Stan Allured knows that when he sits down for a meal at Wyndemere, a retirement community for seniors in Wheaton, he’s in for a flavorful meal. The longtime Wheaton denizen knows this because it is he who takes and fills the kitchen staff’s orders for thyme, basil and other fragrant herbs he then plants in a small garden plot on the facility’s common grounds.
The plot Allured tends is one of 29 residents manage at Wyndemere, where tomatoes and squash on the vine grow alongside wildflowers. In one lush plot, a grasshopper can be seen perched atop a brightly colored ceramic mushroom. (Photos: Seniors ‘plot’ to bring vegetables, flowers to life)
Allured recently organized a garden walk for all residents to check out the plots on the common grounds as well as a larger neighboring garden that features native plants such as the Black-Eyed Susan and false indigo. Resident Joanne East, who is instrumental in the conservation committee at Wyndemere, was on-hand during the walk to educate visitors about the native landscaping.
“This is what our county had,” said East, gesturing to a tall prairie plant commonly known as Rattlesnake Master. “My godfather was a naturalist so (the interest) goes back pretty far in my family.”
The native garden was established three years ago with the assistance of the Chicago-based agency Clean Air Counts, which works with municipalities, businesses and other institutions to foster good environmental practices. According to the organization, natural landscaping requires less maintenance like mowing, fertilization and pesticide treatment, and as a result promotes cleaner air.
And while the garden plots have been a fixture at Wyndemere for a number of years, Allured saw the importance in hosting an event to showcase them.
“Some residents from the far side of the building didn’t even know this was here,” he said. “Doing this keeps me active with other residents who I wouldn’t otherwise know and the point of a lot of our activities is to bring more residents together.”
Even those with physical limitations can participate in the community gardens. Three garden beds are raised off the ground to accommodate those with restricted mobility, Allured pointed out.
“There’s something about taking care of something else that is fulfilling for our residents,” said Erin Donaldson, executive director at Wyndemere. “And for staff, residents and visitors, it’s something beautiful to look at.”
East agreed that the gardens and a nearby gazebo are a popular spot.
“I see a lot of people out here,” she said.
