look tacky, but all in all, she's done a good job. It does bring a smile to your face when you stop and look at all the stuff she's got going on.
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