MonticelloLive

The best fertilizer is the gardener’s shadow. ~Author Unknown

For one Monticellonian, gardening is a way of life. What started as spending time with her grandmother grew into a deep love of the outdoors and gardening. This is Estrallyn Jone’s story.

Estrallyn grew up in Monticello. Her mother was a school teacher and her father worked in a grocery store. Because her parents worked she spent much of her time with her grandmother, Thella Hankins. Thella was the President of the Garden Club in her day and did not neglect to teach those who came behind her the art of gardening. Not all who learn are blessed to have a green thumb, but for Estrallyn gardening came easy.

While raising her family, Estrallyn lived in Lacey. She lived on eight acres and found many ways to use the land. She had a large garden she used to feed her family. A gazebo in her yard was adorned with her favorite tropical plants and ferns. All the flower beds were beautifully covered with plants. She and her family also had a love for animals. She raised many different animals and eventually created a menagerie. The animals that she took care of were deer, beaver, bears, chicken, ducks, raccoons and fox. Local people would visit her land to see the animals but always left awestruck by her immaculate yard. At one point a local paper came to feature the animals, but her yard instead was the main attraction.

After her two children were grown, Estrallyn went another route with her love of gardening. She began working outside the home by helping others with their gardening adventures. She has helped many around town with flower selection. She is perfect to give advice on where flowers should be planted. She has spent the last 12 years at Greenscape Nursery owned by Terry Hopper. She orders all the plants. She sets up the displays at the store. She also runs the office and does the bookkeeping. She travels to Louisiana and Arkansas to bring back the best products for her customers. Estrallyn prefers to be outside and finds her line of work therapeutic. Ironically, her own yard is now neglected. She spends most of her time in town helping her many clients. Her advice for the local gardener is that it is too early for Periwinkles. She predicts the weather will stay cool until after Easter, so hold off to plant your bedding plants.

Estrallyn has six grandchildren. It is too early to tell if any of hers will follow in her footsteps. But she is grateful for what legacy her grandmother left behind. The love of gardening and the great outdoors has brightened many days for her and those she has helped around town. Estrallyn Jones - One Monticello Life.