There are always contrary things to see in a garden — mildew that shows up on a lilac bush, weeds that infest a lush lawn, insects that hungrily eat everything in sight, plants that die without giving a reason. So many things!
Luckily, some of those contrary things are fun enough to keep gardening from being a totally frustrating experience. For example, the morning glories that showed up in my garden a couple of years ago. (Leftover from the previous owners, I think. Apparently, the flowers were waiting to see if I would be a good caretaker before they showed their pretty heads.)
Those first morning glories were dark purple with a sun-like shine in the center, but this year, for some contrary reason, they came in all shades of blue and purple. The blue could indicate a more alkaline soil, but the soil has always been alkaline (a leftover gift from ancient oceans).
Still, they seem healthy, glad to be alive, and preening before my appreciative eyes.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One
