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Valor – Perennials Found In Life’s Garden

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Valor found in my family was James A. Speight, Jr, My Dad was quite proud of serving his country,

Valor as defined by Merriam Webster means strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness. The word “valor” defines our Veterans. Men and women who have served in the military are honored as they exhibited the absence of indecision as they faced life or death in battle. This is valor at the highest level.

HISTORY

On Memorial day, many simply view this as the beginning of summer. This was not the intended purpose of this weekend. According to History.com, in 1868, General John Logan declared May 30th as a day to recognize soldiers killed in the Civil war. After World War I, the United States changed this day to honor Veterans of all wars. All things change over time. In 1968, The Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed by Congress changed the date. We now recognize Memorial Day on the last Monday of May.

Reading the book, Race and Reunion by Professor David Blight (Yale), adds a different date and perspective. Mr. Blight identified an 1865 Memorial day event. Documented in The New York Tribune and The Charleston Courier, the Washington Race Course was significant in recognizing those lost in battle. After digging up and properly burying 260 Union soldiers, there was a Memorial event. 10,000 people gathered to properly “send off” the deceased. The 54th Massachusetts Regiment, other African American regiments, white missionaries, and even freed African Americans participated in the events of the day. Mr. Blight faced adversity as he validated his research. The events beyond the newspapers of the day are suppressed.

Recognizing valor is a part of our lives. Being dependable, steadfast, and honestly reliable is important. Our lives have perennial people that have served in the military. These people have shown valor in serving our country. As I think about life, there are a few plants that exhibit valor in our life gardens.

PLANTED VALOR

Perennials are dependable plants in our gardens. They thrive and multiply, ensuring that they stand firmly as placeholders in our gardens. Veterans are there for us always. Perennials are dependable and represent valor in the garden. Allow me to break down a few perennials that spell out valor.

V – Verbena Bonariensis

Verbena Bonariensis is a perennial that stands on rigid stems, rising above the garden, as it attracts beneficial insects to the garden. Newer cultivars come in shorter heights to accommodate any size garden.

A – Achillea

Achillea, also known as Yarrow is a spreading hardy perennial. Proven to be dependable in spite of the drought, great as a cut flower and year after year.

L – Liatris

Liatris is a pollinator magnet for birds and butterflies. This corm is durable and hardy even in clay soils. A native prairie plant that is also great as a cut flower.

O – Oenethera

Long blooming, dependable, and eager to spread, Oenethera certainly exhibits horticultural valor. It is known for attracting moths and other nighttime beneficial insects.. This plant also has a delightful fragrance.

R- Rudbeckia

Most are familiar with this long-blooming ray of sunshine in the garden. It bridges the gap in a perennial border as well as attracts beneficial pollinators.

Perennials sometimes have annuals with similar names. These plants show up with such grandeur for one season. After one season, they fizzle out. Sometimes, they will sow seed. The valor shown by a perennial is reliable, noteworthy, and often priceless.

REFLECTIONS ON VALOR

My dad was such a big part of my life. Often sharing his experiences good and bad as the only African American in his platoon. Dad traveled to the Philippines snd even California to build military bases. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1961 to join the love of his life. Together, they raised us as a team. I am glad to have had a parent who served in the Armed Forces. The experiences my Dad shared have been quite valuable.

A good friend of mine reminded those on social media platforms of the proper words to say on this Veterans Day. It is not appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day, per Kim. She is a proud Veteran. I asked if she had words to share, “As a military brat, veteran, and spouse, Memorial Day has always been very important to me. It’s the day I honor my Uncle Herman and all the men and women who died in the war.”, Kim Roman, SSgt USAF 1977-1982. I am proud to know Kim and I appreciate her service.

Many people reading this know a Veteran who lost their lives in battle. Some Veterans came home with have battles continuing in their minds. There are some Veterans who are in need of mental health services. For several years, I rode with friends in Rolling Thunder. The emotion I experienced as I listened to stories of survival left quite the impression in my heart. These Veterans are proud to have survived. TheseVeterans continue to mourn their brothers and sisters who did not survive to rejoin the world they protected from danger.

This is the designated weekend where we collectively remember those who exhibited Valor. Remember they are the true perennials in our life gardens. We need perennial people who exhibit valor in our life gardens. A garden with perennials of valor is a great way to remember our Veterans.

I honor my Dad and all of the true Veterans this weekend. With a reflective spirit, I appreciation of their service. Are you honoring a true Veteran this weekend?

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Celosia – Purposefully Pink In The Garden

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Celosia is an annual with benefits that bring joy to those who include it in their gardens.

Imagine finding a pink Celosia in the garden in October, a month where we honor cancer survivors. When I noticed this bloom, my imagination saw a flamenco dancer. A beautiful bloom, ready to dance and raise her skirt, twirling about with glee. We know the journey is not easy, but Celosia says it all in a single bloom.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Did you know that about 279, 000 people – not just women – will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer? It is estimated that there will be approximately 42,690 deaths from breast cancer alone. The statistics for other cancers are just as dismal. Survival is achievable with support from friends and family…in addition to more research. To find more statistical details on how cancer affects all of us, click here.

HIGHS AND LOWS

Like the soft ruffles of the Celosia, there are many ups and downs all along the journey.

