Report From An Opinionated Gardener – September 24
A couple of weeks ago I was impatient about how my Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Spring Grove’ was doing. A few days later I’m apologizing to this plant. It’s glorious right now, and I love this plant.
You need to have enough room for Lespedeza because it’s a spreader. Mine is now at least six feet wide, and cascades in a beautiful fountain habit. I have three sedum planted in front of this perennial that are now completely hidden. Note to self: move these sedum asap.
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp’s blog, Hoosier Gardener, also mentions patience tonight. She writes that the dry year of 2010 (here too, Jo Ellen!) has reminded her that a garden teaches us patience. Yes it does, every day and in every way…sometimes against our will and wishes.
I especially appreciate Jo Ellen’s point #7. She says, “I’ve learned to tell the difference between scorched plants and those that have adapted to protect themselves from the heat, by curling or dropping their leaves. I’ve also learned to recognize heat stress does not always mean plants need more water.” This is huge, and not all that obvious. It also reminds all of us that no matter how experienced we are, there is always something to learn.
I think that most gardeners would acknowledge that we all return to love, however. As impatient, frustrated or tired as we get, we return to appreciation and love. We’re grateful for what we’ve harvested, be it experiences, flowers, produce, human connections or knowledge.
Late September glory - Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spring Grove'. Yum.
