Puckett

by Jesse Crow

Step in to an oasis in the middle of Fondren. The Everyday Gardener is a beautiful treasure in the midst of restaurants, salons and gifts shops. Beautiful plants in every hue of green and vibrant seasonal flowers surround the room. Southern garden artistry is showcased along the walls and in the windows–making it feel like customers are actually spending time outside in a garden. The store and staff have Southern charm, but with a funky Fondren twist.

The Everyday Gardener began 21 years ago across the parking lot from its current location in Fondren Plaza. At that time, their current building housed The Everyday Gourmet, and before that, it was a service station.

Susie Puckett began working at The Everyday Gardener about three years ago when she bought part of the business, which was started by her Mother-in-Law, Carol. “I’ve just always had a passion for flowers,” Puckett said.

Puckett has a rose garden in Fondren where she grows around 40 different varieties of rose hybrids. She has been involved with the Mississippi Old Garden Rose Society, the floral guild at St. James Episcopal Church and has taken floral classes at Millsaps College and in New York.

The Everyday Gardener specializes in gardening needs and floral arranging. The staff can arrange potted plants and fresh flowers for events. Customers can even bring their own containers for the store to have arrangements made. They also deliver arrangements.  If a particular plant or flower is not in the store, The Everyday Gardener will take special requests. “We always have access to succulents and orchids,” Puckett said.

The shop offers a bridal registry and a large selection of Southern artisan gifts for the garden. They have work from Pearl River Glass Studio, bottle trees made by Stephanie Dwyer and Wolfe Birds from the Wolfe Studio, just to name a few.

They also host spring and fall classes, workshops, floral demonstrations and book signings to get the community involved. “We’ll have classes in floral arranging, Easterscapes, Mother’s Day arrangements, succulents, seasonal wreaths and tablescapes,” said Puckett. Most of them are free.

Puckett explains her love for this place. “Fondren is the most unique neighborhood in Jackson. It’s artsy, funky, and eclectic, and that’s why I like it,” she said.