Members of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society combined their love of plants with some philanthropic spirit to spread holiday cheer to seniors in town. 

Ingrid Regier, Kim Mustill and Alice Rance met at June Floral & Garden early Thursday morning to load up 145 poinsettias for Niagara Long Term Care and Radiant Care Pleasant Manor retirement homes. 

While putting the boxes of flowers and cards together, Regier remarked how happy the residents looked when they saw her coming down the hall with the poinsettias.

“We think it’s lovely that we can give people in homes who can’t get out a bit of cheer,” Rance told The Lake Report. 

Rance and Mustill dropped their load of flowers off at Niagara Long Term Care and Regier went to Pleasant Manor. 

“We’re from the (horticultural society) so we love plants. This is our way of sharing what we love with people who can’t get out and experience Mother Nature,” Mustill said. 

Rance added that poinsettias last for a long time, so residents will be able to have a pop of colour in their rooms for the holiday season.

The NOTL Horticultural Society does another flower drop-off for seniors during the springtime when flowers begin blooming. 

The NOTL Horticultural Society is always happy to take in new members who are interested in helping out with community events like these — and you don’t have to be a gardening expert, Mustill said.

“I’m what I would now consider a light green thumb,” she said. 

Mustill said spending time in the community with other gardeners is a great way to learn.

juliasacco@niagaranow.com