Parade of Perennials

Columbine Time, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

The early spring flowers have shown their last, followed now by the next set of blooms.




Even the bleeding hearts are slowly losing their lustre. Once profuse, fewer new blossoms appear. Each day, I venture out to inspect my garden, seeing new growth and awaiting the next flowers in the parade of perennials. Each new entry is greeted with delight.




Columbines never fail to amaze me - their comet-like flowers streaking across my garden. I never know where they will pop up from year to year as they spread easily. This year they have arrived in profusion.

More delights are waiting their turn. The tall stalks of the tiger lilies are climbing each day and others whose names I never remember are taking their place. It's a slow parade - to be appreciated over months, but the beauty of each entry demands taking time to look, appreciate and just be in the moment.

Columbine

Columbine, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I never tire of taking photographs of flowers - those in my garden or those growing wild. The detail, the structures fascinate me. The columbines dazzle with their spiky, comet-like tails and flashy centres. How could any passing pollinating insect resist the allure!

May 28/10: Columbine

May 28/10: Columbine, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Little steps in learning. I tried out my macro setting and got a few nice shots. I love columbines and have written about them before. It's easy to get lost in their complexity. They flower in profusion and seem to dance over the long stalks.

But this time - it is really about learning to use my camera and learning patience. I think I liked a point and shoot camera for years because of its simplicity. I could do what the name implied - point, shoot and voila! there was my photograph. I was interested in snapshots, in memories. Now I have challenged myself to try photography. I am just figuring out how the camera focuses. It's a new Zen exploration - learning photography, learning mindfulness, learning complexity...

Day 163: Columbine

Day 163: Columbine, originally uploaded by susanvg.

How does a flower become a favourite? Sometimes it is its incredible complexity - certainly that is one reason I love columbines. There is so much to look at and examine when you view the flower. However, to me, the way a flower becomes a favourite is often because of the stories attached to it.

Growing up, we had a country place and my mother loved her garden. I can still picture the patch of lupins near the front door. The soil in the area is sandy, so the garden had to be nurtured, with good soil added regularly. In the back of the house there was a row of monarda whose bright red colour attracted hummingbirds. I have never had much success with either of those flowers. Right near the house, my mother had several columbines.

Now, I usually left the gardening to my mother; in those days, I didn't know a weed from a prized plant. I learned the hard way. One summer, I wanted to try my luck at planting a few vegetables. My mother was so delighted with my interest in gardening that she agreed immediately. So my new husband and I looked to see where the sun might help produce a good crop and we dug and planted. To my mother's horror, we had dug up some of her columbines. Our vegetables did not thrive, but, fortunately, we had not pulled all the columbines and they did thrive.

Long after that, when I was planting my own garden at the home I am in now, I planted columbines - and they flourish and spread. Each time I stop to admire them, I think of my mother and that is why they are special favourites of mine. Their beauty and complexity bring back memories of her - and the beauty of her character that always shone with love for those near to her.