A Garden Brightens the Day

In the midst of stresses of isolation, there is peace and calm. It is a brief break from the media and all the things happening in our world. The garden has always been my escape just as nature has always been my recharge.

This year, I am trying to keep order, holding back weeds, containing the overzealous spread of passion vines. It is a changing landscape as some blooms rise and others give up their seeds.

Today, the blanket flower rose out of anonymity, it looked like a weed previously but I was pleased to see the firey blooms against a backdrop of cool greens and red autumn sage. I'm not saying I will ever be a gardener who insists on order over beauty but I am getting better at maintaining a garden that looks more intentional.

Most of the the plants that are coming back this year are from last year's planting, many perennials that seemed to dwindle in the summer heat are showing up in all their glory this year.

New this year will be lots of milkweed and some more dutchman's pipe for the pipeline swallowtail. I have ten plus species of passion vine which will also get a lot of attention this year.

Gardening will always be my escape from the daily rigors of life. We all have stress, it's how we deal with it that separates us and brings us sanity amidst chaos. I hope you enjoy the flowers from my garden and find peace and calm, even for just a few minutes.