ASHLAND — Scouting numerous yards July 31 drew Art of Gardening members to 1211 Berwyck Ct., Ashland, to compliment Norm Peterson on his landscaping.
The golden bushes by the driveway surrounding a weeping cherry enticed members to return Aug. 4 to recognize Peterson, 90, as August’s “Yard of the Month” winner.
The golden bushes are Japanese threadleaf false cypress shrubs.
Peterson was awarded $50 gift certificates from the club and Farm and Home Hardware along with an Art of Gardening sign to grace his winning yard. A Draftsman in his working years, he has lived at Berwyck Court 23 years. The lot was purchased new.
His wife, Stephanie, has been in memory care three months.
The August winner said he would sit and watch birds from his front porch but the Japanese maple kept growing and of course, had to be trimmed back. He also has a sunroom, a special place in back, to sit.
A grand tour of the yard was given to club members Sally Ahlers, Kathy Varner and Claudia Dunn. Lots of variety and family garden “heirlooms” were encountered along with numerous bird baths, big urns, hydrangea, rhododendron and hibiscus.
Peterson pointed out an antique urn. A row of arborvitae is featured on the left side of the back yard. A manatee mailbox from Florida sits next to the garage.
Charmaine Kaylor, daughter, keeps tabs on Dad daily. She put herself through nursing school when her husband passed away and is now a 10 year Wooster Community Hospital employee in inpatient rehab.
Eric Peterson of Atlanta presented his dad a hanging pine bush. Currently in France buying antiques he has plans to go to Moscow for sightseeing. Peterson said his son will visit him next week.
The Art of Gardening summer project runs through September.