gardening Archives - Page 5 of 9

Delighted

May 15, 2012 jennifer Gardening

A few weeks ago I was walking through an outdoor shopping mall with my husband when a dwarf lilac bush caught my eye. Covered in miniature purple blooms, I wondered if they also had that intoxicating scent of lilacs. Pausing to bend and sniff, I discovered that indeed, they smelled heavenly.

We walked on and I thought to myself, “Too bad my little lilac bush in the back yard has not a single bloom on it. What a disappointment that it has no flowers!”

You see, I planted a small lilac bush last spring. By the end of summer it looked like it wouldn’t make it through the winter and I mentally prepared to tear it out and try to find the receipt. To my surprise it came back this spring, looking incredibly healthy. I watched while my other lilac bush bloomed and produced beautiful flowers while this little bush did nothing but produce green leaves. I thought I had ended up with a non-flowering bush by mistake.

I was weeding the other day and to my complete surprise I looked at the bush and saw this:

It’s covered with miniature blooms! They came out of nowhere, weeks behind all the other lilacs in my area, but here they are. They smell heavenly and I stood there and had to resist shouting for joy (because we don’t need the neighbors to think I’m truly nuts).

I know in years to come I’ll get better at this gardening business, but I hope I never lose the delight of seeing a plant fulfill its potential. I hope it always makes me sort of giddy.

Another happy surprise is the return of my Ranunculus. They’re not supposed to make it through the winter here, but I left them in the ground because they’re far too small to dig up, and to my delight they’re back and beginning to bloom.

My columbines have also bloomed. They are a flower dear to my heart for many reasons.

The honeysuckle I planted last year is thriving and I had to get a larger trellis for it to climb. I also have honeysuckle in two other places which also need new supports and I’m on the lookout for them. We’re looking forward to their blooms.

What happy surprises have you found outdoors?

Jennifer

Potential

May 11, 2012 jennifer Gardening

I haven’t had time to weed my flowerbeds much lately, or even to walk around the yard and see how things are looking until yesterday. I saw a few things that made me very happy.

First, things appear to be coming back well. Some of the lavender is a little slow, but I think it’s all going to make it. I’m pleased with how full my front flowerbed is looking. It will get better when the peonies are mature in a few years. I planted some dahlias in there again and am hoping they take.

The allium is new this year and I’m liking them a lot. They’ve attracted lots of bees and are so pretty standing on their long, straight stems.

The tulips are about finished. I really ought to go cut them all down, but in a few spots the show is still impressive so I’m leaving them a bit longer. I am SO pleased with the variety of tulips I added to my yard last fall. Without a doubt we have enjoyed some stunning flowers. I’m sorry to see them go but happy I’ll greet them again next year.

Coming soon: peonies. It’s true that anticipation adds to happiness, for the anticipation I feel when I see these perfectly round buds which will soon burst forth into something remarkable is a great feeling. I have six peonies that will bloom wonderfully this year, and more roots that I planted this spring. It will take time for them to bloom but I’ll wait. It will be worth it!

It was the trees that made me particularly happy as I did the rounds. My pear trees appear to be doing well, with what I think are signs of fruit yet to develop. (I hope – I’ve never grown pears before.)

Looks like we’ll get some cherries as well. Hooray!

And for the first time, I see a few itty bitty fuzzy things on one of the peach trees. Could it be….?

It’s funny how I can see this potential and feel so satisfied. I have a part in it, but really the plants are doing the work. I feel, for lack of a better word, proud of them. I don’t feel critical that there isn’t more. I feel so pleased with the growth I see.

I also see areas that need weeding, gardens that need planting, vines that need training, etc. but then I look at this group enjoying otter pops on the back porch and remember that THEY are my most important garden. THEIR growth is the most important growth going on around here. I remind myself to be more joyful about even tiny signs of growth, especially when I was hoping for much more. I remind myself to be more matter-of-fact about the “weeding” that needs to be done behaviorally instead of going about it with fear or frustration. They are my greatest investment and have the greatest potential of all. They bring the greatest joy and beauty to my life. I’m so grateful for them, and grateful for the reminder I received from my plants and trees. Life is about people, and it’s wonderful!

Jennifer