Tag Archives: Plants

August beauty begins with volunteers!

2012-08-03

I am so grateful for the unplanned beauty that springs up in the summer garden.

My carefully chosen petunias from the garden center failed to thrive. But these impatiens have sprung up in their varied shades reminding me of gardens past and pulling color into my days. I’ve learned to look for the little seedlings and move some from harm’s way but most are just where they planted themselves.

My mother grew these in her gardens and I remember how the grandchildren loved the fun of the seed pods. A little push on a ripening one and it would burst open, seeds scattering!

Some years I have planted them in my own garden and while they will seed themselves, I can never resist popping a pod or two. Then I forget them until another summer comes and flowers surprise me with lovely color tucked into places I would not plant.

I love that my life can be like that too. My carefully chosen plans can fail to thrive, but then…the wonderful color and life that can spring up in unexpected places. Sometimes I just need eyes to see the seedlings, patience to see the blooms, and trust in the scattering of seeds.

 

Hello again!

It seems to happen. The ‘perfect’ posts, saved, go missing. Changes will need to be made on this end!

Today, I start to make up for some lost musings and offer garden updates. The hummingbirds have returned; I had forgotten how very tiny they are. The yard has been alive with bluebirds, cardinals, catbirds and wrens nesting about. And, I suppose the nuthatches, finches and tufted titmice that come to the feeders are nesting as well. Most stay hidden in the growing canopy, out of reach of the resident hawks.

2012-05-30

With rain last week and again last night everything is lush, including the weeds! I enjoyed my early walk around.

I am making some progress in rearranging gardens. Last week a friend gifted me with new to me plants and Monday my sister brought daylilies and new perennial begonias. The begonias thrive for her and barely hang on by a leaf here. Perhaps these offerings will be happy here.

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Mr. Toad seems to have safely migrated across the yard to forage under the hydrangeas. This time I was quiet.

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This was first harvest and the garden is coming along. It was a bit hot so the spinach is beginning to run to seed but we are enjoying it along with the first peas and lettuces too.

 

Easter Bouquet

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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!

A sweetness in late winter

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.

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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)