Summer flower gardens in Nauvoo are a beautiful sight to behold, but none more spectacular than the gardens on the Nauvoo Temple grounds. Carefully planned and cared for by a master gardener, Les worked year round in all weather conditions to make the area a place for patrons and visitors to linger.

His lifetime career work included English castle gardens, cathedral grounds, and several Temple grounds as well as teaching beginning gardeners how to properly plant and fill flower beds.

Just after his retirement and before their move from Nauvoo, we were privileged to photograph his sweet family who has become our good friends over the years. Want to see Les’s handiwork? Just take a look at the flowerbeds on the temple grounds in the photos below.

To Alene and Les,

We are privileged to call you our friends and have enjoyed our working relationship over the years. Thank you for sharing your expertise as a master gardener and making the Nauvoo Temple grounds so beautiful for all to enjoy. You will be missed in Nauvoo. Wishing you the best in your new adventure.

Happy Retirement!

Tom and Jeanette