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Purple in the Garden of Life

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Purple in our life gardens can often be empowering. When intentionally included in an arrangement, it shares a sentiment of deep love.

Purple in the garden is revered and truly should not go unnoticed. Ever since I watched the original movie, The Color Purple, inspired me to include purple in my garden for what it represents. Many gardeners include this color for balance, harmony, or perhaps because a favored plant has a purple bloom. There are even a few native plants that bloom at what seems like the right time to make a quiet, yet impactful statement. In the latest edition of The Color Purple, the flowers in the landscape have created quite a stir.

I love Celie and all the weeds she encountered throughout her fictional existence. Many women can identify with Celie from events encountered along this journey called life. The book is fiction, yet there are instances where art truly imitates life. In a recent Smithsonian presentation, Miss Celie’s Garden & the Botany of ‘The Color Purple’ with Cola B. Tawkin, the discussion of what kind of flower was growing in the field in the movie, The Color Purple. Most gardeners would see that it is a field of Cosmos. I am a dreamer and would consider a meaningful alternative if the movie was non-fiction. What purple plant is a hardy perennial that would show its resistance to often unbearable conditions?

I could not stop thinking about the period of this movie and how African Americans had a frugal existence. Remember that for many African Americans, there was no money to purchase or time to plant ornamental seeds. Any intentional planting would have been for food and profit. I began to think about native perennial plants that happen to be purple and their significance. The annual Cosmos was the plant featured in the fields, however, everyone knows that a strong African American woman does not have the characteristics of an annual.

COSMOS

Cosmos is such an easy plant to grow. In the ground or a pot, grow Cosmos to enjoy outdoors or in a vase.

For the non-plant folks, Cosmos is an annual. This means in many areas of the country, it starts from seed sown in spring. Cosmos has a long repeat bloom time during the heat of the summer through the middle of autumn. In the warmer zones, when the seed heads are allowed to dry on the stem and fall, this plant will self-sow.

The petals found on the blooms are known to be quite orderly, and uniform. Even with the delicate appearance, the blooms and leaves grace the wire-like stems with a sense of wildness. This randomness of the Cosmos is always appreciated in the meadow and the garden border. Did you know the color of each Cosmos bloom is interpreted differently when used in arrangements?

As I researched the meaning of the name Cosmos, one of the consistent words used in defining it was harmony, joy, love, and balance. In most photos of the young sisters together, there is a field of Cosmos. I could see the joy and the love between the two girls. Nettie and Celie are happy in a world that is balanced between the good and the ugly. Celie and Nettie exhibited unshakeable love. Pregnant while young, her children are given away by her father, who gave her away to a man without her consent. Miss Celie demonstrated the strength of the human spirit even when Mister sent her away for dismissing his advances. Instead of wilting, she quietly became stronger and more resilient.

Yet Celie nor her sister are not annual flowers. I knew there was a flower that I would reflect their strength and presence in each other’s lives. The Native Aster came to mind.

ASTER novae-belgii

Purple and yellow Asters share the vase as a tribute to The Color Purple.

Why the Aster is a question some might ask. The folklore behind the Aster would make it a choice. The Aster evolved from a sentiment of sorrow. Astraea, a mythological, Greek goddess, was not happy. She felt there was a lack of stars at night and cried. As her tears fell to the ground, each one turned into a purple flower, according to the tale. These purple flowers are what we know as Asters. There are other versions of this including Virgo scattering stardust that settled and became purple flowers and more. Mythology tends to romanticize many things. Aster is the Greek word for a star.

The purple Aster symbolizes royalty, wisdom, love, and faith. Observing the characters evolve throughout the movie, each of these virtues becomes evident. With each season, the character’s cycles of life experience the highs and lows that happen with these virtues. Why not imagine that if this were non-fiction, it would be a field of Asters?

This strong flower has endured over time. They often grow three to six feet with stems that stand tall in meadows, moist areas, and full sun. Returning every year, Asters attracts a wealth of birds, bees, and butterflies. A wonderful food source late in the season, Asters spread by rhizomes, and some cultivars spread by seed, naturally.

