Photos of Riling garden earn praise from Hillsdale community

On the east corner of Oak Street and State Road in Hillsdale lives one couple who has poured their heart and soul into gardens that bless not only them, but everyone who sees them.

Jeff and Arlene Riling were surprised one morning to discover that pictures of their garden had been posted on Hillsdale Garden Club’s Facebook page. The garden received community-wide acclamations, with over 450 likes and almost 300 comments on the post.

“My wife is a little bit lost for words because she is so down to earth,” Jeff said, “It’s unbelievable the things she’s been able to do to our yard.”

Arlene, originally from Philippines, said her love for gardening first came from her mother, Rosario.

“My mom lives in the Philippines and she just loves roses so much. I get to see the roses and smell the flowers and remember all those years I was little,” she said.

This is especially important for Arlene because she hasn’t had the opportunity to visit the Philippines to see family in eight years.

She doesn’t just grow roses though. Since 2017, when the couple moved to Hillsdale, they have been growing their garden. Arlene has planted a wide assortment of flowers, often rescuing dying plants from grocery stores and giving them new life in her garden.

Jeff, a retired and disabled military veteran of 14 years, said he loves to see how Arlene pours her heart into her flowers and plants, even when they start to take over.

“I’ve lost my firepit to sunflowers,” Jeff said laughing, “In the wintertime, my wife digs up practically all the flowers and brings them inside. It’s like a jungle!”

Her mother isn’t the only one that has influenced Arlene’s dedication to flowers. Her daughter, who passed away at 17, has also been a big influence.

“She passed away and she just loved pink roses so much. That’s why there’s so much pink in our yard, to honor her daughter in memory of her loss,” Jeff said.

Arlene said that she sees the garden as a daily reminder of her daughter and a fulfillment of a promise she gave her.

“When my daughter passed away I promised her that I was going to give her a flower every day on her death anniversary, so since then, no matter the weather, my husband will bring me flowers," she said.

Jeff said Arlene’s life has always been one of service, whether it’s providing the community with beautiful flowers, caring for the elderly as a certified nursing assistant at Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility, or helping out a neighbor with her garden, Arlene is always ready.

“She is the nicest person I’ve ever met,” he said, “She’s just the type of person that gives to everyone else before taking care of herself.”

People often walk by and will comment to Jeff and Arlene on how beautiful their garden is and how much it blesses them just to see it.

Because of that, the couple placed a bench outside and they welcome anyone walking by to sit, relax, and take in the flowers. There is even a board by the bench with the names of all the flowers in the garden so those who stop by can learn about the different flowers.

Jeff said that the garden is just one more way that Arlene gives back to and supports the community and he hopes that it will continue to give hope to everyone.

“There are still people out there that will give to others before they receive anything and I think that is so important to remember.”

Arlene said that while she knows the garden blesses other people, she can’t help but feel the most blessed, both by the opportunity to work in the garden, but also to see the joy others get from it.

“I’m so blessed that I’m surrounded with good people and good friends,” she said,  “It makes me feel better just seeing the garden every morning. Flowers are just so special. They are my vitamin C and vitamin D. They are all the vitamins I need.”

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Couple's garden earns praise from Hillsdale community