Report From An Opinionated Gardener – October 7
Those of you who are regular visitors to Whole Life Gardening and check in here daily will have noticed that I’ve been a bit more sporadic about posting this past week. Forgive me, please, because I’m on vacation… one of the joys of being on holiday is shaking up the usual routine.
Here in Arizona I am still thinking about plants and gardening, however. The surrounding vegetation is sculptural and spectacular, with the variety of foliage being as interesting as any flower. The live oaks (Quercus turbinella) with their silvery leaves, and the spiky Agave and prickly pear Opuntia are so beautiful. It’s fun discover new plants that don’t grow in the Northeast; one of the things I love about gardening is that there is always something new to learn.
When trying to identify an unfamiliar plant, you start with what you know. The leaves on the oak are holly-like, but they have small fruits that are unmistakably acorns.
In our lives there is always something new to learn as well. The journey from not knowing to awareness often begins with what we know, but the challenge is to not to stop with the familiar. Whether we travel across the country, around town or in our own backyards, the opportunities for growth are everywhere.
An Agave and Opuntia catch my eye...