Asters stand tall in the garden and thrive in less-than-perfect conditions. In my zone 7b garden, I cut the stems of my Asters in half at the end of June. I cut the stems at the rear of the patch, so I have blooms that are just beginning when the front half completes its bloom cycle. These purple blooms are a testament to the strength and dependability of this plant no matter what the temperatures or rainfall were throughout the season.

Celie loved her sister and never gave up on seeing her again. Usually, love between sisters is a commitment to just being in each other’s lives – no matter what. Our life experiences make us wiser as we age and many of us stand on our faith to get us through the roughest of times.

Whether it is Cosmos or Aster, The Color Purple displays meaningful life metaphors that are different for each person. Did you know that Cosmos is in the Asteraceae family? Yes indeed! Its starlike appearance is not just another pretty face in the world of horticulture. While strikingly gorgeous on the surface, it has a deeper quality…like most women.

Celebrating Purple in a Bouquet

I am so glad I saw this movie on the day after Christmas. Creating bouquets with meaning is my way of showing my daughters – Johanna and Thea – how much I love them. To honor this movie, I wanted to create memorable bouquets with a message. I included Lisianthus Select Purple, Yellow Carnations, and Yellow Roses, with a few fillers such as Ruscus and Hypericum. Aster Monarch Purple and Aster Golden Glory added purple and gold, mimicking my late summer garden.

Each of these flowers has a love theme either by cultivar or color. One might symbolize love. Another might represent positivity, strength, or joy. Each of these plants reflects deep-rooted friendships.

The Color Purple is a book and movie that has different meanings for each of us. I have enjoyed watching it with my daughters many times. There are instances we encounter in real life and as we laugh or cry, we say “That is a Color Purple moment”. As we embrace the presence of a new Color Purple movie, I anticipate more conversations with my daughters as we discuss how art imitates life in ways that we never imagined.

If you want to try growing a purple perennial in your garden, here are a few that are easy to find – Salvia, Geraniums, Liatris, Phlox, or Verbena bonariensis. These plants are generally dependable and are noticeable whether short or tall. Many of these plants attract pollinators. When you see the dance of the pollinators by incorporating one or two of these in the garden, you will see how purple is transformative and adds life to the garden.

I think I will intentionally add a patch of Cosmos…pinkish purple perhaps…to honor Miss Celie. Miss Celie will grace my garden this summer by including a gathering of Cosmos. In the fall, I know the Asters will bloom again representing the strength found within.

Thinking about sisterhood…

Teri, Cottage in the Court (NOT AI-generated)

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How to Grow a Garden

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How to Grow a Garden by Ellen Mary ( quercusbooks.co.uk) is a great book to encourage anyone to garden.

It always helps to have a how to manual. For many gardeners, finding a book which offers basic information on how to garden is important. For many new gardeners, how to grow a garden is a daunting proposition. Mary Ellen has carefully written a book that eases the stress of beginning a garden.

Written as a beginners guide to creating a thriving outdoor space, this book is not just for beginners. It encompasses the basics which many gardeners might not remember. This book is a great fresher course, as well as an opportunity to learn something new. Page 37, Why We Garden helps us answer the reason we need this information in an easy to read format.

As the garden community continues to grow, the topic of time and space often enters our minds. How to Grow a Garden touches on these topics like a sprinkling of seasoning- not too intense, but just right. Who knew there are ways to garden if you have ten minutes or an hour? Mary Ellen describes the basics of a container that will continually provide interest throughout the seasons. The thriller, filler, spiller recipe is always a winning combination. Mary provides the reader with a list of basic plants to begin creating an amazing container planting.

Gardening takes time. There are tasks which could take an hour per week and even up to half a day per week. Mary shares examples of timeframes when time is an issue. She even reminds the small space gardener of rule number 1 -Don’t try to squeeze too much in. The information Mary Ellen provides is just enough to keep the gardener thinking about how they want to garden.

In my opinion, the main course of Mary Ellen’s book is Chapter 5 – Keeping Plants Alive. From tips on watering, feeding and weeding, Mary Ellen gently covers the basics of keeping the garden alive. She even touches on pest control – which by summer, is on the minds of many gardeners. Mary addresses the basic questions that will cross many gardeners’ minds.

