Interview with Bernice Ufford
By Jane Gulley
We have a special treat for this interview. One of our members, Bernice Ufford, came to our group from many miles away – New Zealand!
Bernice moved to the United States in 1982, but before she moved here she worked in a plant nursery with her mother. She started her nursing training in 1975 and getting her nursing degree changed the direction of her life. She came to America and has worked at the Arkansas Heart Hospital for 25 years. She and her husband live on 5 acres in Saline County. Bernice sent pictures of the long driveway at her home that has flowering trees, daylilies, roses, and other plants lining the way.
Like many of us, Bernice’s gardening experiences started with her mother-I noticed in the interview Bernice says Mum and not mom – as they walked around the garden. Bernice’s Mum taught Bernice the botanical names for the plants. Those early experiences influenced Bernice’s garden choices. She favors an English garden look and loves roses and daylilies. She is disappointed she has not had the luck her Mum had starting roses from cuttings.
Like the rest of us her goal is to get the weeds out of her gardens. Her weeding is helped by her Dutch hoe. A picture is included, but a Dutch hoe uses a push pull motion instead of a chopping motion. Bernice brought the head of her favorite hoe in her luggage on her trip from New Zealand!
I laughed when I saw the plant Bernice would like to grow in Arkansas. It is Rhubarb. Cindy Strauss had the same wish. Bernice has been successful growing Vitex and Golden rain trees on her property although she has many visiting deer. Her advice to new gardeners would be good for all of us to remember: Realize that gardening is work and that plants die sometimes no matter what you do… just keep trying. Bernice has beautiful gardens but her absolutely gorgeous handwork and paintings are a rare and special talent. She enjoys both pastimes when she is not gardening or reading “Secret Gardens of England”.
Bernice had a trip to England this summer. She and a fellow nurse- the nurse friend was from England- had a whirlwind trip. On their trip Bernice and her friend had a special treat. They got to meet Prince Charles and Camila. Bernice actually spoke to Prince Charles. What an experience!
Oh, I almost forgot, Bernice’s love of roses shows in her choice of her MG work. She is on the Mount Holly project.
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