I have a plaque in my home that says, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Whenever I find myself in a situation I’d rather not be in, I remind myself to “bloom where I am planted.” That plaque has encouraged me in numerous different situations to make the “best of it,” and often “the best of it” turns out to be pretty good. When that occurs, it is a wonderful, pleasant surprise.
This saying also applies to gardening. I frequently find immature plants out of place. The self-seeders love to spring up where I least expect them. Sometimes I weed these immature plants out, but more and more I am letting them “bloom where they are planted.” These plants, in the gardening world, are called “volunteers.” One of my favorite “volunteers” is Ox-Eye Daisies. My father-in-law planted a few in my garden years ago. At that tine I didn’t realize that once you have Ox-Eye Daisies you will have them forever. Every year the Ox-Eye Daisies surprise me as to where they will appear. I always think of my father-in-law; it’s as if he is just stopping by and seeing how I and my garden are doing. Sometimes I pull the daisies, but I often let them grow and bloom. Volunteers add a wonderful serendipity aspect to your garden.
So I would encourage you to not pull all your volunteers; let them bloom where they are planted. Volunteers add a unique touch to your garden and may bring back memories of people you love.
This saying also applies to gardening. I frequently find immature plants out of place. The self-seeders love to spring up where I least expect them. Sometimes I weed these immature plants out, but more and more I am letting them “bloom where they are planted.” These plants, in the gardening world, are called “volunteers.” One of my favorite “volunteers” is Ox-Eye Daisies. My father-in-law planted a few in my garden years ago. At that tine I didn’t realize that once you have Ox-Eye Daisies you will have them forever. Every year the Ox-Eye Daisies surprise me as to where they will appear. I always think of my father-in-law; it’s as if he is just stopping by and seeing how I and my garden are doing. Sometimes I pull the daisies, but I often let them grow and bloom. Volunteers add a wonderful serendipity aspect to your garden.
So I would encourage you to not pull all your volunteers; let them bloom where they are planted. Volunteers add a unique touch to your garden and may bring back memories of people you love.
This "Gardening Community" article addresses vegetable volunteers.
"Roses from A to Z" provides pictures of volunteers to are nice to use in a bouquet.
"You reap what you sow?" is a fun read about how gardens take on the personality of the gardener.
"Dave's Garden" provides information to help determine if a volunteer is a friend or foe.
"University of Minnesota" has a great web page to help identify what is growing.
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