Mary Ellen serves the reader compost for dessert. How to make it, and use it has been simplified on the pages of this book. It is always great to have a recipe for the proper ingredients to use when beginning composting. She provides a list of the basic items needed for compost to happen organically. The Gardening Year at a Glance provides the gardener something to look for throughout the garden season. It is useful to have a list of what to expect to bloom throughout the season. The author invites the reader to become more knowledgeable about gardening by suggesting additional books and websites.

How to Grow a garden is a great gift for gardeners of all levels. Mary Ellen shares from her experiences and theories, how the reader can have a successful gardening experience. She shares this knowledge and experiences with clarity and enthusiasm.

Thank you Mary Ellen for a book that provides a fulfilling feast for any gardener.

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Flower Petals – Cards of Positivity and Perspective

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Flower petals share their wisdom, if we take time to embrace their beauty.

Flower petals have been popping out in my world all year. Taking the time to enjoy them has been quite the task. I had to intentionally practice self-care at each and every opportunity.

I sought books to read for inner peace, curtailed my social media, and simply rested. Recovery after two years of unintentional pausing, writing books, and working fulltime was not an easy task. Realizing I needed to update The Cottage also became a reality. Working remotely allowed me to see every crack and wrinkle in my home. Upgrades were scheduled which would not allow me to embrace my back yard gardens. I had every intention of creating a micro-cut flower farm. Instead, the contractors waned me to remove plantings along the foundation. The thought of change in my garden was unsettling. In some ways more than the period of unintentional pausing. The search for inner peace as I accepted change was challenging.

As I looked out my window daily, mourning my garden was simply heartbreaking. Flower petals from the Camellias lay like confetti as the winter of 2022 ended. I eagerly awaited the Hellebore flowers on the side of my house. I knew I would have to move them for fear they would be in the way. The Hellebores are remnants of my father’s garden.

Knowing the brevity of Spring, everyday I checked for signs of flowers in my garden. From the early blooming crocus, phlox, to the daffodils, I patiently waited for the sequence of early Spring joy. Each flower petal meant more to me this year than ever before.

As many gardeners know, renovating the garden when you least expect it is a daunting task. The realization that change was destined to take place was difficult. Adulting is hard in many ways. Procrastinating made it difficult to endure, so I began to dig. I potted up all that I could as the flowers from the azaleas littered the ground to remind me that Spring was coming to an end.

Flower petals scattered from the Oso Easy roses allowed me to smile through my tears. Mourning change at The Cottage, the new windows did allow me to see the garden a tad clearer. Next up – the siding.

Older Cottage life is interesting. The Cottage is as seasoned as I am. Sometimes the floors creak, other times another sign of settling appears, yet life goes on. The siding was definitely showing it’s age. It became evident a simple paint job wasn’t going to cut it. I would have preferred to buy more flowers and plants – that was not in the cards for 2022.

To soothe my angst, I found Flower Petals: Blossoming guidance from the garden by Cheralyn Darcey on Etsy. These cards are the perfect small gift . The flower petals of thought are important even today. This period of unintentional change continues as the year draws to a close. The first card I flipped over was a picture of Violet sororia. The words were exactly what I needed to read:

The answers and truths are always within.

I chose to embrace these words and let my disappointment and angst go. Releasing is real and many times we can miss the gift, by holding onto what we cannot change. Since receiving these cards, I make time to pull a new one from the deck, just to keep me in a positive frame of mind.

Today’s card is a Tulip. The words read…

You are worth what it is you desire.

The box suggests using multiple cards sometimes or using them while enjoying aromatherapy. They are great for enhancing positive thoughts, which leads to a sense of well being.

It is October and the renovation is still in full swing. The garden is in a state of unintentional pausing. It is nesting season – yet again. I have this quiet time to look within and define exactly how I want my garden. I can prepare the soil with earthly goodness from local compost. Exploring what is new in the plant world and taking note of what might be Cottage worthy will make me smile. Watching the birds from my new office window, draped with a blanket over my feet, and Precious by my side is worth looking forward to.

As the world continues to move too fast, my daily practice will be simple. I will flip a card from Flower Petals: Blossoming guidance from the garden, as an act of self-care.

Does your garden provide optimism in less than perfect moments? What tools have you discovered during this period of uncertainty, that help re-center your spirit? Change – even when difficult – can be a good thing . It all depends on your perspective.

