each success as completely miraculous and each failure as an expected consequence

Siberian iris, weigelia, clematis, hollyhocks, and the Johnson's Blue geraniums are all starting to bloom.  I just stare in amazement at the wonder of these plants doing that thing they do again and again, year after year.

When I was a younger gardener I got frustrated when things died.  The lilacs that got too wet the year we moved in, the first Japanese maple that got zapped by a late freeze, the forsythia that tried it's best to thrive in several spots before it finally fizzled out, and on and on and on.  I have learned with time and some schooling from my gardening mentors that some things only just last so long and have to be replaced.  

Carol's philosophy of zen gardening is in seeing each success as completely miraculous and each failure as an expected consequence.   Pretty deep, I know. 

Comments

[Carol Gossett]

Hollyhocks=pure magic...at least in my book!

[Judy H.]

I completely subscribe to your zen gardening philosophy. I have managed to keep alive plenty of fussier plants, while killing off several rounds of 'natives'. Go figure. My first hydrangea (Incrediball) is setting blooms now. Can. Not. Wait. :)

[Linda Watson]

It is pretty deep, actually. Sometimes, here in So Calif, it's easy to forget. People try to force annuals to live year round just because they tend to hang on. But the season is over, the light is less, or more, time to move along. I say this while watching my neighbor planting marigolds in deep shade, just like she did last year. And like last year, I'm sure she's going to be frustrated.

[Barbara]

Hey Carol!! Reading a good book now that I thought you had reviewed, but not seeing it in a post, so maybe I found out about it on another blog. If you have not read it, I think you will like The Storied Life of A.J.Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. I enjoy all your book reviews and have found many good books through your recommendations. Let me know if you like this one!! Also, are you on Goodreads? Have a great weekend!!

[Dottie Moss]

Hi Carol, happy last weekend to see you. Looking forward to witnessing miracles and learning in our garden in New Mexico. I like that you move things around to different spots-- like Mom and Dad did.

[jan b.]

Curious to know which clematis that might be. Does it have a silvery tint down the length of each petal? I had one many years ago that was mislabeled and have never been able to find another like it. So beautiful!

[jeanette, mistress of longears]

When people ask my why some plant died, I aways start by saying, "We are ALL going to die." Funny, no one ever asks about plants again.