| Jacqueline plays guest chef at our Glorious Gardens |
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Victoria guides a hands on workshop. Mint shower bouquets everyone? |
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Vic talks butterflies on a sunny summer morning |
As you flip through our pages you'll note that there are two Glorious Gardens sites. The original Glorious Gardens is located in Maysville, Georgia. It's owned by Jacqueline Craven. The Gobles, Michigan site is owned by Victoria Larke -- that's me. Jacqueline is my sister.
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We grew up on a 50 acre gladiola farm in Bloomingdale, Michigan. Our parents, Miles and Helen Foune initiated us in the "growing arts" at a very early age. We planted, weeded, cut the flowers, graded and bunched the flowers, sometimes sold the flowers, dug the bulbs, cleaned the bulbs, packed the bulbs for shipping, then started over again with the planting, weeding, etc. There were no idle hands in the Foune Family. In it's hey-day, our family had over 300 acres under cultivation ...That's a whole bunch of gladiolas. Though glads were our main stay, we also grew dahlias, yarrow, liatris, peonies and numerous other perennials. |
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Glorious Gardens spent a summer at the Family Farm. In 2004 we (sisters) inherited the Farm, restored it and resold it to a family member. These are our before & after photos. |
We each left the Farm (as our parents sighed in relief) to pursue other careers, raise families and finally get out of the dirt. However, the pull of growing things is strong. We often returned to lend a hand and eventually Jacqueline and I began businesses where growing is an integral part of what we do.
About Victoria and Glorious Gardens (North) in Michigan... Along about 2000, Daddy said to me, "Honey, you're no spring-chicken. If you're going to have your own business let's get you started." So, we transferred loads of plants from his stock to my property and, as a part-time venture, sanwiched between my full-time school accounting job and family life, our Glorious Gardens went public. I didn't sleep much between April and November! In 2005 I retired from the daily grind and with the help of a totally supportive husband, have been playing in the dirt ever since.
I am a "lapsed" certified Master Gardener (Class of 2001). You too can pursue this program through your local Extension Service. It's great for networking. You'll be subject to allot of theory, moments of practical knowledge and a wealth of resources. My continuing education consists of networking, numerous workshops, extensive reading and plenty of experimenting. When you visit the Gardens, you're really stepping into my "laboratory".
Our Glorious Gardens Programs range from gardening-light to grub-in-the-dirt- serious. Ten years of Events have covered a wide variety of subjects. In the beginning there was Fall Fest, Iris Walk and Herbal Excursion. Buds and Birds, Down n' Dirty, Mother the Gardner, Sister's Celebration, Breakfast with the Butterflies and many others have filled our seasons' calendars. We combine education with a bit of entertainment. Love to see our guests smile ... guffaws are always welcome Check our current Glorious Events and Programs/Services pages for additional details.
Jacqueline's interests are expanding. She and her husband Ron are well know for their comprehensive landscape design and maintenance services. Before moving to Georgia, they owned Second Summer Greenhouse in Valparaiso, Indiana. They continue to grow indoors and out, enjoying the variety and abundance of Georgia's prolonged growing season.
Jacquelyn is a gourmet chef, incorporating oodles of fresh herbs in her recipes. Though we're still waiting for her cookbook, we now feature Jacquelyn's Savory Seasonings in our shop. They are her signature herb mixtures for everything from chili to cheese spread! AND you get snip-its (recipes) from her cookbook on every package.
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