UNDER THE TRELLIS - Early May 2021

 Oh Glorias Spring at last, how long have we awaited Thee! We sing it from the rooftops, feel it with the sunrise and breathe it in deeply as the day ends amidst sparkling golden rays on baby new leaves.  More than ever, since so much is unfamiliar & unexpected, the constancy of this magnificent season comes on strong and YES, we take notice!

 Above is Akebia quinata, chocolate vine or 5 leaf Akebia that is finally blooming after many sparse years.

Above is Flowering Plum 'thundercloud' that gives us a showy spring display. With all the confusion and misplacement in our culture now,  we feel the unhappiness, fear and discontent rage at times and in odd places.. A nasty look from a shopkeeper who reminds you to keep your mask above your nose.  An impatient driver, wearing his fury on his steering wheel swerves and almost hits me.  Still, we each need to remember our own inner joy, balance and forgiveness. We're all over-extended with endless info coming at us from every unanticipated direction. Despite my easy circumstances compared to most, financial balance, endless countryside to roam, a partner of valor to enjoy, I’ve had my bouts of low mood, stifled wanderlust and plain boredom.  This too shall pass and we must work daily to maintain our equilibrium. Below is another spring show stopper, Saucer Magnolia.

 I have been beyond astonished to see my husband of 44 years become a gardener.  I never dreamed this could happen. The garden was always my sacred castle.  For most of our lives, his work-a-day world allowed him little time for anything other than family and some personal pleasures, but this? He is out all day weeding and planning, making suggestions for improvements in structure and form. I am utterly delighted! ! Now I have a true partner on my mystical garden path. And the garden reflects this input! Here is an example of a retaining wall and steps David recently put in. I adore the order it brings to this previously unkempt side of the house.

Paired with his strong muscles and astute eye for composition is an entire new crop of heritage roses.  Little did I know when an acquaintance passed by my garden one day and inquired about my roses in particular, that I would be meeting the wonderful and dedicated folks of the Eugene Heritage Rose Society.  Almost like breathing, I have acquired more and more heritage roses! They are all budding and about to bloom, so you are soon to be regaled with their beauty. Stay tuned for the next post coming soon! 

Above are yummy snap and snow peas, about to fill in so the grandkids can gobble them up right off the vine! Us grown-ups too!