Happy Monday, GPODers!
For those of us who were lucky enough to be raised by plant lovers and surrounded by gardens, certain summer blooms often spark nostalgia and conjure special memories with loved ones. This is exactly the case for Kathy Lilac in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Kathy first shared her garden with us last year, showcasing blooms that start off the fall season (Early Fall Blooms in Kathy’s Garden). Today she is back to share some summer flowers that hold a little more meaning.
Walking through my yard brings up memories of loved ones no longer with me. My aunts inspired me to appreciate gardening and shared some of their plants with me. When they bloom, I am reminded of happy times in my aunts’ company. My dad had a small yard, but there was always something blooming. My brother also loves plants and frequently shares some of his favorites with me. Gardening is more than just plants. It is the joy of appreciating nature and remembering those who planted that seed in us.
My dad loved birds, and I try to encourage them to visit with numerous birdhouses, birdbaths, and bird feeders.
This adorable birdhouse is surrounded by the vibrant blooms of coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens, Zones 4–9).
He had purple petunias in the yard, and I planted some this year as a remembrance of him.
My aunts shared daylilies and a clematis plant with me. They bloom every year, and my thoughts turn to happy memories of growing up with my aunts.
Another stunning and special plant, potentially the daylily cultivar ‘Hall’s Pink’ (Hemerocallis ‘Hall’s Pink’, Zones 3–9)
My brother shared a tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium, Zones 5–8) with me last year, and it just bloomed for the first time. So pretty!
Thank you so much for sharing these very special plants with us, Kathy! This would have been a beautiful submission even if we did not know the significant meaning and memories tied to each of these blooms, but the personal insight gave us even more to appreciate and admire.
What plants spark memories in your garden? Do you have gifted plants that transport you back to the day you received them, or is there a flower that brings to mind a special someone, no matter how many times you see it? Let us know in the comments, or consider sharing photos of these meaningful plants with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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