Welcome to Cottage in the Court

#appreciatenature

Purple in the Garden of Life

By Leave a Comment

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)

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Fall in Love with Fall

By Leave a Comment

Fall in love with Fall. This is easy to do if you plant late blooming Perennials.

Fall is usually when most gardeners are busy pulling spent annuals or cutting back plants that have outgrown their space in the garden. I want to encourage gardeners to stop, pause, or even procrastinate while in the garden. In our minds, there is so much to do. My question is, why? Why does Fall make some people fall out of love with their gardens?

Research has shown that leaving something for overwintering beneficial insects is a terrific idea. As a gardener, simply stopping and observing allows one to really see what’s happening in the garden. All is not ‘dead’, and the garden is not done. In fact, as the garden begins to rest, plant roots snuggle in to grow quietly uninterrupted.

I almost gave up on seeing these dahlias bloom. Pausing allowed me to enjoy them along with the bees.

When we pause, it allows us to reconfigure our green spaces. Perhaps add a new bed or extend an existing bed. Limb up a tree, allowing a more diverse bed to evolve from additional light. Maybe decide on placing a summer blooming shrub or a shrub with winter color that can be enjoyed from a window. Pausing, simply put, allows us to look at the garden as a complete sentence. A sentence waiting for colorful edits of plant material or even hardscaping.

Procrastination often gets a bad rap. Consider this scenario. You totally clean up the garden on a fall weekend. Bags are lined up at the curb, football is on, and the task is finished, right? WRONG. Consider leaving that crossing branch until mid-winter before pruning. Maybe stack a few twigs towards the back of the garden, providing protection for wildlife throughout the winter. Don’t do everything all at once. Take your time. Experiencing the fall garden can become a great excuse to just breathe in some crisp air and reimagine your garden.

Watching the bees dancing on my Dad’s mum always makes me smile. Mums were his pride and joy, especially when they were in full bloom and buzzing with bees.

Witnessing Camellia buds swelling, evergreens shedding their fruit, and listening to leaves dancing in the street… are all signs of this wonderful season.

In my mind, procrastination has its virtue in all seasons, especially in the fall. It’s easy for me to fall in love with fall. How about you?

Simply taking time to fall in love with fall…

Teri, Cottage in the Court

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Grateful for the Garden

By Leave a Comment

Grateful for the garden is an understatement as I consider the gift the garden shares. Visiting Northview allowed me a few moments to reflect.

Being grateful is an emotion that is often overlooked. As gardeners, we are elated when that particular bud opens into bloom. Satisfaction is found when we eat that first homegrown tomato from the garden. The sweet heat from a Shishito pepper surprises our tastebuds and reminds us that the next one could be hotter or not. No matter the circumstance, being grateful should be a part of our daily existence.

I recently read a book, Harper Counts Her Blessings. This book made me reflect on how we can move throughout our day without reflecting on exactly what we are thankful for. This is a great book for parents and grandparents to have on hand when offering up a simple lesson about being grateful.

Jenny Rose Carey is a fellow garden writer. I was introduced to her first book, Glorious Shade, at a Garden Writers event a few years ago. We share a love of a few things like the color pink, as well as shade gardens. After reading this book, I knew a visit was imminent. We discussed a visit and then the period of unexpected pausing hit. When GardenComm International‘s Region 2 announced an in-person meeting, Northview was a featured garden, I knew this garden was calling me.

THANKFUL FOR THE HISTORY

For the past 25 years, Jenny and Gus have reimagined Northview into not just their home, but a popular place for garden aficionados around the world to visit. Thanks to Wilmer Atkinson for keeping such good records to document the journey of Northview. Mr. Atkinson was the founder and editor of the Farm Journal. When he acquired the land, it was just over 150 acres. There are trees on the property that provide glorious shade and date back to the days when Mr. Atkinson planted and beautified the grounds.

As with many perennials, over time the land Mr. Atkinson called home was parceled off and sold. Today, Northview is just under five acres and includes a divinely beautiful carriage house. As I sat in the carriage house, I imagined how thankful Jenny Rose Carey must be. The carriage house is well-lit, surrounded by walls of great garden books, a fireplace, and a kitchenette…all in the midst of the garden. I am grateful to have enjoyed a few moments in the room where Jenny writes.

A GRATEFUL GATHERING

Northview is not just another beautiful garden. It is a working garden, a teaching garden, as well a the perfect environment for experimentation. Using minimal watering techniques, and using the right plant in the right places, Jenny has curated whimsical places throughout the garden to pause.

