Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Lavender and Silver

wisteria opening

            The first time my husband, John and I visited Corgi Cottage, Tasha led us to the upper bedroom with the canopy bed and long shelves holding her gardening books. From that point on, I called it the garden room because of the books and the splendid view of Tasha’s garden. But also, because of the tendrils of wisteria threading underneath the window and into the room. I’m sure Tasha didn’t plan on that vine sneaking into the bedroom, but its presence fitted the personality of Tasha who loved her gardens and reminded me of the garlands that often framed her illustrations.
            At that time, I didn’t know that it was a wisteria vine, because most of my experiences with climbing plants were with morning glories, clematis and ivy. I was unprepared for the waterfall of silvery, lavender cones of flowers cascading down the wall of her weathered cottage. The blossoms perfumed the air beneath our window. Their scent floated through the yard while a white-crowned sparrow sang, “Poor Sam, Peabody, Peabody, Peabody,” and the sun painted the western sky apricot.
            Naturally, I pestered Tasha about the wisteria, and as soon as I arrived home, ordered two plants from a nursery. I planted them in front of my garden shed, envisioning a similar stunning display of blossoms. But nothing happened. I added more compost, mulched the plants, and still they did not bloom. So on my next visit, during the winter when Tasha’s vine slept, I asked many questions.
            “Try chopping at its roots, and don’t add any compost this year, maybe cut it back a bit,” Tasha advised. “And you might have to visit a nursery and purchase a blooming wisteria plant in order to know that have one that has the potential to bloom.”

            I tried Tasha’s gardening tricks, minus buying new nursery stock, but my plants only grew vibrant leaves. Seven years after planting the wisteria, I notice cone-shaped buds forming along a few of the branches. On a warm May afternoon, they unfurled, like theater curtains, and draped the roof of my garden shed. Bumblebees hovered among the blossoms. The sweetness of wisteria filled my lungs each time I lingered beneath the lavender shower. That evening while walking with my corgi, a hermit thrush’s silver call rippled through the woods, the wisteria shimmered in the sunset, and mirrored the splendor of Tasha’s garden.

8 comments:

  1. What a lovely recollection, thank you :-) Wisteria is such a southern loving plant it is incredibly hard to grow in New ENgland usually. A testament to Tasha's green thumb!
    Suzanne

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    1. Probably, Tasha chose that location knowing that it would offer the plant a more southern clime.
      Thank you for the praises!

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  2. A wonderful story of an endearing experience turning into such fond memories, and how patience and dedication gives way to sweet~sweet gratification! :-) It must be so lovely and fragrant as they bloom now!! Mmmm! :-)
    I have my own (almost fatal)tale to tell of how when I moved here to this old wonderful home, that was 5 yrs neglected by renters, with a secret back yard that was so entangled with so many types of vines that it reminded me of "Sleeping Beauty's realm"!!! My Mom and I decided to try to tame it all and went at it with snippers!! I chopped at what was all over the tall large pine tree and what was heavily clinging to the antique shutters threatening to crush and bring them down!! We had much to burn that week, but fortunately I could not get to it all!! What survived proved to be a glorious wisteria!!! It now beautifully drapes the second floor window where my Mom stays! It is very pleasurable to see inside and out!!
    I am wondering do you know much about the seeds? I just sent a pod to Heather in hopes that is will grow in Oklahoma :-D
    Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful memories XX OO
    Love, warmth and many blessings, Linnie

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    1. What a wonderful tale! I loved the vision of your backyard, smothered in vines. And how wonderful that you have wisteria scenting the air and draped over your mother's window :)

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  3. After visiting Corgi Cottage in 2014 I fell in love with Tasha's Climbing Hydrangea that draped the entrance to her greenhouse and acquired one for my garden upon my return. To my great disappointment It did not bloom last year. Hopefully--this year!

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    1. I had a climbing hydrangea that perished in a winter storm that ripped it off the garden shed. Patience, they grow rapidly and yours will bloom, too. Robins liked to nest in mine.

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  4. The Wisteria I planted 3 years back has been an incredible grower, nearly covering one side of my porch's roof last year, but with barely a single bloom. So I mounted the roof with my clippers in hand and pruned the heck out of it in March, leaving only what was on the arbor. In April, it was literally covered with most fragrant and pendulous blooms I had seen! Pruning really paid off, and I used all the branches and vines to make a lovely little wattle fence garden border.

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  5. Ah, so kind of you to tell how pruning brought forth more blossoms! I'll have to snip mine back more, and wait for the next spring.

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