Olson’s Garden Shoppe Reminds Us To Believe In Tomorrow

Ashlin Alexander is happy to work at Olson’s Garden Shoppe with mentor and friend, Cristie Peterson (not pictured)

New selections expand the possibilities

A blackboard sign near the front entry at Olson’s Garden Shoppe welcomes guests with a message of hope. “Believe in tomorrow,” it reads.  Sketched below it, a garden tool points the way. Sowing. Cultivating.  Planting.  Growing.  And, now, the selections to attain this are expanding as the family owned business adds new varieties to its shop at 1190 West 400 North, Payson.

Olson’s Garden Shoppe’s houseplant department has to be among the largest in south Utah County. Adding to their already impressive collection, a vast selection of new houseplants began to trickle onto the scene in April.  From drought tolerant to tropical plants, citrus trees, ferns, and thick-leaf crotons spillover containers thoughtfully arranged throughout the department.

The artistry of Cristie Peterson, Ashlin Alexander, Coralee Wilson, co-owner Chris Olson, and many others who work at Olson’s is obvious in the charming displays: brightly painted doors, arches with hanging plants and outdoor decorations, an old wooden chair and shelves seat houseplants that have been well cared for and loved.

“Houseplants add to the feeling, the ambience in your home,” Cristie explained.”[They] just give you an overwhelming sense of well being.  And it is interesting, they collect the dust.  Some of them will even take the formaldehyde out of the air.”

Part of the pleasure found in the recent additions by Cristie and fellow Olson’s employee, Ashlin Alexander, is the chance to increase their understanding in field for which they are passionate.  They research new arrivals, then impart their knowledge with customers.

“We have a lot of different varieties,” said Cristie, who confessed to feeling a connection to the plants, even talking to them from time to time.

Among them,  “Big ferns.  Plants in two inches and up to fourteen inch pots,” she said.  Too many to identify completely.  It’s something you have to see for yourself.

Some houseplants are molded gently into gift-giving pots and baskets, perfect for holidays, milestones, or funerals.  Signs, some functional, explaining the attributes of the plant life at Olson’s, others available for purchase, echo the positive sentiment etched in on the entryway blackboard.  A belief in tomorrow--hope--is restored with a visit to Olson’s Garden Shoppe in Payson through signage and life.

A moment, or two, spent in the splendor of the plants that breathe life into their surroundings restores vitality to the senses.  Their caretakers, whose passion for plants and life is apparent in their work, only add to the sanguine experience found at Olson’s.

Photos by Denise Windley (see more at Virtual Vaksen)