My name is Jolene (aka Jojo). Flowers have been a part of my life since childhood. My beautiful mother is a masterful flower gardener and designer. I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I’m an oncology nurse by day and a gardener and candlemaker by night. I adore container gardening, which is a necessity when you have a small space. I find peace and healing from container gardening. I call it my “dirt therapy.”
Most of the photos I take are inspired in the moment. Don’t get me wrong—I take planned photos, but the most beautiful ones are inspired by the feeling that is evoked at that moment.
This is my muse in the summertime, and I change her hairstyles throughout the summer. I love this lemon coral sedum (Sedum mexicanum ‘Lemon Coral’, Zones 7–11 or as annual). I change her hairstyles throughout the summer. I also love the way the shadows are in this photo. I had to snap some photos before the lighting changed.
This is Percy, our beautiful boxer—and a flower garden muse as well. On my days off, she waits by the door as I make my coffee and then leads me out to our flower haven.
Our steps need a little work. For now, we’ve made them whimsical by planting hens and chicks (Sempervivum, Zones 4–8) in the cracks of the concrete.
This was a lovely surprise one morning that stopped me in my tracks. I’m not quite sure if this is typical. (Editor’s note: This looks to be the flower spike of an Echeveria. Some species often flower in this general shape, but the perfect heart this one made is special and beautiful!)
We live in a row home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Ours is the only home on the block with a garden display. I’ve won the Lancaster City prettiest porch award for two years. I love when people stop and take pictures. Last year, a couple of people asked if they could take photos of their kiddos next to the flowers. This photo is from June 2020.
This is one of several braided hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Zones 9–11 or as annual) my beautiful mother bought for me. I put them in containers and underplanted them with creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia, Zones 3–9). This flower brought me months of joy. I’ve never seen this type of hibiscus.
The beauty of spring on a morning walk.
I love using unconventional planters such as this chicken feeder. My mother gave me a handful of sedum from her garden. I now have a plentiful amount that I share with friends and neighbors.
You can make beauty from broken things. I used some creeping Jenny to plant over the crack in the terra-cotta.
I am a candlemaker with a small business. I use flowers from my garden to add a special surprise for my customers.
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