Spring. I come alive this time of year. Garden centers and nurseries call out to me. I leisurely stroll through them while simultaneously making note of which plants I want to add to the Concrete Jungle. Through trial and error, I’ve made adjustments to what I can grow there though I’ll never stop experimenting. One corner gets only bright indirect light; in my mind’s eye I see a profusion of ferns. I’m also jonesing on a Angel’s Trumpet which will tower above them high enough to reach a bit of sun. It’ll be perfect in a pot and the hummingbirds will love their flowers. Speaking of flowers, I want to attract bees and butterflies but my choices of flowering plants is limited by the lack of full-sun the area receives. Am still researching.
Isn’t this Angel’s Trumpet GORGEOUS?
I don’t know where I got my love of plants. Neither of my parents had green thumbs; at least none to speak of. Mom never owned any houseplants and my Dad maintained that gardening constituted mowing the lawn – after which he’d listen to the baseball game while napping on a chaise lounge in the backyard. As a child I always loved being outside, so was it at an early age that I began my life as a Master Gardener “in-training”?
What’s in that cup? Perhaps I was going to water a thirsty plant – or maybe I had some seeds to plant.
Years later, when I wasn’t playing Cowboys and Indians with the boys in the neighborhood (I was the sole indian) or trading monster bubblegum cards with same, I happily spent hours in the backyard searching for cool bugs and climbing trees. (Always in a cute matching ensemble.) Although I remember having perpetually-scraped knees, I don’t recall ever getting DIRTY. To this day I don’t like getting on my hands and knees in the dirt. But I digress.
My earliest recollection of being a Plant Geek was when I was married. (Long before Rock Vixen was born.) We lived in a one bedroom, upstairs apartment complete with a balcony that received sun all day. No problem growing flowers there!
I became enthralled with herbs. Not only did I cook with them I experimented with sachets, potpourri, lavender wands, and was fascinated with their history as medicinal plants. There was one event we attended at a Victorian house/herb grower in Los Gatos. Attendees were treated to a buffet of finger foods and herbal teas and a talk by the growers. We were then free to wander the nursery part of the property where you could purchase plants. That was my first introduction to more “exotic” herbs like lemon balm, bee balm, horehound, lovage, and wormwood. At that time these items weren’t readily available at local nurseries and garden centers. (I was a Veggie and Herb buyer for a few years and brought in all the unique herbs the growers offered. I developed quite a following…) While my Mother-in-law liked to garden and grew the most beautiful orchids, my Ex did not appreciate my plant-centric enthusiasm. Needless to say, the marriage did not last long.
However, my unwavering relationship with plants has endured. I’m always eager to try new Outside the Pot projects; and I love sitting down with one of my (many) houseplant books, lusting over the most unusual specimens. (You should see my Black Jungle Terrarium Supply Wishlist!)
And my affair with “carnies”? Well, that’s a Love Story for all time. ❤
Fellow Plant Whisperer and Sweet Pea devotee. I think of Ruthie every Spring and Fall when they are in season.
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House M - 