Most survivors will tell you that there are those days when hope is nowhere to be found. The high and lows along the way can be minimize with love and support from family and friends. As a survivor of this disease, there is a knowing of how difficult each day can be. Yet, survivors can celebrate how it CAN be overcome.

SEEDS OF HOPE

Celosia blooms hold an abundance of seeds.

As you can see, the bloom of the Celosia holds many seeds. I like to think that the seeds are simply seeds of hope. Hope that this disease can be caught earlier, with more research there is cure, and hope that the rate of survival increases.

UNEXPECTED BENEFITS

Imagine adding Celosia to a meal that will add iron, calcium, and more.

In my zone 6b garden, Celosia is considered an annual. It offers a beautiful late season bloom that takes beauty in the garden up to frost. This plant hails from countries like Africa, Asia, and India. It also has many names like brain flower, wool flower, and more.

In China, it might be referred to as ‘chi kuan’. Nigeria knows this plant as an edible and it is commonly called ‘Soko”. As an edible, the leaves, stems, and even the flower spikes can be utilized for nourishment. Imagine a delicious stew with a few colorful blooms tossed in.

This plant symbolizes affection, silliness, and joy. Including a few stems in flower arrangements for giving seems appropriate. Creating an arrangement with Celosia will provide long-lasting beauty for 5 or more days. Another way to extend the show is to air dry them. These blooms tend to hold onto their color, velvety texture, and form which can cause quite a stir in a vase. As they are fragrance-free, adding this beautiful bloom to almost any arrangement would bring a smile to anyone’s day.

CELOSIA FOR A CAUSE

Celosia celebrates Breast Cancer Month with a bloom that dances in support of the survivors!

Celebrating the ups and downs of healing, appreciating the benefits along the way, and the joy of survival, are reflected in the Celosia bloom. Like a flamenco dancer, Celosia dances and celebrates our cancer survivors!

Have you had a mamogram this year? Are you celebrating survival?

Honoring all of those I know that have survived this disease, mourning those we have lost, and praying for more research so we bid good riddance to cancer!

Miss you Lexi…

Reflecting,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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GWA – A Perennial Resource

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What would our gardens be without perennial? For once I am not talking about a perennial in the outdoor garden. I am thinking about the perennials in our day-to-day lives. If we look at the many definitions of perennial, the common theme is the ability to keep occurring. I became familiar with the attributes of this perennial on the way to Niagara Falls Parks.

Niagara Falls in all of its August beauty! View from the Canadian side.

The Association of Garden Writers Annual Conference (more about that later) was held in Buffalo, New York. This was such a great event and the memories linger in my mind. From educational opportunities, garden tours, food, and fun – it is an event that I had been anticipating all year.  I had no idea that the best take away from the event was a new perennial for my life garden.

When I attend this conference, I always look for someone new to spend time with and get to know. As I looked for an empty seat on the bus, I noticed this swath of gray hair barely visible from behind the seat ahead. It was this little guy who just seemed to always show up. Whether it was for the Karaoke or the food – this perennial character continually showed up. My new perennial is not a plant, his name is Eddie Rhoades.

Eddie Rhoades, Songwriter, Performer, Comedian and Plantsman.

Eddie is from Marietta, Georgia and he can crack some memorable jokes. A dutiful husband, a loving grandfather, and lover of trees in the landscape. Eddie has grafted a secret citrus tree that will rock the world one day. Caring for a perennial in any garden means you have to get to know the plant. I had to get to know Eddie as we rode to Canada to enjoy the day viewing the gardens of Niagara Park.

Eddie took his initial pose with such grace. I could sense his excitement of this experience.

I clearly remember Eddie’s eyes – the twinkle and amazement of looking out at the American side.  Noticing the people at different levels across the rushing waters and pointing this out to me. I hope Eddie did not see the gentle tear that slid down my face as I shared this moment with him.  Our earth has me quite emotional at times.

Eddie REALLY got into the moment as he wanted to capture this view from the Canadian side as well.

Eddie was insistent on capturing me as well, so I turned the camera over for my photo session.

Cottage In The Court in Canada at Niagara Falls. Oh, what a beautiful time I had. I made another memory at Niagara Falls Park.

Eddie and I stood in awe of this phenomenal moment in time. I thought about how our perennials are like the Senior citizens in our life gardens. Sometimes we have to feed them differently, most seniors are careful about the amount of food they eat. We often consider what we plant next to our favorite longstanding perennial, so the beauty will not be lost from a new introduction. New neighbors can sometimes be overwhelming to our Seniors. Natural pruning of the circle of life occurs as our seniors lose spouses, family, and friends. I had to seize this opportunity with Eddie Rhoades since seeing Niagara Falls was something he never imagined.

Eddie Rhoades and Cottage In The Court at Niagara Falls, Canada. An unimagined moment in my life garden.

I have much more to share about The Association of Garden Writers and Communicators Conference. There were phenomenal tours, tons of takeaways from awesome vendors, a gracious swag bag and of course plants – even more perennials. THIS kind of gift for my perennial garden of life has just captured my heart. The bus trip to and from Niagara Falls Park was a reminder of the importance of perennials in the garden.

How does your life garden grow? Is it filled with annuals or perennials? Do you carefully tend to your perennials to encourage recurring beauty?

From the Cottage,

Teri

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