Flower petals as a part of the garden in our minds provide lingering thoughts of what has been. These flower petals helped me embrace change.

Sitting with Precious and watching the mailbox for catalogs. I wonder what tomorrow’s card will be.

Teri, Cottage in the Court

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Kwanzaa In A Community Garden

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Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, culture, and community.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration in the African American community. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor, and scholar created this to honor our roots. Like a tree, our roots are the foundation of our existence. Growing up in Washington, DC, I rememberlearning about the basic principles that are key to this celebration in school. We drafted reports about it and knew exactly what each day meant. It is a widespread practice to share Kwanzaa celebrations at home in the African American Community.

As Mr. Anthony Brooks and I, co-chair of the Fiesta PlaceCommunity Garden, we noticed these principles are a part of the garden. The founder, Deborah Turner, has grown Fiesta Place Community Garden from an unused street to a place where like-minded gardeners meet, grow, and share. Deborah has chosen to pass the baton on to keep the garden growing. We are excited abut the possibilities as we continue to grow an engaged community.

As we focus on building positive communities it is important for community engagement, corporate involvement, and uplifting of our youth. Utilizing these seven principles in everyday life is very much like gardening. Each principle
is like a seed. Each seed has a specific purpose for building strong communities. If you are not familiar with the seven principles of Kwanzaa, allow me to share.

Day 1 – Umoja (Unity)

This principle has already taken root. A united group of community members have built beds, put together a shed, and maintained the dream of future expansion. Dr. Karenga would be proud that the seed of unity within the community is already taking root.

Day 2 – Kujichagulia (Self-determination)

Over the past ten-plus years, there has been a dedicated effort to encourage growing a gardening community. Working with the Neighborhood Design Center to produce a conceptual plan was important. The determination to explore the right plan, bringing the community together continues to be important to the residents of
District Heights.

Day 3 – Ujima (Collective work and responsibility)

As of 2022, there is a new team in place to sow more seeds and try new things as we collectively work and share the responsibility of the Fiesta Place Community Garden. We want our community residents to connect and share, become
active in the garden, as we grow.

Day 4 – Ujamaa (Cooperative economics)

Efforts to uplift a community create a more cohesive community. Helping grow the next generation of gardeners who might consider agriculture, floriculture, or other green industry jobs is important. Everyone does not want to be a
vegetable farmer and we need to realize that. Sharing ways to re-consider a skill or trade might open a new perspective on growing vegetables and more.

Day 5 – Nia (Purpose)

One might ask, what is the purpose of having a community garden? Simply stated, to bring people together, create an outdoor space for positive activities that embrace all the community. There was a time where people bartered with each other. One household grew tomatoes. A neighbor down the street would grow peppers. Families often traded their harvests. The food we grew was not just for our households. It was crucial to the health of the community. Teaching each other how to cook, preserve, and create, came naturally. The mindset of treating the community like family continues today.

Day 6 – Kuumba (Creativity)

This is one principle of Kwanzaa that I hold close to my heart. Dr. Karenga considered it a call to action. He challenges us to use our creativity. Our goal is to grow a community space we can be proud of. It will be beneficial to our mental health and beautiful as well. By incorporating creative programming, more community outreach, and conversation – Fiesta Place Community Garden will continue to grow.

Day 7 – Imani (Faith)

Our community has had its difficulties. Through it all, the Fiesta Place Community Garden has survived. The Fiesta Place Community Garden is a space for activities, peace, and community healing. The faith of those who have supported
this project has never wavered. It is faith that will help us continue to grow this community legacy of love.

The Fiesta Place Community Garden uses the seven principles of Kwanzaa to build a better community. Celebrating Kwanzaa is like tending a garden. We need to cultivate and fertilize these principles as often as possible. Creating a
place that is good for positive mental stimulation has proven to build communities. The garden should always feed the mind, body, ad soul. The Fiesta Place Garden has a purpose in District Heights. Our purpose will continue to embrace and share with each other, as we grow.

Growing better communities are more important now than ever. It does not have to be a community garden. When creating a garden there are several basic steps. Choosing your community is like selecting the site. Preparing a fertile
environment is the second step. Including input from the community are the soil amendments. Sowing a positive seed and watching it grow is where the fun begins.

