At White Haven Memorial Park, we are much more than a traditional cemetery. There are no tombstones to interrupt the beauty of nature, only a green sanctuary for wildlife to thrive. If you have visited White Haven recently, you’ve likely noticed the beautiful flowers thriving across our grounds. This is thanks to the hard work of our employees and a fully functional greenhouse.
White Haven’s on-site greenhouse grows close to 15,000 annuals each year! The process starts in the fall with the selection of seeds for next year’s crop. White Haven’s Gardener and Director of Horticulture collectively choose an assortment of flowers that provide color and are easy to grow, such as zinnias, marigolds, geraniums and dahlias.
In February, propane heat is turned on in the greenhouse and the planting process begins. Staff members enjoy the change in temperature when they come in from their work outside in the snow and blustering winds. As the seedlings begin to sprout, some of the weaker ones need to be removed to help the others reach their full potential. It is a tedious job, but the reward is worth it as spring approaches and the blooms begin to form.
In late May, the flowerbeds throughout White Haven are turned over and enriched with compost. As soon at the weather permits, thousands of plants are carefully planted in precise patterns throughout the Park. Eventually, brilliantly colored plants brighten every corner of the Park and provide a warm welcome to all who come visit their loved ones or just want to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Amazingly, all this work is done by just a handful of very committed staff members, who also perform interments, shovel snow and maintain the rest of the Park and all of its buildings. The next time you see one of our employees out on the grounds, please say thank you to the for helping to make White Haven such a beautiful place to remember.
