Roses, pansies, poppies and petunias. Begonias, mallows, tiger lilies and lupins. These are but some of the flowers that can be seen showing their colours on the Beaverbrook property of Arnold and Joyce Christianson.
The two flower lovers have lived in town nine years this Sept, but the couple could previously be seen tending to gardens on their farm in Camp Creek as well.
“We’ve always, always had lots and lots of flowers in the yard,” said Joyce. “Even when we were on the farm. Arnold always worked up the flower beds for me, and he still does.”
The Christiansons work together as the perfect team. Each year Joyce helps plan out what flowers will surround their home.
The plants are chosen mostly based on whatever colours tickle the Christianson’s fancy, though there are other factors to take into consideration. Flowers planted on the north side of the house, for instance, must be able to bloom without much sunlight.
Joyce is also in charge of going out to purchase the flowers. Besides flowers given to her for Mother’s Day from her daughter in Whitecourt, the majority of the plants come from Barrhead.
“Most of our plants come from the Barrhead greenhouses, because we prefer to buy locally when we can,” said Joyce.
Once the planting process is finished, Arnold takes over.
“He does look after them, mostly. The watering and deadheading,” said Joyce. “Sometimes, depending on the rain, he’s got to come out and water every day.”
Watering the flowers is the biggest thing, added Arnold.
Up until last year, Arnold carried water out to flowers in front, behind, and beside the house. However their daughter was kind enough to hook up weeping hoses, which makes the task a lot easier.
Despite the property bursting with colour already, Joyce is never opposed to bringing home more flowers.
“I never like to go into the greenhouse because there’s always too many,” laughed Joyce. “I always come home with more.”
And she isn’t the only one.
“Every time we see a nice one Arnold says, ‘well we have another pot you know, we could put more in,’” said Joyce. “He is very proud of his flowers.”
The Christiansons have even rescued discarded and unwanted flowers, which they discovered in a “take me home” cart at the Barrhead Co-op.
“We have a little bit of everything,” said Joyce. “I would be lost without my flowers.”
Joyce’s love for gardening goes back to her childhood, as her mother always had a garden full of flowers. Over the years, lupins have become her favourite. And sweetpeas, for their scent.
Though her husband doesn’t have any favourite flower in particular, he did insist on planting a vegetable garden out back. Here they are currently growing potatoes, beets, carrots and radishes.
“Just enough to get a taste of fresh vegetables,” said Joyce.
