LeGrande Isley has a passion for plants. Early on, he remembers admiring his grandmother’s interest in Daffodils and Peonies and how she enjoyed the colors and textures. When he was in high school, he was called on to help a neighbor at her nursery, Gethsemane Gardens. Already accustomed to the outdoors on his family dairy and tobacco farm in McLeansville, LeGrande fit right in. While at the nursery, he learned a lot and that afternoon led to five years of doing something he not only enjoyed but got paid to do. During this time, he received his North Carolina Plantsman license.
While working during the day, LeGrande decided to attend Rockingham Community College (RCC) a few nights a week to get his horticulture degree. This is where his professor, Dwight Tally, head of Horticulture at RCC noticed LeGrande’s keen sense of identifying plants – all 200 of the species with the leaves on and without. He offered LeGrande a teaching role there, which he accepted.
LeGrande had a natural sense of knowing what to do when it came to landscaping and floral arrangements and had consistent work keeping his hands in the dirt. Chinqua-Penn Plantation in Reidsville was yet another opportunity to highlight his sprouting talents. This property ranked high among North Carolina's finest well-preserved early 20th-century homes. When it eventually closed, there was something even more special on the horizon for LeGrande.
Dwight, his professor and now friend, was always seeking jobs for his RCC students and spotted one available at a newly opened life plan community. In 1997, LeGrande met Well-Spring and came on board to initially work on irrigation, under then-supervisor, Tony Belk. Things were different on campus then as assessments were being made to overhaul the plant choices and ground coverings to identify and eliminate invasive species such as ivy, mint and even crepe myrtles. There was a lot on the list, and LeGrande was a part of the changes. He worked with Tony until he retired in 2013, when he passed the torch to the well-deserving plant master. LeGrande is still Horticulture Supervisor at Well-Spring.
When asked about his job evolving, he says there was a significant shift when the grass mowing responsibilities were outsourced allowing his team time to focus solely on the needs of the residents and beautifying their properties. LeGrande works with each resident upon moving in regardless of their property style. He also offers patio options to those living in apartments. He carefully listens to their needs and works closely with each resident on solutions that suit them. This shift has given the community freedom to choose their floral arrangements under the direction of the in-house expert. "I learn from the residents as much as I advise them. It’s a great partnership,” he says.
At Well-Spring, LeGrande says his favorite part of the job is how delighted the residents are. “The comments that come from our community are the reward for me.” He develops special relationships, and they can often last decades like the one with Bettie Williams. LeGrande has known Bettie since he arrived in 1997, and she is now over 100. LeGrande recalls, “I still remember her first address on Wildflower long ago before she moved to her current apartment. She just loved trying new things.”
“I will get notes saying how much the residents enjoy their flowers and plants,” he says. “For instance, Mrs. Halyburton knows a lot about plants. She has been really fun to work with.”
The late Betty McNairy was chair of the Landscape Committee. She was a favorite of LeGrande’s and such a joy to be around. “She loved Cleome, Hosta and native plants like Trillium and Celandine Poppy,” he recalls.
LeGrand is always learning. He works closely with both Landscape and Resident Garden committees to stay close to what matters to him – the Well-Spring residents and his overall knowledge and growth.