Pausing to see what plants Jenny has included embracing the local wildlife and seasonal plantings which fall victim to the same wildlife as they need nutrition. These living examples are all a part of the lesson plan found at Northview. Armed with a delightful Head Gardener, Hanna von Schlegell, and Joe Giampa, a local artist and carpenter, Jenny has all the help

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Marigolds – Summer’s Gold

By Leave a Comment

Marigolds – summer’s gold are simply beautiful in a vase…

Marigolds are Summer’s gold from start to finish for this gardener. From seed to ground to vase, marigolds provide golden nuggets of beauty to the garden all season long. They are one of the easiest additions to the garden. Growing marigolds guarantees a season-long, easy to maintain display of color for the garden border. There are benefits that complement the beauty of this simple flower. As children, my siblings and I helped my Mom plant a border of marigolds right outside the kitchen. The size of the seed makes it easy to plant by little hands. Marigolds bring smiles to gardeners of all ages. Many elderly plant lovers remember it as being a plant from the past.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARIGOLDS

The most common type of marigold is known as Calendula or Pot Marigold. This is a Latin word meaning clock. Pot marigolds are used in tinctures and edible products. The unexpected color of a Calendula bloom is a welcome surprise in a fresh salad. The sweetness of the leaves is also a welcome gift.

The other marigold commonly found would be the Tagetes type. Tagetes marigolds are named after a religious prophet. This marigold was used in religious ceremonies, as well as offerings to the Virgin Mary. The usually larger blooms are not edible. In some cases, Tagetes can be a skin irritant.

FUN FACTS

Here are a few fun facts:

Marigolds represent a desire for joy and wealth. This everblooming annual promotes good cheer as well as representing the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

Did you know the marigold is one of the most popular annuals in America today?

W. Atlee Burpee founded the Burpee Seed Company. Financial struggles almost ended this resource for gardeners around the world. David Burpee took over the company and embraced marigolds. Recognizing the history and popularity of this hardy, well-traveled plant, David seized the opportunity to hybridize marigolds. In a way, marigolds (and David) resurrected the Burpee Company.

One bloom, dried and crumbled marigold bloom will allow me to save and share for next year’s garden.

LET’S GROW THIS PLANT

Did I mention how easy marigolds are to grow? You seriously cannot go wrong with seeds. Easy to handle, quick to sprout and a terrific idea for crafting seasonal gifts.

Loosen the existing soil to a depth of 4 – 6 inches. lant each seed between 8 12 inches apart. Smaller blooming varieties or marigolds should be planted close together. Larger blooming varieties like such as the Tagetes are planted further apart. Check the back of the seed packets for optimum planting instructions.

Add a layer of organic material to suppress weeds and to provide a moist environment. Water when the temps are high and if there is a drought. Only use a very diluted fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer for this annual. (If you pay attention to the health of the soil, you will inevitably have healthier plants.) Planting marigolds in rich soil is not a good idea. Fertilizing marigolds will create an abundance of foliage and minimal bloom.

In most gardens neatness counts. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the finished blooms. What is deadheading? Pinching the finished bloom back to the closest set of two leaves and voila – you just became a Deadhead expert. While not really required, the finished blooms can become unsightly, however, it is all a part of the normal garden cycle. Think of it this way, removing and drying the finished blooms can make a great gift from the garden. Consider gifting them for friends or to the local school for next year’s garden program or to community centers for summer programs.

GOT ISSUES?

Notice a bit of speckling on the leaves? Most likely those are mites. One of the few insects that just love marigolds. A quick shot of water or a spray of insecticidal soap will remedy this quickly.

Fungus or moldy leaves showing up? Try to remember to water at the right time of the day – early morning or early evening, allowing the foliage to dry quickly. Excessive sitting water on the leaves or overhead watering of most plants is just a bad idea. Practice proper garden watering. Marigolds can tolerate a ridiculous level of dryness.

MARIGOLD BENEFITS

A bit of yellow, touch of orange marigolds placed in a small vase is sure to bring cheer to any room.

Marigolds are great friends with benefits in the garden. French marigolds can repel nematodes. Nematodes feed off of the roots of garden vegetables like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and more. Planting marigolds is like having a colorful army protecting the beauty of the garden.

A vase of marigolds will last about a week indoors. What an inexpensive way to have a cluster of cheery yellow, red, or orange at your fingertips. If you really want to remember the blooms of a marigold planting, strip the leaves and hang them upside down for drying. Adding the dried blooms to seasonal wreaths or potpourri are perfect for curing winter blues.

TRUE STORY OF AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

A simple gathering of marigold blooms.

Last month I used marigolds for a few office arrangements. I brought them home at week’s end so I could savor the beauty of local flowers on my table. I hate to see anything not repurposed if there is an opportunity for repurposing.

Time for harvesting finished blooms for next year’s garden.

When it was time to discard this arrangement, my thoughts were on deadheading the withering blooms, dry the seedheads, and save them for my garden next year. That is when I noticed a surprise in the vase.

