:: asphodelus fistulosus ::

A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.'~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 And, for sure, if these onionweed took over more than their share of the garden, I, too, would see them as a weed.

:: plumeria ::

Living in Northern NSW for a couple of years was heavenly for frangipani appreciation.

The frangipani is one of my very favourite flowers. 

In season they seemed to be everywhere, dropping their scented gorgeousness all over the ground in white and yellow pools.  

It was so satisfying to collect up a big handful and carefully bring them home to float in this big bowl on our back deck with a monstera leaf...happy days.

:: tagetes patula ::

 A few years ago now I completed a one year visual arts and comtemporary craft course while living in Northern NSW, Australia.  It was heaven.  So much to explore and so much hands on playtime.

For one of my assignments I chose to research the life and work of Andy Goldsworthy, an environmental sculptor and ephemeral artist.

In the grounds of the college where I was studying I  made a small token example of his kind of work using many heads of the French Marigold blooming copiously in our small vegetable garden plus hundreds of leaves from the hedge.

These buttressed roots of a beautiful coolamon tree were the perfect vessel.

:: origanum vulgare ::

oregano or wild marjoram

:: chamaemelum nobile ::

Gradually I hope to build up a range of multi-purpose plants that mostly take care of themselves, mostly perennial, and if not, annuals that manage to self-seed.

Roman Chamomile deserves a place in our garden as it matches these criteria well.  

It appeared cheerily of its own accord this season - check.

There will be cups of chamomile tea to enjoy, to settle stomachs and aid digestion - check.

It may help lighten someone's blonde locks - check.

It looks beautiful peeking out amongst the other herbs along the path out to the gardens - check.

:: petroselinum crispum ::

Many edible plants are tossed out once they begin to make a flower shoot, all energy now diverted to fulltime reproduction, away from the edible parts, the end is nigh and it is only weeks before those flowers turn into a seed head and the plant then starts to die. Another sad belief is that plants 'bolting to seed' are ugly and unsightly in the  garden.  What a shame. 

parsley

One of the absolute joys of gardening is watching a plant grow all the way from the tiny sprouted seedling to the mother plant creating hundreds (usually, if not thousands) of seeds to bring forth another generation. And not only do I find joy in this - there are the multitudes of insects that also feed on the flowers and find refuge in the seedheads to consider.

For these reasons I allow edibles to flower in the garden where space and time permit. Finding the offspring of the plants that flowered in the weeks or months to come beginning their own journeys in our garden is very special indeed.

:: lobularia maritima ::

The big 'C' - yep - that's what this blog is about tonight - I repeat - tonight.  Committment.  I've had all day to make an entry here and here I am at ten-something pm and only just getting it done!  So easy to just slope off to bed...

sweet alyssum (and a touch of clover)

...but I realise that as much as any of the other reasons I have for writing this blog, committment is a powerful one.  Making time for this outlet in my day.  Making time to stop and find beauty. Making time and honouring it each day.