Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Grandmother's Garden Delights



The rains have created the most magical spring season in many moons… it is positively breathtaking this year. Each and every species is growing and flowering at an unprecedented rate to the delight of gardeners everywhere.

This year my ancient Deutzia scabra, which is planted next to the lily pond in dense shade, has performed beyond my wildest dreams. I discovered this lovely shrub next to the slightly dripping faucet in my Grandmother’s back yard nestled securely against the house between the solarium and the library. In such a location it received no overhead light or west sun and scarcely received sunshine from the east yet it thrived. My Grandmother’s gardens were well established by 1934, so it is indeed an old specimen and one of few who are completely happy living in the shade. We dug a small off-shoot then planted it in our garden where it settled in nicely, doubling in size every few years. To shape it and keep it manageable, it was pruned occasionally and always following blooming… pruning in the spring will result in no flowering.



This year my Deutzia is literally covered with small white flowers that dance along the branches amongst the tender green foliage. The bees are drawn to it and a very young and inexperienced lady Cardinal has chosen it for her nesting site, placing carefully chosen discarded plastic as the pièce de résistance of her décor. Waiting and watching her progress shall become a daily obsession!

Another heirloom gem is the Gallica Rose, which also came from my Grandmother‘s home She had a rambling white picket fence and these sweet roses danced along it, creating a living curtain of sight and scent all spring. The Gallica Roses are among the oldest cultivated species, dating back as far as the 12th century. They were a favorite of Empress Josephine and thus their name was sometimes changed to ‘French Roses’ in honor of her interest in them.

My rose is rather a deep burgundy with loose petals and a darling little yellow center. This year it became enthralled with the Redbud above it and began twining, slowly climbing to sweetly embrace the treetop branches. The surprise of this affection has been the source of much joyful anticipation each day… how far can my Gallica climb?

*Take a walk between the rains and discover the wonders this year has wrought… they are unusual, inspiring, and magical.

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