My Mother's Garden

I went to my mom's this past week. All of her irises and peonies are blooming. We went out to see them and walk among them - it's a tradition.

She likes to point out different ones, tell me their names, point out the ones with ruffles or unique beards, remind which ones are mine (well, they are hers, but I ordered them special for her), etc. We walk and touch them and oooh and aahh over them. Every time I decide I've found my favorite, I find a new one that I like even better.

Same story for the peonies. There is such a nice variety. Different colors and types. Amazing!
Then we went back to the house. She sits in a chair that faces the backyard, her garden, and a road that runs behind her house. She said, "Look, Lorrie, there's a car slowing down to look at my flowers." She said this happens just about every day. And she was right. Not only did the car slow down, they stopped and backed up. I decided to go out and talk to them. They actually stopped in the middle of the road and got out and walked thru the garden with me. This lady was mainly interested in the peonies and wanted to get some pieces of specific ones in the fall. Turns out that my mom recognized this lady and knew her name. She's going to call her in September.

Then the guy in the car got out and asked her about her beautiful, straight, healthy row of tomatoes. My mom plants her tomatoes against a fence (so they're supported) and inside a large can with the top and bottom removed. Can you picture it? Imagine the largest can of pork and beans that you can buy. My mom cuts the top and bottom off and puts that can around her tomato shoots. She says it protects her plants from the cold and the black birds. She also says it's easier to water them if the weather is too dry.

My mom's yard is full of flowers, birds and bird houses, flower beds, lawn art, etc. There's no rhyme or reason to where to puts her flower beds. The beds are not symmetrical or in convenient locations. You have to mow in weird patterns to get around all of them. My step dad has to weed-eat around them too. Some people might even say her yard is just a big mess. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like my garden to look just like hers.

I love you, mom. Happy Mother's Day!