Garden situated among perennials is art
The dwarf sits outside his tree trunk hut, tiny mushrooms decorate a large rock border, and a sign in front of an A-framed home says “Fairies Welcome.” And something’s been added recently. Tiny American flags dot the landscape, along with a flag bench, a patriotic banner, and a red, white & blue pinwheel. This miniature Fairy Garden is one of the many ways that Grandma’s Gardens sets itself apart from other gardening companies in the Miami Valley.
Artist/floral designer Karen Poole of Centerville is in charge of keeping the site cleaned up and appropriately themed for the holidays.
“Everybody helps; last Christmas when I was busy with tree sales one of the cashiers put snow down,” said Poole, who has worked for GG’s over the past two years. “I enjoy every aspect of my job. It’s everything creative; it’s fantastic. I get with Donna and we can order our garden stuff, which brings in more creativity for me.”
She’s talking about Donna Trent, the longtime buyer/ gift shop manager for GG’s. She was partially responsible for setting up the miniature gardens there.
“There was a lady who used to work here, her name was Ginny Fischrupp. She and I both went on her annual public garden tour in Centerville. She was a very good customer, and we’d have lunch dates with her and her mother,” said Trent. “She was featured on a PBS show and Better Homes & Gardens for her miniature garden. That gave us the initial idea.” Artist/floral designer
According to Trent, it was very hard to find miniature decorations when they started the garden about 8-9 years ago. They would have to settle for little doll houses. But now that it’s a new trend, there are a lot of companies who sell miniature accessories.
Marybeth Taggart moved from Chicago in ’93, and did the retirement thing for awhile until she got bored. She liked working with plants, and a friend suggested GG’s. She obtained an entry-level job there 21 years ago, and two years later the owners wanted her to take over the advertising duties.
“Everyone just floats to the place they need to be after a while. We are a family-friendly destination,” said Taggart. “Our fountains and pottery are top of the line, and we get shoppers from as far away as Springfield, Wapakoneta, and Lima. We also pull in customers from northern Kentucky and Richmond, Indiana.”
This year marks the 39th for this company, located at 8107 Ohio Rte. 48 in Waynesville. It was voted “Best Garden Center” from 2014 to 2017 in polls by Dayton Magazine readers. The business was founded by Doug and Paulette Rhinehart.
‘Everybody helps; last Christmas when I was busy with tree sales one of the cashiers put snow down. I enjoy every aspect of my job. It’s everything creative; it’s fantastic. I get with Donna and we can order our garden stuff, which brings in more creativity for me.’