Lessons at the Plant Nursery

 The other night I  joined a "premium" class at the local nursery, Bemis Farms Nursery. I have taken many of their workshops, some successful, some not quite so.As the time I just could not get those lavender bunches tied tightly enough, and sure enough, on the car ride home my  dainty lavender wreath exploded with a profusion of scent and tiny purple blooms , all over the car.  If you've ever been in an enclosed  area with too much lavender, you understand the term "heady".  "Really Officer, it was the lavender!"

 So I have learned to be careful. I have learned to  watch the bumps, bring extra padding and pull the  wire just a little bit tighter. A bit like life, isn't it?

  At the premium workshop participants had the opportunity to work with the designers, Tina and Bart, and just let your imagination run wild.  And so it did. Selecting the pottery of your dreams, selecting what colors and textures and styles to place in the planter, all following the guidelines of Chillers, Spillers, Fillers and Thrillers...terms for the various  types of plants that make up a container garden.   It was not as easy as you think!

 I had a general idea of the colors and design and effect I wanted to try. Selecting plants  from the vast sea of "pick me" flowers was daunting. Support from our "leaders"  encouraged us to try.  And so I did.    I picked plants I normally would not try, I picked colors that reflected a "never be seen in that" side of me,I picked pinks and silvers and stripes and plumes. I tried angles and placement and fuzzies and  smooths.  I tucked a  deep color to pull into the depth of the planter.  And because I like  the focus that some small figures present, I  tucked a lion statue representing courage into my creation.

 My efforts received  compliments and which made me smile. Until I looked at the other creations.  Mine looked bland compared to their  styles. Their artistic  creations sported twigs and bark and moss and treasures, twists and turns and an assembly worthy of ribbons at the local flower show.  

 Yet, I like my creation. I know it needs to grow and fill in.  I know it needs some tending and "be the plant" encouraging to get the spillers to trail where I envisioned them.  I know the  colors might change and bring it all into a different perspective. I know its not a show stopper but that was not my intent.  My intent was to try what I normally would just smile at and wonder "if".

Carefully placing  soil, plants, textures, stripes, bolds,   patterns was an incredible experience. Remembering what might be a Chiller could also be a Spiller.  Choosing the Thriller and knowing  for your container that it is perfect. And adding the extra, the Fillers, that help provide the depth and pull it all together.  And  to understand and perhaps applaud  the courage, to even  try.

 A lesson learned  at the nursery. For I know now that when I reached into the pile of soil, I was reaching into myself.