This morning I saw a homemade sign that read: "Perennials for sale"
I drive the few blocks and see a cute blue cottage on a hill. The sign points to the back and I drive up a steep gravel driveway. Behind the house is only what I can describe as a secret garden. About a half acre enclosed by lattice is covered,, I mean COVERED in flowers. Every color and size you can imagine. Roses of pink, yellow, red, white and the palest pink. Irises bluer that blue. Daisies the size of small plates. Asters, sage, and Queen Ann's Lace, Lambs ear, and those large purple ball flowers.
I was so entranced I didn't hear the owner of the property until he had called to me 3 times and finally poked me. He was in his late 50's and sweating profusely from his bald dome. He kept rubbing a handkerchief on the back of his neck and was making a wheezing sound.
He asked if I was interested in buying some of his plants. I said yes and looked around to see no plants in containers to purchase. When I asked him where they were he replied, "In the ground, you dig 'em up" At first I thought he was just thinning his garden.. perhaps to make room for more wonderful flowers?
"No, I am getting rid of the garden." He said matter of factly. My jaw dropped and I stared at him as if he had turned into a Praying Mantis right before my eyes. After a moment I was able to pick up my tongue, wipe it off and say, "Why the Hell would you get rid of this glorious garden???"
Seems he inherited the house from his aunt and didn't want to bother with the up keep. I turned away from him and looked at the beautiful secret garden and caught a glimpse of an older woman with a big straw hat collecting roses. She was wearing a long flowing dress and crying petals of tears.
I felt sick as I watched a dozen people creedily digging up huge clumps of plants. I watched a small child of 4 or 5 ripping the heads off every flower he could reach. I turned with out looking at the man and I didn't say a word as he said "Hey! Where are you going?" I drove away and didn't look back.
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Comments: 29
When I was growing up we had the luck of buying a house that had gorgeous prize Hybrid Roses in just about every color imaginable. After my Mother died (I was 15) and some time passed I urged my Father to date because he was so lonely and sad. Before his date I would go and cut a dozen of our prettiest roses and he would give them to his date. After we sold the house a few years later someone bought it and tore all of the beautiful roses out of the Rose garden. It was so sad when I would drive by I wanted to cry and I probably did but I cannot recall. I just remember seeing that vacant space where memories were born as well as roses.
thanks all
I would have bought some flowers and given them a good home if I were you. Instead you left alot of them to be beheaded by that kid.
For others (like myself) getting your hands into the soil is so rewarding. My berries, fruit, veggies, grapes, roses...all need me to care for them. I made a lovely arrangement tonight of the first rose crop and threw in some purple Columbine too. Simple and yet beautiful.
That man in your article is very much the concrete type. He thinks that flowers are too much work (goodness knows most care for, and re-seed themselves). Little does he know that nature and those flowers he's learned to hate will keep him young. They will fill his heart.
I like to share my plants and veggies with friends. I can't even imagine life without my gardens.
Leah, I have been expanding my garden this year.. my climbing roses survived another winter and I have added a dozen more perennials to my front garden. Now if my back will hold out....
nathan,, your wife may be pulling up diseased roses to save the others? I hope...