Report From An Opinionated Gardener – May 22
Outstanding, extraordinary and sensory. Those are some of the definitions of the adjective sensational. I’m thinking today that these are also the definitions of a garden and the connections that plants and landscapes make between people.
I had several members of my home-landscapers class over for a garden tour and refreshments today and once again I marvel at how plants draw good people together. The lilacs at Poison Ivy Acres are in full bloom, and the white-edged Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ drew the most comments. It is, indeed, sensational.
But beyond our appreciation of the lilac’s fleeting blossoms the good-natured camaraderie, intellectual curiosity and generosity of this group continues to warm my heart. And this isn’t a singular occurrence. Are people who are drawn to plants more generous, smart and engaged or does the act of nurturing a garden also cultivate those qualities in the gardener? I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that it’s random or by chance.
I find fellow garden geeks, plant lovers and dirt diggers to be outstanding and extraordinary. We connect around the life-affirming sensations of tending the landscape.
Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation'
