|
Charles
and Rose Speicher
Cincinnati, Ohio
Charles and Rose Speicher
are the owners and caretakers of an accessible backyard
perennial garden in Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple has
been gardening together since they were married in 1978.
About nine years ago in 1994 when their two children
Sarah and Joseph outgrew the large ten by ten sand box
on their current property the area became available
for gardening. This was the beginning of the current
evolving perennial gardens that now encompass the entire
yard. Rose began using a wheelchair in 2000 because
of a neurological disease and wasn't sure if she could
continue her interest in gardening. Fortunately the
gardens continue to grow with the generous efforts of
her husband Charlie who renovated many areas by building
raised beds to make it easier for Rose to tend the gardens
from the wheelchair.
They have a variety of perennials,
both sun and shade. Rose uses many of the taller perennials
to make cut flower bouquets for her "Two for Tea"
parties. Some of her favorite varieties are Hesperis
matronalis, 'Becky' Daisies, Phlox paniculata, Echinacea,
Salvia, 'Blue Fortune' Agastache, Red valerian, Heliopsis
'Summer Sun', Japanese anemones, 'Fuji Blue' Platycodon,
Oriental lilies, irises and of course roses! Butterflies,
bees and hummingbirds are attracted to many of these
plants, which makes the garden a very active place.
Three years ago Charlie installed a small waterfall
feature surrounded by creeping jenny, acorus, and other
moisture loving perennials for the birds and squirrels.
He also tends the bird feeders that attract a variety
of birds the couple enjoys watching throughout the season.
Rose enjoys trying new annuals each! year and grows
several from seed including a variety of coleus, zinnias,
sunflowers and herbs. In addition, she collects hostas
and has many specimens and miniatures.
Charlie and Rose have not
limited their interest to gardening in their own backyard.
They are charter members of a Cincinnati garden group
called "Enabled Gardeners". The group meets
once a month to share their interest in gardening. Some
previous topics presented by guest speakers include;
ergonomic garden tools, enabling watering devices, building
raised beds and hypertufa troughs. During the summer
it is common for the group to go on fieldtrips to local
community and private gardens. They also have a holiday
party in December and a seed exchange in early spring.
It's a great place to meet new friends, share information
and learn something new.
Gardening is more than a
hobby to the Speichers, it's a way of life in which
their garden activities unite them with the rhythm of
seasons and the Creator of earth. Rose's illness presents
many challenges but the perennial nature of their garden
is a source of hope and comfort for the couple as they
nurture and tend to the plants that reliably return
year after year. Their garden motto derived from an
anonymous quote reflects their devotion to gardening,
"We come from the Earth, we return to the Earth
and in between we garden".
"We come from the earth,
we return to the earth
and in between we garden."
annonymous
Send us your Story:
YourStory@AmericanGardenMuseum.com
|
