A Short Story of Second Chances and Hidden Beauty
I was late this summer in getting to the nursery to find plants for my window box garden at the cabin. It wasn’t until the end of June that I showed up, and by then the pickings were slim. Everything I bought was drastically reduced in price because it was either half dead, hard to identify, or yellowing and spindly.
I was desperate so I took a chance and gathered up what I could, planted them, watered and fertilized them and hoped for the best.
Now - near the end of summer I am in awe of the bounty of beauty in that box. It feels like an embarrassment of riches! Not everything survived. But what did survive thrived! It takes my breath away and I’m astonished at the tenacity and recovery.
This selection of plants wouldn’t have been my first choice. It ended up being what I could cobble together.
I really took a chance on the dark purple leaf plant - knowing it wouldn’t provide flowers - but hoping it would give some nice contrast to the green foliage.
It nearly took over the whole box. It had an interesting leaf shape - but otherwise not too showy.
And then . . . . . . when I was watering it today . . . deep within the heart of the plant I spotted it . . . . Do you see it? (Scroll down)
Hidden Gems
Hidden from view is a gem - a beautifully simple pale purple flower. There are a number of them, actually. I’ve never known a plant to hide it’s flowers - like a hidden treasure - to be discovered only by those who take the time to look closely. I couldn’t imagine how the design of this happened.
It seems against all rules of plant creation. The flowers are normally showy and shout “Look at me!” Who ever heard of a shy flower? An introvert of sorts? I was delighted at the discovery - and it made me think of the people I know and their lovely hidden gems - available for admiration by those who give them a chance and who patiently wait and slow down enough to look and discover them.
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