By R. Rodgers
It all started with a tiny cactus and a girl who loves to shop! Allison Sjolund has always loved and cared for indoor plants, beginning with cacti at a young age and continuing on from there. Her home is filled with trees and plants all thriving in their surroundings and nestled in just the right places. “I love to shop,” said Allison. “We went to Lake Street Gardens for a couple of things and stumbled onto their outside plants!” A perennial gardener was born! “I have always been a house plant person until we moved here. I was amazed at the variety of outside plants available!”
Allison and her husband John moved to a new development in Windham 7 years ago. After their experience at Lake Street, all the contractor shrubs came out, and Allison designed her own landscape for their new home. She joined the Windham Garden Club just before Covid hit and met a few members. When she was able to return to the group, she was overwhelmed by the greeting she got, thinking that she would have been forgotten. Robin Heider, long time member, welcomed her with a smile and a hardy hello. She continues to attend meetings and helps out with the Plant Sale. Allison also writes press releases for the Club and keeps the community informed of the Garden Club happenings.
The Windham Garden Club offers a variety of education through monthly meetings with timely topics, member mentoring, and various “digs” that give members hands on learning. Allison has been able to expand her perennial knowledge and her garden by joining this club. “I love the plant sale for inexpensive plants. It’s so fun and you learn stuff!” said Allison.
Allison leans towards trees and shrubs outside as she does inside. One of her favorites is Rose Mallow Hibiscus, which comes up late. It always worries her and everyone else! Clematis is on her list of fav’s and so is Spiderwort. A word to the wise had her corralling that super spreader in! Touring the garden found many special treasures, – a sunken firepit surrounded with flowering shrubs, a built-in herb shelf right off the deck, and wide open space with soft color sculpting the lawn. Truly a perennial landscape to behold.
At the seven-year mark, some of her bushes are getting to the overgrown stage. Ever the hands-on learner, Allison has hired an arborist to come teach her how to properly prune them. Her “Magic Wand” wish would be for “Good Soil.” Allison shared that her soil is a little rocky and sandy. Every gardener has been there at some point, and she will overcome this problem along with the next.