Many mornings you can find me nose-deep in flowers, still half asleep and barefoot, but inhaling flower scents nonetheless. I don't need coffee to wake me up. All need is dew on my toes, sniffing a rose, pollen up my nose.
It's true: most mornings I roll out of bed and head out to the garden. Admittedly, I need to tend to the dogs first: Raka, the big dork, acts like she hasn't eaten in days, and she will let you know in no uncertain terms. Hazel, the little dog, freaks out every morning like she hasn't seen me in months, so I need to reassure her that I am indeed here to stay for the long haul.
Dogs thusly fed and assured, we step out the front door, where usually a brisk wind rattles our ears. The dogs pee and chase the bunny while I administer my daily inspections: how many millimeters has each plant grown since yesterday? How many more degrees did a flower bud open?
When we first moved here a little over a year ago, there were only two small Rhododendrons. Before doing anything at our new place, I spread compost around the house's foundation and planted lots of things I had dug up from our Marblemount Homestead.
Why pay for new plants if you can just steal their babies?
Almost all of the things you can see in these photos were either divisions of old plants, gifts from fellow gardeners, or plants grown from seeds scattered on the Earth in spring.
Truly, dear reader, growing a lush flower garden doesn't need to be expensive.
I do have to admit, though, that Old English roses are one of my weaknesses (together with dark chocolate, a nice silk yarn, and puppy kisses). So whenever there is a thing to celebrate (Mother's Day! It's coming up! Steve!!! Kids!!!! Are you reading this????), I like to go to Christianson's, my favorite nursery dangerously close to our house. They have an AMAZING assortment of everything, including Old English roses.
I could spend days there.
Someone please forward this to my husband Steve, and maybe he'll see my oh-so-subtle hints.
What are you growing nowadays?