o Dragon wing begonia. “They are big and showy in hanging baskets”
o Helleborus (Lenten rose). “They grow in the shade, are green all year and bloom in January and February when there are no other flowers.”
Favorite tomatoes
o Roma: Best for making sauce.
o Brandywine: Huge fruits and very sweet.
o Black Prince: Excellent flavor.
o Sun Gold: Very sweet orange cherry.
o Jet Setter: Early, high yield.
Hidden behind tall fir trees in Northeast Hazel Dell is the Crystal Creek apartment complex. But what is interesting about this community is the flower gardens around one section created by Bob and Teri Clark.
When they moved in more than 10 years ago, Bob Clark planted wildflowers and tall zinnias from seed in a 10-by-6-foot island in the driveway. After requests from neighbors, Bob and Teri planted a second 10-by-10-foot island with additional flowers from a local nursery.
Teri Clark has developed a shade garden behind their unit. It contains tubs and baskets of overflowing begonias and other trailing flowers mixed with ferns and other flora in the ground.
“I can hardly wait to get home from work and spend a couple of hours a day outside with my flowers,” Bob said. Teri spends at least half that much time outside.
Teri Clark uses her Master Gardener training and the Internet to get information and solve problems.
Apartment dwellers appreciate the beauty.
“They plan their walks so they can come by and see the flowers,” Bob Clark said.
They have helped many other residents develop flower plantings around their units. And they share their tomatoes and other produce with neighbors who stroll through the area.
Bob Clark's favorite flowers
o Zinnias. "I start them from seed and they get 3 feet tall with many colors. Zinnias last longer as cut flowers than most flowers."
o Dahlias from bulbs. They are big and beautiful and also make great cut flowers.
o Wildflower mixes. "You never know what's in it. There is something new every day"
Teri Clark's favorite flowers
o Black-eyed Susan. "They come back every year and bloom for a long time the latter part of the summer"
o Dragon wing begonia. "They are big and showy in hanging baskets"
o Helleborus (Lenten rose). "They grow in the shade, are green all year and bloom in January and February when there are no other flowers."
Favorite tomatoes
o Roma: Best for making sauce.
o Brandywine: Huge fruits and very sweet.
o Black Prince: Excellent flavor.
o Sun Gold: Very sweet orange cherry.
o Jet Setter: Early, high yield.
A neighbor who will be moving out shortly brought this thank-you note: “It has been a pleasure to have you as neighbors. Thank you for sharing your bounty with us, and for all the beautiful flowers to look at and enjoy. We will miss you very much.”
Those friendships bloom, just like the flowers.
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