“Henry Mitchell, in his book One Man's Garden, observes that "it is not important for a garden to be beautiful" in everyone's eyes. But "it is extremely important for the gardener to think it is a fair substitute for Eden." Perhaps this is an overstatement, or perhaps it is a theological truth.”
― Vigen Guroian, Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening
When one inherits a garden, like we did when we move three years ago, one must give it some time to show its worth. I sat back for a couple of springs and summers to see how it would unfold and feel. Some of it works, some does not, meaning that this year might be brutal for some of the plants that surround our home. There are several yucca plants, most likely planted because they are one plant that are truly deep proof. But to me they look somewhat out of place here in the pacific northwest, also the colder winters we are having, are hard on them. Of the several we have scattered around the yard, this one might be the only one that will not be dug up. Each winter I find the leaves healthy and vibrant, full of intricate patterns and colors that draw me in. It lives across the small pathway leading up to our front porch, opposite the bed of hellebores, and the deer turn their noses up at it. This time of year, when I am yearning to be out in the garden, it is more proof that spring is coming.