The constant gardener

Joann Miller, a Sun City resident, loves to garden, and her beautifully planned gardens are proof. At 94 years old, she confirms that gardening can be good for your health, happiness, and quality of life.

Miller said, “In August, I will have lived in Sun City for 20 years. My next-door neighbor, Diane, moved in on the same day. We love gardening.”

Miller has been a cherished member of the Sunflower Garden Club since her arrival in Sun City. She fondly recalls, “I enjoy my Buddy Group and all the activities. I cherish the beautiful Christmas decorations the Club is responsible for in the lodge.” The Club’s sense of community and shared passion for gardening have been a significant part of Miller’s life in Sun City.

The Sunflower Garden Club hosts an Annual Garden Walk, which this year took place on July 13. Eight homes were featured on the Garden Walk this year, and Miller’s house was one of the showcase homes. Miller has been part of the garden walk for many years.

Miller’s pride in her gardening achievements is palpable. She recounts, “Each home in the Garden Walk was identified with a wooden sunflower. We had three sunflowers almost door to door, identifying homes in the walk: mine, Sandy Keehn’s, and Linda Potirus’s. On Thursday, before the walk, we had a preview scheduled. There were two shifts. I was coming home, and many cars were lined up in our area. I was walking toward my home, and someone stopped me and asked, ‘Is this yours? It’s beautiful.’ It was all worthwhile. It brought tears to my eyes.” Her joy and pride in her garden’s recognition is truly inspiring.

Each year brings gardening challenges, and this year was no different.

Miller said, “I had trouble with rabbits eating all the blooms and leaves. I put plastic forks around the small plants to protect them. It worked, but you can see that some of the forks moved when the rabbits tried to get at the plants.”

Miller always loved gardening, but with raising three kids and keeping up with their activities, she only had a little time to devote to the hobby. 

“My dad was into gardening. He loved his roses. I get a lot of help from my daughter, son, and neighbors. When I am out with some flower pots, my neighbors always ask, ‘Do you need help?’ My son digs holes for my bigger plantings, and my daughter shops with me. We have traveled to get plants she found online at a nursery. Once, we got so many plants, we filled the car and couldn’t fit anything else in it if we tried.”

Beyond this, Miller feels as though being in the garden is healing.

“I have issues with back pain, but when I garden, I don’t notice it,” she said. “Gardening gives me a lot of pleasure.”

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