My mind has been on roses lately. I have never been a rose grower, so I can’t say I have much learned knowledge on these delicate looking plants, but there is a part of me that is quite drawn to them. Not the stiff, upright perfect blooms that you’d find in a flower shop bouquet… I’m drawn to the soft, romantic rambling roses that you’ll find in a country garden or the wild roses that frame the edges of still lake waters. 

My grandma was a rose-grower. She always had a variety of fragrant blooms filling the air outside her front step. I wish I would have been able to gather her knowledge before she lost it. 

I’ve been learning about how easily rose knowledge can be lost as I watch a documentary called Growing Floret about Floret flower farm in Washington The work they are doing on that farm to revive lost varieties is inspiring and hopeful. It’s a company that is doing some pretty incredible work to provide knowledge to the flower community. 

One thing that was talked about at the end of the rose episode was how roses are meant to be shared. They were referring to propagating stems to give to those around you, but the sentiment has stuck with me as a statement about generosity. 

I wish I had some roses from my garden to share with you. But in the spirit of roses, I do have something that’s the next best thing- an everlasting rose for your walls. It’s not the same as sharing a stem with you for your garden, but may it inspire you to also share something of value with those around you. 

Spring
Linda Pastan

Just as we lose hope she ambles in,
a late guest dragging her hem of wildflowers,
her torn veil of mist, of light rain,
blowing her dandelion breath in our ears;
and we forgive her, turning from chilly winter ways,
we throw off our faithful sweaters
and open our arms.

Oh velvet bee, you’re a dusty fellow;
You’ve powdered your legs with gold!
O brave marshmary buds, rich and yellow;
Give me your money to hold!
-Jean Ingelow

In an attempt to slow down and calm a whirring brain, I took to capturing a few things happening within my garden this May. I used to do this quite often, but it got lost somewhere along the way. What a joy it is to notice the little happenings, the new surprises each day. I never seem to have trouble growing tomatoes and this year is no exception- they are a little behind, as are all my seedlings this year, but still growing beautifully.

This year, I decided to plant some clover in our lawn to add a bit more lushness and the hope of a greener space in the heat of summer. I mistakenly over-planted this one section, but I’m finding the lushness they already are providing is a delight. I also built some new bamboo structures to house my peas and beans- there is a simple joy in working with raw materials to build these structures each year.

The chamomile is growing back from seeds dispersed from a larger plant last year… That pop of red in the rhubarb patch is such fun- rhubarb grows so quickly and it won’t be long before it’s time to make rhubarb slush, relish, jam and more. This plant provides so much for us.

In an attempt to add more whimsy to the nighttime garden, I purchased these solar powered mushroom lights recently. I haven’t decided yet on final placement, but I thought I’d see how they fare among the lily of the valley. They already add such atmosphere when the sun goes down each day.

I look forward to all the ways my garden will continue to surprise me this year!