Sharing and Remembering

Through the years, my family members, friends and I have exchanged numerous specimens of favourite plants.  As I look at my gardens that contain a wonderful assortment of perennials and shrubs, I reminisce about the people who generously added to the collection – where we were and what was happening in our lives at the time. 

More proof, if it’s needed, that the garden is a place where not only co-operation, good planning and hard work happen, it is also a place where good memories dwell. 

Some of my plants that travelled several times over many miles during transitional periods settled nicely into new garden patches, and continue to thrive.  Perhaps the most successful in that regard is the hardy Shasta daisy – a hybrid produced by horticulturist Luther Burbank in 1890, and named after Mount Shasta because of its snow-white petals.

Long a favourite of mine, this strong, old-fashioned plant with bright yellow centres in its large white flowers contrasts beautifully with others in a mixed border.  Even when the blossoms are finished, the dark green foliage provides a good background.  Attractive to bees and butterflies, the flowers are excellent in cut-flower arrangements, and will last up to ten days in water that is regularly freshened.

My original Shasta daisy plant lived in a relative’s garden during a brief period of change in my life about thirty years ago.  When I was again able to establish gardens, I brought it home.  Since that time, as it spread and required dividing, I planted some in different areas of the garden. 

In the spirit of paying it forward, I gave substantial root clumps to several people – some avid gardeners including a local storekeeper who gave me a hydrangea, and some novices interested in learning about the activity that consumes most of my time and energy during good weather.