It is a process, which is not always easy. As the seed breaks dormancy and growth becomes visible, the community will come. As they become more involved, it is like cultivating the earth. Consistent involvement of an engaged community will help build a solid foundation. Fertilization is offering opportunities for community involvement. Holding space for the talented among us to share will support communal growth.

Establishing a community that creates positive engagements is something that we are all responsible for. As the world continues to change, the conversations are changing as well. Our communities look different. Keeping harmony in the
community involves inclusion, equity, and embracing diversity.

Whether you practice Kwanzaa or not, consider the principles. Imagine sowing them into the soil of your community. Observe the growth that takes place. It starts with one person noticing a need and providing a positive environment for growth. Small steps can make a significant difference. If we do not create livable, thriving communities now, when will we?

Kwanzaa celebrations begin the day after Christmas and continue for seven days. This does not mean we stop
embracing the basic principles. It should mean that we incorporate them as a part of daily living. In doing so, each day presents the opportunity of building a positive community. Like a garden, fertile soil always produces a beautiful harvest. 

Do you celebrate building community as you acknowledge your ancestral roots? Is creating a beautiful community where everyone plays a role important?

The anticipation of continuing to practice the seven principles of Kwanzaa daily brings me joy. I am excited about creating positive change at Fiesta Place Community Gardens and growing a better community.

Looking for my cool season seeds and dreaming of 2022! 

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Deer-Resistance – A Possibility In the Northeast

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Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast is a great
resource for gardeners of all skill levels.

Deer-resistant plants are a hot topic on the tongues of many gardeners. Most gardeners in the Northeast have a love-hate relationship with deer. Fact or fiction? Do we really have native plants that are pretty as an option? Is there a gardener that has experienced these resistant plants? Are there native plants that are relatively resistant to damaging predators? Oh, the questions are endless.

THE BOOK

Ruth Rogers Clausen and Greg Tepper co-authored a book addressing possible answers to this dilemma. Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast is a new book that offers alternatives to going gardenless. Ruth Rogers-Clausen is an acclaimed speaker and author. She wrote 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants and other essential books on gardening. Gregory D. Tepper is a professional horticulturist and quite the speaker. Gregory is currently sharing his talents at the Arboretum at Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill Cemeteries. Having worked together at the Delaware Botanic Gardens, this duo knows deer. Their combined knowledge shines on the pages of this book.

Whitetail deer often haunt commercial job sites. Homeowners have been discouraged by obvious nibbling on a beloved plant. Not having a garden is unthinkable for many people. Many new gardeners worry about the reality of combatting these creatures. The popularity of native plants is undeniable. Gardening with natives has become quite “the” thing. This book offers many options from annuals to shrubs.

The authors first identified common characteristics of most deer-resistant plants. Their combined experience has produced a few native plants that work. This book simply shares its findings for the reader’s benefit. The result is knowing we can create beautiful gardens which are resistant.

PLANT RESOIURCES

This is not a book of plant lists. It identifies characteristics of suggested plants, growing tips, and gorgeous photos. The authors even offer companion planting suggestions. Did you know that ferns are rarely bothered by deer? These authors suggest several to consider including in a shade garden. Let’s not forget the grass, sedge, and shrub options. These native plant suggestions offer mostly unbothered beauty in the garden.

One shrub that has been dependable in the landscape is Virginia sweetspire (Iteaceae). I have grown this shrub in my garden for years. It never occurred to me that it is deer resistant. I just loved the seasonal color and the fragrant blooms. This is a multi-tasking shrub that attracts pollinators. An amazing option for almost any garden.

RESOURCES

These authors leave us with many reliable resources. No need to spend endless hours looking for “the” safe plant. The resource section offers mail-order resources and reading options. Understanding how to choose plants for a deer-resistant garden is not hard. Knowing where to buy is half the battle. Reading for better comprehension is always helpful. Did I mention the useful websites at the end of the book?

This trustworthy duo has written a book that will be useful as we consider our gardens this year. Deer are beautiful frolicking in a natural environment. The garden we want can include resistant plants for beauty. I highly suggest adding this book to enhance your garden experience.

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