Skip to main content

Petunias

J.K. Rowling gave flower names to Harry's mother and sister - his mother's name is Lily - the magical one, and her sister's name is Petunia, the unmagical one. Petunias can be overlooked and underestimated. Just because they are hanging at the front of every Home Depot, Walmart, and northern home in the summer, does not make them any less special to me. While pruning them today I reflected on how these tissue-thin petals survived at least two storms this summer with 70 mph winds. There must be something very strong (or magical?) in their design. They are tiny, hardy Victrolas, emitting beauty and happiness all Summer.

In the Spring (our first Spring here) I suggested that we start a tradition in which Steve picks the annuals that we plant in the patio border every summer. In the garden center he came around the corner with a cart full of purple and white petunias. He didn't know what they were, he just liked them best.



Labels:

Comments

  1. SissyAugust 27, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    That is lovely! I wonder what he will choose next year??!
    My husband would never play along like that, but then again, I don't know that I would let him!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SherryAugust 29, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Thank you! Yes, I know it's a gamble, but fun.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mary's Toad Lilies

All summer the rock garden was full of Lily stalks that didn't bloom. I knew they were some kind of Lily due to the leaf structure. There must be 30-40 stalks. I've looked at them carefully numerous times, and last time I examined them I thought maybe Cala lilies, that would bloom later in the summer. Didn't happen. I saw some budding on them a few weeks ago, and then forgot about them being so busy the last few weeks. It's been raining all day here, and I saw that the bird feeder we had wedged between some of the rocks in the rock garden fell. It's not a permanent solution, and it fell once before. We're going to have cement it or use a base pole to secure it for Spring. I went out to pick it up, and was greeted by lots and lots of blooming Toad Lilies! What a surprise. These inherited gardens keep constantly surprising me. I've been through a full year's cycle now, and thought I'd seen everything. I don't remember these last year at this time.
13 comments
Read more

Cornhusk Wreath

I made the cornhusk wreath featured on the Martha Stewart show last November. The steps involve dyeing the cornhusks (you can buy tamale cornhusks in your local grocery store), then separating them into strips while they are still damp, and pinning them to a straw wreath. Finish it with a thick satin ribbon. I chose apple green dye, so I can have it on the front door year-round. Closeup of the ribbon: I'm so happy with the results. To make your own, here is a link to the directions .
10 comments
Read more

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count!

Cornell University's Great Backyard Bird Count is happening now! They collect data on bird species and their whereabouts from all over the country at this time each year, and you can help. It's easy to participate - just look out your window for 15 minutes each day, today through Monday, and fill out a form on their website noting what species you saw and how many. Here are some notes from their FAQ: How is the information from the GBBC used? Bird populations are constantly changing. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to keep track of the complicated patterns of movement of so many species over an entire continent. The information from GBBC participants becomes even more valuable as scientists try to learn how birds are affected by environmental changes. The information you send in can provide the first sign that individual species may be increasing or declining from year to year. It shows how a species’ range expands or shrinks over time. A big change,
10 comments
Read more