As the days get longer, at Winterpast the birds are chirping and the world is a “Pinterest-Perfect” shade of green. On our way home from a spa weekend, we decided to embrace the season and do something every gardener loves: buy the first flowers of the season. Not just any flowers, mind you, but those that thrive in our zone, Zone 7.
It all began innocently enough. HHH checked the weather and found a long list of 70’s and 80’s listed as the highs for the following week. The universe spoke to us. With an early check out and before retrieving Ollie and Wookie from puppy camp, we headed to the local garden center.
Although so early the doors were still locked, just outside, flowers lined the building.
Walking through rows of blooming flowers, we were hit with sensory overload. The earthy smell of soil and vibrant colors of petals in every corner were calming and therapeutic. Our heads were on swivels as we found a little of this and a little of that while our basket overflowed.
There were so many options. Did we want flowers for “shade” or “sun”? Perennials or annuals? Remembering last year’s garden, it was easy to select plants with which we’d been successful. Good thing those happened to be our favorites.
Johnny Jump Ups, Marigolds, Geraniums, and roses made the cut.
It was when we were both drooling over the FoxGlove that we were interrupted.
“Excuse me,” the lady with the hose said, as she interrupted our gaze. “Those are poisonous. They contain digitalis that can affect your heart.”
Remembering last year’s Foxglove, we decided to take a chance again this year. Although this gorgeous plant only lasted a season, we both loved every day with it. We didn’t poison ourselves and enjoyed the blooms for the entire summer. We bought one big, beautiful plant despite her warning.
Without a coat, HHH warmed up in the sunshine while I took our plants through the checkout. As nursery visits go, this one wasn’t too bad. As I was paying, HHH hurried to the counter with two more roses.
“Wait, we need these, too.” And, of course he was right, we did.
After putting everything in the car, we looked at each other and realized that, at that price, we needed two more rose bushes.
Returning home, we found daffodils in bloom with the iris not far behind. The Peony’s grow inches each day as they stretch towards the sun. The cherry trees are beginning to bloom and will provide delicious nectar for the bees arriving on Saturday. Spring is such a lovely time of year.
The garden is a place for renewal and growth. Flowers bloom, leaves sprout, and trees regain their color. It’s a season of transformation with the visible world moved by the deeper rhythms of nature. The garden is once again thriving, and what appeared to be dead or lost is now flourishing in ways that weren’t imaginable during the darkest days of winter.
Much like perennial plants that return year after year, we, too, can find ways to heal and grow, even after the harshest times in life. The garden’s resilience teaches us that growth often follows pain and that beauty and strength can rise from the most difficult circumstances.
Whatever you do today, enjoy some fresh, crisp spring air and get outside a little bit. All the better if you have a yard to tinker with. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself standing in the garden center checkout with roses in hand!
More tomorrow.
