By Steve Lathrop
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Monday, August 18, 2008 12:00 am
Paula Gardner took her advice and opened Isabella's Garden
It's usually a good idea to do what your mother tells you. Following mom's advice certainly led to good things for Paula Gardner.
"She told me to do something with the garden. I'm glad I did," Gardner said.
The garden that she began eight years ago while caring for her mother, Lillian Lauenstein, has become even more personal since she opened her business, Isabella's Garden, in June.
Named partly for a curious rabbit that visited her garden and partly for Isabella Gardner, an outspoken turn-of-the-century social leader and art collector, the floral design and gift shop combines her two loves - planting and fine arts.
"I started out in art and did some shows but I've been involved in all aspects of gardening for 30 years," said Gardner, who runs the shop from her home. "I started this on a whim after mom passed away."
She said that putting her two talents together has worked well. She creates original floral designs for individuals and events and also has order-in florals available for what she can't grow herself.
Most of her product comes directly from her three acre garden designed and planted from scratch in 2000.
"I did the terracing, stone work and all the digging and planting myself," she said. "It was meant to be a working garden. I planted it with floral arranging in mind."
In just over a month, she has expanded her floral shop to include gifts, but it is the flowers that bring her the most pleasure.
"I love to design for specific orders…to learn about people and then build an arrangement for them," says Gardner.
Designs can be as small as hand bouquets or as large as patio pots. Gardner has experience in wall decoration and patio design. She says she can create something for every price range.
Help comes from her fiance Brian Olson and her son Charles, who provides photography. A new website was designed by Brian's 17-year-old son Matt. Her oldest son William is now in Australia after serving in Afghanistan. She gets day-long companionship from her 10-year old dog Sydney, who also models.
"You see more and more pets in weddings and at events these days. Sydney helps me show how we can dress pets up with florals."
Gardner says feedback from the community has been positive and she offers classes, tours and consultation through the business.
According to Gardner, there are regular visits from deer who eat on the perimeter of the garden although one doe has learned to bump open the gate latch and get inside. It's part of the charm.
Gardner says she will provide after-hours service by appointment. Expanding beyond what she has now isn't too likely, however.
"I wanted this just for the community," she said. "I plan to put up some signs to help people find me."
Once you are there, finding her isn't too difficult. She is almost always on site unless she is making a delivery.
"I'm here working on something," she emphasized. "I grew up outside. I could never see myself in an office."
Isabella's Garden is located at 1490 Grand Ridge Drive in North Albany and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Additional information is available by phone at 928-0121 or on the website at www.isabellasgarden.info.