Ed and Lyne Peterson's Place a Welcoming Sight; Named Yard of the Week

Yard of the Week Winner a “Welcoming” Sight

A simple, yet significant word, spells out across yard ornamentation at the home of Ed and Lyne Peterson.  “Welcome” is written as well as implied here, given the pleasing surroundings at their place in Payson, and one is immediately struck with the impression they are among friends when in this neighborhood.  It is this feeling of warmth, of being welcome, which has resulted in the Petersons having been selected for the honor of Yard of the Week.

The welcoming spot is the place the Petersons, both retirees from long careers with Nebo School District, have called home for thirty-eight years.  They raised their three daughters, Cortney (Hall), Rachelle (Hatfield), and Janae here, and enjoyed the pitter-pattering of feet from their grandchildren, who seem now to have grown up too fast.

Decoratively arranged plants and flowers, both inside and out, are evidence of their children’s adoration for their parents.  Among them are some of the gorgeous geraniums that are flourishing right now from pots propped in front of the home.

Other plantlife gifts they have received bear older fruit. These arrived onto the yard compliments of Lyne’s grandfather, the late Guy Bird of Springville, the man from whom she attributes her green thumb.

Grandpa Bird had cultivated a garden, fruit trees, and flowers that were renowned in his day.  “He was really good at grafting,” said Lyne, noting one of his more phenomenal of projects as resulting in a tree that grew bushels of apples on one side and pears on the other.  His gladiolus and peonies, too, were noteworthy and a welcoming sight to folks who sought them annually.

To Lyne and Ed, his plants were given.  A single rose bush has survived harsh seasons throughout the years since Lyn’s he gave it to the Petersons to plant in their Payson yard.  One single rose blooms each June, said Lyne, as if it is her grandpa, stopping by to say hello.

From the trees that flourished in his care came several apricot trees, though their lifespan came to an end at the Peterson home earlier this year.  Still holding strong, though, are two maple trees, one in their backyard and the other, out front.

Swaying in a swing beneath their frontyard maple tree, the Petersons oversee the fruit of their labor, work they refer to as therapy.  From here they can see the neatly trimmed lawn that Ed looks forward to mowing and the flower beds brimming with blooms and greenery under the care of Lyne.  They can reflect on memories built into a pleasant landscape, one which evokes a sense of belonging in them and all who come their way.