In photo at right, Lorna Mullings, watering her plants, is passionate about her garden in the St. Andrew hills. -Carlington Wilmot photos"Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow," -Lorna Mullings
Carlington Wilmot, Freelance Writer
EVERY STEP you take, every breath you take is so fresh and clean.
This well kept garden with showers of scented roses and lush green grass is enough to captivate your mind, heart and soul. The enchanted garden is a comfort to 49-year-old businesswoman Lorna Mullings, a resident of East Kirkland Heights, Red Hills, St. Andrew.
Mullings lives on a 2 1/2 acre property, a quarter of which is filled with rose hibiscus, impatiens, ivy orchid, forbidden fruit and other plants and flowers.
When she started gardening 13 years ago, Mullings had only 25 plants. By the end of her second year, she had surpassed a hundred. The present tally is more than 300 plants situated around her house.
Mulling expresses how much gardening means to her: "I love my flowers dearly and they are very, very important to me. As soon as the sun rises I am in my garden singing and talking to the plants," she said. "From I've known myself I've loved flowers. Some people may say it's my strength but I strongly believe it's my weakness."
Her favourite part of the garden is called the Rock. It's where she goes to meditate in the evenings after work. Following meditation she sings and talks to the plants.
Her daughter Denise Mullings said she almost laughed herself to death the first time she heard her mother singing and talking to the plants. "It didn't come to mind that she was going nuts, it was a clear definition of how much she loves her plants.
"Her garden, I believe, is where she finds calm, peace and serenity."
Last year Mullings entered a small number of plants in the 2002 Jamaica Horticulural Society plant/flower show and won three first prizes and a cup. She entered again this year and walked away with five cups, 14 first prizes, seven second prizes and seven third prizes. Mullings is presently a member of the society.
Besides gardening she enjoys collecting old containers and antique (household items) that she paints in colourful floral designs. She places the decorated items throughout the garden, adding to its charm.
Mullings noted that her number one enemy was storm or hurricane. "Whenever I hear of hurricane watch, the first thing that comes to mind is my garden, especially the roses because I have invested a lot of money in buying roses."
She added, reciting part of a poem from her teatime book, which she uses as her motto: "Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow."
So you have a great garden, or know
someone who does. Let us know.
Call 932-6057 or e-mail lifestyle
@gleanerjm.com
