A Note from Scott and Marsha
April 2, 2020
In the middle of everything going on, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mrs. JoAnn Davis, the previous owner of For Garden's Sake. We have shared some stories in the past and history of FGS. We knew this time was coming in the last few months. She would have celebrated her 89th birthday in May.  This year, we planted over 300 red tulips (her favorite) all over the property. Little did we know this would be a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady.  

My words (Marsha): Mrs. Davis hired Scott as General Manager in 2010. This was a hard time of transition for our family and actually very hard on Scott as the direction he thought he was going turned upside down on him. Mrs. Davis was a blessing in countless ways to our family. Scott learned so much about himself and as a leader while rising to many challenges at FGS. I was so grateful for the freedom Mrs. Davis gave Scott, which he truly needed. She was hands-off in many ways, and it gave Scott the ability to thrive and grow since he has an entrepreneurial spirit. She offered words of wisdom at times when Scott was questioning direction or himself. He would return home and say, "She said this to me today. She had no idea she answered something I had just prayed about this week." Mrs. Davis was generous, kind, compassionate, incredibly witty and a lover of all things beautiful. She was a die-hard gardener and loved her flowers. She had the patience for orchids, for goodness sake!  Our evenings with her over a glass of wine in the past year will always be cherished and remembered in my mind and heart. She was truly a lady of her time.  

My words (Scott):  I still remember the first time I met with Mrs. Davis in early 2010. My interview was conducted at a table in the kitchen of her home. That initial interaction would set the tone for many years to come. I often had the opportunity to share lunch with her at that table or at one of her favorite restaurants nearby. We would talk about all sorts of things, and it was always so interesting when she would recall stories of her life and share them. She was generous with her time and resources. For many years, she owned a home on the water in the Outer Banks. Our family has shared many memories there over the years as a result of her kindness and our own children recall those times frequently. 

We shared some things in common. I lived in Lakeland, Florida until we moved here 11 years ago and as it turns out, she and her family also lived there for many years. We often shared stories about landmarks in the town that we both remembered which made for fun conversations. As Marsha mentioned, our visits eventually turned into us stopping by (usually on a late afternoon) to enjoy a glass of wine or two with her and giving her an update on how things were going at the garden center and with the business. We always wanted her to continue to see the growth of the company that she began so many years ago.

There is so much more I could say but you get the point--she was pretty amazing. The truth is, I miss her already, but I will always have such fond memories. She will always be remembered here for years to come as FGS continues its mission to enrich our customers' lives just as she did with everyone she met. (The picture above was Mrs. Davis dressed as the Easter Bunny handing out candy to children at the garden center in the early 2000's--just an example of how fun-loving she was and loved being a part of the day to day activities!)

Rest in peace, Mrs. Davis. We will carry your gardening love and legacy on at For Garden's Sake. Thank you for sharing your life and giving us room to grow and flourish. You shared months ago how proud you were of us and our hard work. Marsha and I will carry that close to our hearts and we will garden on.  We will continue helping others #bringgreenhome and share the love you shared with us.   
WE REMAIN OPEN
Friends, we wanted let you know that we fall under the essential business category and will remain OPEN for your convenience. We also remain committed to the idea that being outside and gardening is such a great way to relieve tension and anxiety during this time. Bringing green home right now might be just what you need to enjoy your space, since we will all be spending a lot more time there in the coming weeks. We are very aware of the concerns related to this virus and take them very seriously. For more information regarding how we are taking measures to protect our employees and customers, please CLICK HERE .
We are now offering curbside pick-up and delivery (we have always offered a delivery option, by the way) !!! You can check out our inventory online here , place your order from the comfort of home and pick-up your order or have it delivered! Delivery within 10 miles is $35, 11-20 miles is $50. We can't wait to serve you in this way!
HANGING BASKETS
You're at home now more than ever. Wouldn't you enjoy seeing beautiful hanging baskets on your porch or patio? We have a variety of baskets in stock--petunia, snapdragon, and bacopa. The snapdragon baskets are simply stunning. They are a variety of snap dragons that trail, unlike other upright varieties. We also have gorgeous Boston Ferns and silvery-purple tradescantia (also known as Spider Wort or Wandering Jew). These baskets can also be used on tables or stands.
HERBS AND VEGGIES
Now is the time to get many herbs and veggies in the ground. It has been such a beautiful and early spring, so don't miss out on it! We have many tomato varieties, as well as broccoli, beets, peppers, lettuces, and more. Don't forget to grab basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, or your favorite herbs to cook or cocktail with. Herbs and veggies have been flying off the shelves, so make sure to follow us on social media to find out when we receive new shipments.
FLOWERING ANNUALS ARE IN!
We love watching the Garden Center transform into pinks, purples, yellows, reds, whites...so many colors! We know you can't wait for your garden beds to be bursting with spring color as well. We have petunias, bacopa, begonias, lantana, coleus, and so much more! You can shop in our store or online for curbside pick-up or delivery . More annuals are arriving weekly, so if your favorite isn't in stock yet, it likely will be soon.
UPGRADE YOUR LANDSCAPE
April is the perfect time to schedule a consultation for landscape design. Are you dreaming of a landscape that is easy to maintain? A beautiful paver patio to entertain friends? A solution to the drainage issue you have? All of the above? Schedule a consult today! Our designer can come to your home and maintain safe distance or even speak to you over the phone as he walks your property. For more information and to schedule a consult , visit our website !
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Due to our current situation, we are putting all classes and workshops on hold until further notice. If classes are canceled and included a fee, a full refund will be issued. We will notify any participants of these changes well in advance.
READ OUR BLOG
Now is a great time to plant trees and shrubs ! For our tips and suggestions, don't miss this post on tree and shrub planting !

If you are planting tomatoes soon, you won't want to miss this post on Growing Tomatoes . We have many varieties of tomatoes in stock in the Garden Center now! So get your planting on!
FOLLOW US!
We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with the latest information about what we are up to, what's in stock, or all the fun we're having!
For Garden's Sake | 919.484.9759| www.fgsdurham.com