By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
When Monsignor Robert Wargo was a young boy, his mother would regularly pick flowers from their yard for him to present to his teachers and neighbors.
Through the years, he developed an appreciation for the cheerful annual flower and soon after his mother’s death in 2013, Monsignor Wargo attempted his green thumb at growing the flower.
That flower, a marigold, which derives its name from “Mary’s gold,” inspired Monsignor Wargo to plant a few in honor of his mother on the parish grounds.
“Marigolds are a beautiful flower. There were my mother’s favorite. They make everything look bright,” he said.
After planting his first set of marigolds, which bloom all summer long, a parishioner advised Monsignor Wargo to dry the buds and retrieve the seeds. He did so and began growing them inside during the winter in preparation to be transplanted outside the rectory and church.
He reaped an estimated 50 flowers and continued to dry the buds and retrieve the seeds each year.
This season, with the help of staff and parishioners, Monsignor Wargo grew an estimated 900 flowers that surround the church, rectory and office, and line walking paths.
“They require very little attention. The flowers did so well this year because of all the rain,” he said.
Along with the rain and weekly fertilizing, staff urged him to enter the marigolds in the flower show and contest at the Allentown Fair Agriculture Exhibit.
The low-maintenance flower, which is disliked by rabbits and deer and keeps pests away, earned him second prize and a red ribbon.
“It’s a nice way to remember my mother,” he said.
Monsignor Wargo said the flowers have ended their bloom and he will be back at work in the coming months retrieving the seeds and growing seedlings indoors.
“We are hoping to grow more than last year and win another ribbon.”
