{"id":12772,"date":"2017-02-14T08:55:20","date_gmt":"2017-02-14T16:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogadmin.plantlust.com\/blog\/?p=12772"},"modified":"2024-01-24T10:28:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T18:28:30","slug":"happy-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantlust.com\/blog\/gardens\/happy-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Valentine’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m sometimes tempted to write off holidays that seem primarily Hallmark driven. But that’s the curmudgeon in\u00a0me. When I was a kid, Valentine’s Day ranked right up there with Halloween. I can feel the cramp developing in my right hand just thinking about all those cards for school the next day.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"First
First Communion, Holy Cross in Portland, Oregon. That’s little Patricia\u00a03rd from left, 2nd row from the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My first communion picture is germane, because I used the Parish Bulletin as my checklist–to make sure I didn’t miss anyone. Everybody got a card from everybody. You’ll note my check marks end with Janet Nicholas. That’s when my mom caught me using what I guess she considered an important historical document. I wouldn’t remember a thing about it if I hadn’t gotten in trouble.<\/p>\n

\"First
First Communion announcement, and handy check list.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hah. I guess Mom was right. I still have the damn\u00a0thing.<\/p>\n

Okay. What was I talking about?<\/p>\n

Right. I love getting cards, for any occasion, though admit, I’m not great with a calendar. I have trouble sending\u00a0the right card at the right time–always thinking everything is waaaay out\u00a0in the future, until it’s in the rearview mirror. I’ve had\u00a0some good\u00a0Halloween cards in the drawer for years. They’re like plants that never make it from the pot to the ground. Is it like that for other people?<\/p>\n

Of course, flowers are always lovely, for Valentine’s Day, or any old time. Mister likes them too, but in a different way. I don’t want to embarrass him here by showing\u00a0damage. But you get the idea.<\/p>\n

\"Posy
Posy & Mister — two kitties\u00a0make a heart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last year I didn’t bring flowers inside because of him. But this year, as dog is my witness, they’re coming in–even if it means guarding full-time\u00a0with squirt bottle in hand.<\/p>\n

\"Paeonia
Paeonia NOID. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they bloomed on Valentine’s Day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And\u00a0since the flooziest of my flowers don’t put in an appearance until May, there are other plant options to satisfy a heartfelt yearn–say Epimediums<\/a>. Tony Avent<\/a>\u00a0penned this great article on the history of Epimediums aka Fairy Wings or\u00a0Horny Goat Weed.<\/p>\n

\"Many
Many Epimediums dress in heart-shaped leaves. The early spring flowers are just bonus. (April 2013)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love this tough performer, in all its leaf forms.<\/p>\n

\"Epimedium
Epimedium wushanense<\/a> — not heart-shaped, but look at it! (April 2016)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s another that more nearly adhere’s to a heart-shaped theme.<\/p>\n

\"Epimedium
Epimedium NOID (April 2015)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The above was a gift from a former neighbor. I transplanted from our Alameda garden, and then abused heck out of it here as I moved it around trying to find it a good home. It’s tough as\u00a0Honey Badger.<\/p>\n

\"Epimedium
Epimedium NOID mingling nicely with another heart-shaped stunner Saruma henryi<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Saruma henryi aka Upright Wild Ginger was a gift from Megan<\/a>. She first saw it at Lan Su Chinese Gardens: it was love at first sight. This “hearty” plant was a start transplanted\u00a0from her garden to my Alameda garden, and then finally here. Another tough and gorgeous performer–with velvety heart-shaped leaves.<\/p>\n

Of course, my Epimediums\u00a0don’t look anywhere near this terrific yet. But they will in short time. I got myself out into the garden\u00a0today–the picture of that lovely Paeonia above\u00a0inspired me. And praise be: I saw buds on an Itoh Hybird Peony, the one that produces these wild and crazy blooms. I call them all Floozies, but this girl\u00a0is leader of the pack.<\/p>\n

\"An
An inherited Itoh Hybrid Peony, I’ve dubbed “Floozy”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was so nice to be outdoors–a respite from the rain. There was sunshine. I went for walk. Sweet vignettes were\u00a0there for the viewing, and made my heart sing. We’re so close to full-swing gardening.<\/p>\n

\"Little
Little yellow flower encountered during neighborhood stroll. Yay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wishing you hearts and flowers and plants this Valentine’s Day–with more sunny skies just around the corner.<\/p>\n

Cheers<\/p>\n

\"The
The Cunninghams. That’s me on the top, then David, Bobby, Dad, Edward, Mom with Philip, and Kathy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P.S. The card atop this post was my dad’s from 2nd Grade. The back is addressed\u00a0to Clovis from Richard Hart; it’s marked\u00a05\u00a2. Amazing Dad\u00a0managed to hold onto it all those years–especially with\u00a0this household crew underfoot. He gave it to me in 1996. I asked for it as my inheritance. Irish folks. That’s how we roll.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’m sometimes tempted to write off holidays that seem primarily Hallmark driven. But that’s the curmudgeon in\u00a0me. When I was a kid, Valentine’s Day ranked right up there with Halloween. I can feel the cramp developing in my right hand just thinking about all those cards for school the next day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[137,797,129,168,324],"yoast_head":"\nHappy Valentine's Day - Plant Lust<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I'm sometimes tempted to write off holidays that seem primarily Hallmark driven. 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