Garden Perspectives

I read a fridge magnet one time that said “A weed is just a flower growing in the wrong place.” Even though the gardener in me thinks “What a crock! Thistles are just EVIL, period,” the hippy in me can’t help but nod in silent agreement. I mean, beauty can be found just about anywhere, if you look with the right eyes. Abandoned buildings, creepy-crawlies, old ladies in bathing suits … yes, even “weeds” can be enchanting – with just the right lighting.

Goatsbeard going to seed – THAT’s how abundant the weeds are.

Even though I have yet to find a good chunk of time to seriously tackle the annoyances in the garden, I have eked out a few minutes here and there snapping some pics of what’s in bloom (or going to seed, as the case may be). It’s really hard to think of the borage as a “weed” though, even if it is growing far from where it was originally planted. At one time I had a definite “plan” for the garden, but I am trying to let nature do her thing and leave some plants growing wherever they have decided to. Just not the weedy-weeds. After all, she probably has way more experience than I do at this sort of thing.

Borage blooming in entirely the wrong place – a beautiful accident.

The lavender is particularly enjoyable too right now, though for a very different reason. Yes, it’s pretty in it’s petite purple ways, but I love wandering by it and giving the unopened buds a gentle squeeze to get the scent on my hands. Of course, this results in me sniffing my hands all day, which is more than a little peculiar to those not in the know, but oh, well. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

There’s nothing more sweet smelling than fresh lavender.

There have been a couple of things I’ve been able to keep up with this year – like the produce boxes and the flower pots on the deck. Somehow, having things contained like that make them easier to tackle weed-wise. It’s like housecleaning, I suppose. If you think “I have to clean the entire house” it’s far more overwhelming than simply “I have to clean the living room.” Baby steps and all that.

A geranium on the deck, getting a cuddle from the baby snaps.

And last but not least, for today that is, the rose. I have absolutely no idea what kind it might be, as roses don’t tend to over-winter well around here, and I’ve stopped keeping track of the varieties I try out. But this one is clearly in the perfect sheltered place in the garden as it’s been around for several years now. Whether it’s a single bud in a little glass vase or a scatter of petals in the bath, you can’t beat the simple elegance of the rose.

A rose is a rose is a rose.

Well, would you look at that. I guess this might be one of those times when I don’t want to see the forest for the trees. Every time I sit on the front steps, I am filled with a sense of dread about the overall chaos in the garden right now. (I’m a bit of a control freak in case you weren’t aware.) But, when I actually head out to take photos in it, I can find no end of beautiful little vignettes that capture my eye. It’s funny. “Getting some perspective” usually involves taking a look at the “big picture”, but I see now that that’s not always the case. 😉