Gardening With My Children
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. ~The Buddha
Because of his love for gardening and because I enjoy visiting his informative site, Kal has inspired me to bring some color into my own flower garden. The weather is wonderful here, the sun is warmer than usual for this time of the year, and my son and daughter were eager to help me with this endeavor.
We visited some local garden centers and carefully picked out plants and flowers that we thought would look pretty and would do well in our front and back yard. We picked out some beautiful white and pink “Red Ruffles” Azaleas. My son saw a “Sago” Palm that he liked and I knew just the right spot for it. I spotted some beautiful bright yellow “Sweet Brooms” which will add beautiful accent colors to the front yard. As a gentleman passed by me, I admired the “Pink Jasmines” he had just found and I inquired as to where they were located in the garden center. They smell luxuriously and I am hoping they will climb the trellis in the front of the house. My daughter admired a “Jane” Magnolia tree which we could not leave behind because its purple blossoms are exquisite. We then picked out smaller flowers for borders and accents.
I wanted to look at the rose section to see what kind of selections they had to offer. Both of my children were eager to give their opinion as to which name they liked best, which colors would look just right, and for my son, which one would be most practical. We settled for a “Mr. Lincoln”, a very striking white “Pristine”, and two cherry red “Knock Outs”. I was eager to add them to my already existing rose garden.
Once we arrived home, we placed our plants and flowers in the spots where we wanted them planted. As I looked around, I admired the flowers that we already have in our garden as they have bloomed this year. Two flowers that have become sentimental additions are the “Snow Bells” and the antique “Paper Whites” which my husband and mother-in-law dug up from an old property that, at one time, belonged to my husband’s great-grandparents. They sold the property over forty years ago, while they were still alive, and the property was only weeks from being developed when my husband and his mother decided to see if some of the old bulbs were still there. They were still alive, and were blooming, when they were carefully removed and replanted in our garden at home. It is so nice to see them bloom each year now and I suspect, should we ever move again, these little beauties will travel with us.
My children and I planted our garden a couple of weekends ago. My daughter helped for a while, placing borders in the appropriate places, and then decided she was missing out playing with all the little friends on our street. My son, however, wanted to see the job to the end. He stayed with me the entire time and seemed to have so much fun. We chatted about different ideas for our garden and some of the things we would eventually like to do…such as add a patio to our back yard.
I am very thankful for my children! They add such color and variations to my life, much like the garden we had just planted. Their various seasons prepare for new growth, maturity, and beauty. I tire at times of the constant motion of these “seasons” but I realize that what is brought to bloom and maturation is a miracle and a gift of God. I pray often for the wisdom to deal kindly and gently with such precious gifts.
I love what Anais Nin said: And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Voila, thanks for mention. Though, not sure how “informative” all of my ramblings are!
Your visit to the garden centers sounds like fun! And it’s great that the whole family was involved. Interesting that your son liked the sago palm … I decided a week or so ago that we need one in our yard too.
I found your story about the paper whites and the family history behind them. I believe the plants are a wonderful connection to family and the past. I enjoy looking at the tree that I used to climb in my very early childhood on a property that we haven’t lived in for over 30 years and I enjoy the few plants that I brought home from my father’s funeral. It’s even better when plants have extra meaning.
Comment by KAL — March 27, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Thanks, Kal! I do find your site informative and have found myself utilizing some of the information. Exampample: I am looking into a water filtration right now. Sometimes I put things off…just because. If I hear or read from someone valid information, I am willing to consider it. Your site sort of does that for me.
Wonderful about your tree. Perhaps you can take a picture sometime and post it on your site or your flickr page. I am happy for you that you were able to take some plants home from your fathers funeral. That must really mean a lot…especially if you were close.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — March 27, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Your garden will be beautiful. It’s wonderful you take the time to do these things with your kids. This will be a beautiful memory and a skill they will call on throughout their lives.
God bless, Viola!
Comment by SandyCarlson — March 29, 2008 @ 12:44 pm