It seems as though these stems are taking root!

I had never used marigolds as a cut flower before this year. They have always been so inexpensive, I would just grow them in the garden and enjoy them outside. I had no idea they had the ability to root! I am going to pot up the rooted cuttings and see if they will produce a few late-season blooms in my garden. Saving pennies in the garden is always a good thing. I am considering the original bouquet garden gold, as I will have seeds for many seasons to come!

Do you grow marigolds in your garden? There are so many to choose from. Take time to explore some of the great selections of cultivars from reputable seed companies like Burpee. Won’t you try some in your garden?

Heading to the garden to plant my garden gold!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about marigolds click here

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Hollow Tree – Secrets, Haints, and Wisdom

By Leave a Comment

hollow tree of haints, secrets and wisdom
Hollow trees hold secrets, haints, and sometimes wisdom.

Hollow trees are usually diseased or have an unresolved decay issue developed from a wound of some kind. In nature, they sometimes die, fall, are removed instantly from the landscape or are disregarded as something on the to-do list. Hollow trees, however, hold secrets that are only revealed to some.

There is a hollow tree along a road less traveled that I have become acquainted with. When I first saw it years ago, I steered clear of it. I saw the hole in the side and thought that it surely housed “haints”. With lineage from the south, family lore states that a “haint” is a soul that is not at rest. If I could get close to the tree, I just knew that I would hear cries and whispers from the past. Imagined or real – I, to this day, do not get close to this tree.

We have, however, come to a reasonable level of understanding, this hollow tree and me. As the leaves flutter in the spring breeze and change colors in the fall, I always acknowledge it’s presence and the secrets it holds within. From the crooked limb above, I shudder to think what might have happened before my time along this less traveled road. I think of the stories the souls might share…one day. When I am ready.

Applewood Books, Inc., has a small set of publications called the American Roots Series. Publisher Phil Zuckerman chose a series of writings from some of Americas most famous writers. Booker T. Washington taught himself to read and write and his resume would actually put some to shame. I found this little book at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I am always researching African American’s in Agriculture to include Horticulture. Thank you, Mr. Bunch, for making this Museum a reality. I truly cannot say THANK YOU enough!

In the book, Booker T. Washington on Mother Earth, I found new meaning in my hollow tree. Mr. Washington delivered a speech, for which the book is named On Mother Earth, as a lecture at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Currently known as the Tuskegee Institute, Mr.Washington founded this Institute in 1881 so that African American men and women had a school of their own.

In his speech, Mr.Washington spoke of a man who started his successful business in the hollow of a tree. This man had nothing but the tree and the land it stood on. This was better than imitating a man. Comparing this to the mid-western culture where prosperous people started from nothing. Mr. Washington thought it best for people of color to embrace agriculture as a way to become prosperous. The proposition He left with his students was somewhat questionable by the recently freed African American community. Would we take advantage of the opportunity of buying land, embracing the beautiful climate and rich soil, to become independent and prosperous?

I will not share the rest of his speech because I think it is a powerful speech. It was not a speech that made him a hero in the African American community. In fact, many people of color scoffed at his approach to gaining independence through agriculture. I wonder how many would do so today? With interest in agriculture now “trending”, this proposition seems practical now more than ever.

Now about that hollow tree on the less traveled road, I look at her with respect, not fear these days. My hollow friend has stood tall for many years, roots somewhat exposed by water that rushes past when it rains. Through drought and snowless winters…she still stands.

Mr. Washington wrote ” You might as well argue that because a tree is planted deep down in Mother earth, because it comes in contact with clay, rocks, and sand, and water that through its graceful branches, its beautiful leaves and its fragrant blossoms it teaches no lesson of truth, beauty, and divinity. You cannot plant a tree in air, and have it live. Try it. “

He goes on to say, ” No matter how much we may praise its proportions and enjoy its beauty, it dies unless its roots and fibers touch and have their foundation in Mother Earth. What is true of a tree is true of a race.”

My hollow friend holds many secrets and probably some haints as well. I am not sure why I carried this little book with me for the past two weeks. I am not sure why I chose to stop and read it this weekend. When I did, it made me realize how much work there is to do to reconnect all people with this earth.

Is there a hollow (or not) – tree in your life that holds secrets, as well as wisdom from the past? Do you admire it from afar or choose to understand it better up close? Do you learn from the hollow tree in your life forest?

I am glad I have this hollow tree in my world. Her strength challenges me to engage with others in my community, share my love of gardening and embrace the beauty that surrounds me.

A few thoughts after forest bathing,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Want to discover more about Booker T Washington? click here

Need more information about the National Museum of African American History, click here

Want to find out more about Applewood Books, Inc, and Phil Zuckerman? click here

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather