How I wish I could capture the scent of this shrub totally covered in bloom. I’ve not known many fragrances as intoxicating and lovely. I cannot help myself as I make many trips to drink in the heady scent heedless of any consequences!
For my gardening friends – viburnum carlesii – go quickly and find one to add to your gardens!
My body is glad for my mind’s distractions giving a respite form raking, weeding, rock moving and transplanting. Even the glory of a common weed draws me.
Many years ago I received a spring greeting card with a lovely flower person. The caption remains with me – “Very few things can delight,” she realized, “like the fresh wonders of spring.” I agree!
My best observations are in the brilliant morning light making it so hard to pull on the gloves and get to work!
I’m so happy to share these fresh wonders with you!
Like this lovely blossom, I peered through my fence at the bigger world. Unlike the blossom my feet are free and off we went!
With the warmer weather this year, the gardens in Williamsburg were vibrant with spring.
Now I am racing to catch up in my own gardens after the wonderful time away.
Yesterday rain and fog gave way to wind and sun. I wandered out to make an insignificant start on yard cleanup. Pick-up-sticks. On the wind came such a sweet fragrance and took me by surprise. I looked around at bare branches, brown fallen leaves and faded grass and searched my mind for what was teasing me. I had forgotten. Really not surprising, this time of year my favorite garden activity is spent on catalogues and magazines, books and notepads and not rummaging around in small shaded corners. But there against a small wall was the heady fragrance – sweetbox.
Sarcococca hookeriana humilis is the proper name, if I recall correctly. Insignificant bloom tucked down in evergreen leaves giving off its prayer of sweet smelling fragrance.
That’s how I think of people of prayer, off in quiet, almost hidden places – at least in soul – giving of themselves in a sweet fragrance to God on behalf of others. And unlike me, He is always out and about so He turns and bends and looks for them and inhales deeply. (2 Chron 16:9)
Winter still and earth stirs the plants to know that spring comes.
The light begins to change again and I hunt among dried leaves and find a gift in February, Lenten Roses. I carry one away to gaze into amazing beauty.
Waiting with a mug of hot coffee for the beginnings of a new day is such a special time to me. Fresh beauty comes with the unfolding of a day. Today fine ice crystals adorn leaf and berry like fragile lace.
