Dear Reader:
Do you remember the day before yesterday when I was bragging on the number of morning glories blooming on one of my morning glory stalks… due to the recent rains…there were maybe five or six blooms? Well…check out the beauty of these morning glories that Anne showed me yesterday (title photo)…another Summerville history mystery unveiling with hidden treasures.
We had made plans earlier in the week to meet for lunch at Oscars Friday at noon. It was dark and overcast with sprinkles of rain falling intermittently throughout the morning and early afternoon when we arrived.
I had taken Anne an Azalea Summerville Magazine and a book written about our favorite Irish poet, John O’Donohue, by a friend (after his death) titled Walking in Wonder. Little did I know I would be ‘walking in wonder’ before the day was over. Another God Wink.
Anne asked me if I saw something quite wondrous, even magical, on the way to Oscars off Highway 78. I shook my head and told her ‘no’ I didn’t remember seeing anything out of the ordinary on the way to the restaurant.
Anne just grinned and told me I must follow her out of the restaurant parking lot when we left…she had something she must show me….so I did. I saw her turn into Daniel’s Orchard, a relatively new housing development that I love…lots of adorable homes, huge park and gazebo in the middle of the community.
She told me we would need to park and walk back out on the grass by the highway to see the surprise. We walked about fifty feet or so and suddenly there were gorgeous blue morning glories under my feet, around me, down a hill, and covering the tops of trees and telephone poles, and wires. Morning glories everywhere!
Looking down the hill you could tell there had once been a nursery there…the top of the wooden sign had broken off leaving only the words… Summerville Floral Nursery… but nothing else. Where the nursery was in proximity to Daniel’s Orchard…a fence was erected and locked off from the rest of the housing project.
Did the “orchard” in Daniel’s Orchard stem from the nearby nursery that once had shared this land before entering the new housing community?
If any of you Summerville readers know the answer to the mystery and/or the history behind this nursery that has left behind the most beautiful floral legacy to our town…I would love to know it!
What a fantastic adventure! I love it when adventures just literally ‘pop up’ in front of us and a regular day turns into something far more special.
So until tomorrow…”Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”– Helen Keller. How true, How true!
“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh
She Tris Sprint Triathlon – I’on Club –
| Distance: Swim 200 Yards, Bike 9 Miles, Run 2 Miles |
This morning…quite early…Mollie is participating in this year’s women’s triathlon…we are all rooting for you Mollie! You go girl!
ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Bless Mollies heart…you go girl!
Now…those blue morning glories must be a site to see. Wow!
That was George Segelkan’s (sp) nursery. He was the gentleman who developed the Pride of Summerville azalea that is so prolific in Azalea Park. It was open when I moved here in 1971 but I don’t know when he finally closed it. I am sure that many of your readers will be able to elaborate on that little bit of information that I recall.
I believe you are talking about the Segelken Nursery which Mr. George and Mrs. Evelyn Segelken ran for years. It may have been that location where Mr. George crossbred azaleas to come up with the Pride of Summerville azalea. He donated probably hundreds of these plants and others to help start the park in the middle of town. Traveling south from town, the garden on the left is filled with that particular azalea, and just over a little bridge is a plaque dedicated to him. The Nursery was later owned and run by his nephew, Carl H. Segelken. Carl is a member of our church and still lives with his family here. I may have some of my facts wrong, but Carl would be an outstanding source of information, and I’m sure he would have many stories to tell you. Think I’m correct in saying both Mr. George and Carl were born in Germany. I consider Mr. George and Mrs. Evelyn two of our outstanding early citizens here, and she was a very special lady to me.
I can’t wait to drive by and see this…I appreciate Jo filling in the details. I remember the nursery being there. Hope to see you soon…still recuperating.