Past Winners

The Garden of Catherine Persson

September Garden of the Month – AGC

“Grow to Inspire – Inspire to Grow” – Atkinson Garden Club’s Motto

Congratulations to Catherine Persson of 47 Academy Avenue, Atkinson, NH for being selected as recipient of the AGC award for September Garden of the Month. Catherine is only one of many octogenarians who actively garden with a “green thumb”. She has won numerous awards for her “Kelvin Floodlight” yellow dahlias and “Emily Paul” purple dahlias. Her roses have taken many blue ribbons at the Topsfield Fair and in horticultural divisions at State and local flower shows. Catherine says she’s not an expert but simply an amateur gardener with luck. She commented that if a plant doesn’t grow in one spot she moves it to another until it’s happy with the soil, sun and her loving care. She says her secret is to nourish the garden in the spring with humus and compost.

Her garden is in progressive bloom form spring until late fall. If you view the Spring garden in the front of the house and stone wall it is a venue of perennials including spring iris, tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, and Crocus. Late June the peonies bloom followed by phlox in late summer along with the rose of Sharon and hibiscus at the corner of the lot. As each season comes and goes so do Catherine’s flowers in the garden. Each has its own time to shine for those who pass by and on occasion stop to compliment her on her achievements. Now as you view her garden you can see the dahlias, roses, cryptanthus, and variegated coleus. Hostas are disappearing – literally. Catherine’s pet peeve is the little varmints who eat her hosta roots. She doesn’t worry so much as she finds hostas very hardy and they will re-root themselves. Be sure to check her garden next spring and feel free to walk in for a close view.

Catherine is living proof that gardening keeps you young. She’s a real do-it-yourselfer!