Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...

Much to my own disbelief, I am developing a green thumb. I've also discovered that gardening is rather therapeutic. As I tend to the leaves, roots, and blooms, I seem to be to nourished as much as they are.

"Won't you come into my garden?
I would like my roses to see you."
~ Richard Sheridan

The role of helping plants grow was meant to be a metaphor for life, I believe. "The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:12). According to their kinds - I love that. There is so much variety. Hmmm.

As I dig into the soil with my rosy-pink gardening gloves, I reach for the root. I know the weeds will not be removed for good unless all of them is extracted. As my gloves become caked with soil, I realize this is going to be messy. But darn, it feels good.

Here in Texas, my flowers must be watered daily. No skipping the routine because I am too busy or distracted. They cannot survive without it, right? And growth. Why do some stems survive, and some do not? You know, if you prune hydrangeas too soon, you might cut off a branch that has already prepared itself to bloom next season. Although you can't see what is hiding inside that bright green stem, there is potential beauty there.

So here's a peek into my garden. First, the whimsical coneflowers (a.k.a echinacea). Two days ago, my red one looked like this...


Now it looks like this. Lovely.


Here's my purple coneflower a few days ago...


And today...


And now for the zinnias...





This is dainty lantana...


Blanket flower. I think her name should be Maria.


Here's my pink hydrangea, a housewarming gift from my dear friend, Jenni.



Here's my "yellow rose of Texas" from Stephanie. It has tons of buds! Right now it's hanging on for dear life to the front porch posts so it will grow straight and strong.




This is my autumn sage bush, and it smells heavenly.


I found this sprouting up next to the autumn sage, and I have no idea what it is! We shall see...


Wave petunias circling the tree...


My husband knows me well and realizes how gardening has become my new "therapy." Today, not only did he bring me a bouquet of pink peonies (my favorite flower), but he returned from the gardening store with a few other surprises: an azalea bush and a basil plant. I hope they quickly grow to be strong and beautiful. For myself, I hope the same.