The Sugar River Garden Club has honored Paul Gabourie of 624 Cabrillo Drive with the 2025 Civic Beautification Award, but Gabourie himself insists he’s “not a gardener.”
Instead, he calls his gardening simply “an excuse to get outside” and a way to “just putz around in the yard.”
Gabourie’s approach to gardening is refreshingly down-to-earth. He’s known for hand-picking weeds and steering clear of weed killers. When it comes to those volunteer trees that spring up unexpectedly or with a little help from the squirrels, he jokes, “Now what am I going to do with those?” Sometimes, he pots them up for later or moves plants around to keep things interesting.
His yard is a vibrant mix, featuring a variety of annuals, perennials, bulbs and trees. He’s also made creative use of his terrace, timing certain blooms—like salvia—to coincide with the Fourth of July. He says he gravitates toward “stuff that’s easy,” but the result is anything but ordinary.
Gabourie isn’t afraid to experiment, and he uses patience to see how the plants progress. Some vegetables also make their way into his garden, and he often seeds sunflowers and zinnias directly in the ground, while giving other plants a head start indoors. “Tulips turn into zinnias” as the seasons progress, keeping the yard colorful throughout the year.
His garden isn’t just a personal project—it’s a neighborhood inspiration. Neighbors often stop by to ask questions and admire the blooms. Gabourie encourages everyone to plant “something,” believing that every effort adds beauty to the neighborhood.
Many of his plants come with stories, having been divided from friends’ gardens or shared among neighbors. “Almost every plant has a history,” he says, reflecting the connections that bloom alongside his flowers.
Whether he claims the title or not, Gabourie’s “putzing around” has certainly made Verona a more beautiful place and a pleasing spot for pollinators to flourish.