The gardens surrounding Barclay Friends offer more than beauty; they nurture connection, purpose and a sense of home. For 13 years, Horticultural Therapist Cheryl Bjornson has tended to these inviting outdoor spaces, transforming them into lush, seasonal showcases. Alongside dedicated residents, families and team members, Cheryl helps cultivate a landscape that offers nourishment for both body and spirit.
Seven outdoor gardens, including raised beds designed for easy accessibility, invite residents to dig in, plant, water and witness the fruits of their labor. This spring, kale, spinach, lettuce, onions and radishes have taken root — destined not only for the community’s dining venues but also for neighbors in need. Last year’s harvest totaled an impressive 840 pounds, shared with the Chester County Food Bank. Cheryl relishes the challenge of matching or surpassing that bounty this season.
But Cheryl’s work extends far beyond the soil. Through hands-on gardening programs and flower arranging groups, she invites residents in residential living, personal care, skilled nursing and memory care to experience the joy of growing and creating. Whether planting seedlings, gathering blooms or crafting floral displays, these programs encourage personal expression and foster meaningful connections.
The flower arrangements residents create are thoughtfully placed throughout the community, brightening shared spaces and personal residences alike. Each display stands as a reflection of the community’s spirit — and of the pride each resident feels in contributing to their surroundings.
The culinary team eagerly awaits the arrival of basil, chives, parsley, sage and thyme from the kitchen garden, ready to enhance summer menus. In every season, the gardens of Barclay Friends serve as a living testament to the joys of community, collaboration and purpose.
Cheryl’s expertise and warmth have become an essential part of life at Barclay Friends, where gardens are more than landscapes — they’re gathering places, classrooms and sources of nourishment for all who tend them.