Betty Heine’s secret garden

Stepping onto Betty Heine’s patio in the Windcove courtyard is like stepping into a secret garden. It’s peaceful, filled with sunshine and just beginning to show its colors as her flowers mature for the season. 

False indigo is currently blooming and there’s a variety of texture and color from coral bells, the mounding habit of a balloon flower waiting to bloom, the long slender leaves of her daylilies and the geraniums, hostas and fluffy Elegant Feather - purchased on this year’s Western Home Communities trip to Ionia and transplanted in large pots.  

Betty's pots are a clever combination of color and texture.

“When I bought my apartment in 2004 [the year Windcove opened], I had a choice of a couple places, one with a patio. At first, I chose the one without a patio and then changed my mind,” Betty remembers. “I’m so glad I have the patio.”

This month a spectacular show of color will unfold from daylilies, tall phlox in purple and white, white iris, pink lace cap hydrangeas, blue delphinium, purple Veronica, Asiatic lilies, and a double Shasta daisy. One of Betty’s favorites is the deep purple daylily. Smaller flowers add additional interest like a small pink lily called Tiny Tim, hens and chicks, and red baby dahlias.  

When she finds time to relax outside, there’s entertainment from the antics of Mallards, robins, squirrels, and doves as they set up homes, chase each other or just wander through the courtyard.

Betty tends her garden often, moving plants to better light and creating space when plants become crowded. She even tends to garden space in Windcove’s large resident east garden where she planted 21 tomato plants last year and gave away tomatoes all summer. This year, she has four tomato plants including her favorite, Celebrity, and one grown from seed by her son-in-law. Oregano, lemon thyme, sage, and a “few” onions from her son grow in her garden space as well as rhubarb.

Betty gives a tour of Windcove’s east garden.

Betty enjoys gardening and says it gets her outside, away from the TV and iPad. The hobby has long been a family affair.  

“My father had a huge garden and the Ottumwa newspaper featured him in articles all year long. My four children also enjoy gardening,” says Betty.  “I love choosing plants. One of my favorite parts of gardening is standing and looking at it when it’s all weeded, planted and the flowers are in bloom.”

Betty tending to her potted plants.