flowers – The Trials and Tribulations of an Urban Farmer

Winter Hydrangeas

19 Dec 202120 Dec 2021

Once blue, hydrangeas crumple in the snow.Fading from the limelight,As winter sets in.Dried petals remain.Dim ashes will return. Green life decorated until last summer.A hole will be left behindHow to…

Blooming out of Season

31 Oct 202130 Oct 2021

In spring, bright flowers attract hummingbirds,As they brighten the path to warm summer nights.Red Buckeye trees should not be blooming in October. Dark pink clusters contrast with gray fall skies.In…

Late Bloomer

19 Sep 202118 Sep 2021

She is smaller in stature thanThose whose long necks and yellow petalsBrazenly lure hungry wasps with colour and scent. The late bloomer wears fragile pink,A symbol of kindness, service, beauty,…

Dahlias Bloom

12 Sep 202113 Sep 2021

When the snapdragons were in full bloom early in the summer, I wasn’t expecting to have dahlias in my garden. I had expected to grow a few tubers in pots…

The Meaning of Pure White Flowers

29 Aug 202129 Aug 2021

In spring, I added leftover wildflower seeds to the planters along with alyssum and dahlia seeds. When I was forced to remove the snapdragons from the front garden bed due…

Bougainvillea

15 Aug 202115 Aug 2021

We met often in “the before”.Your colorful arch embraced us in Barbados.I walked down your lane in Venice Beach. I found you in the greenhouse.Warm and safe in artificial campus…

Snapdragon Rust

25 Jul 202129 Aug 2021

Yellow spots were visible on my snapdragons a few days ago. On closer inspection, I noticed dark spots of the underside of some of the leaves. Some plants had over…

Dahlias from Seed

18 Jul 202118 Jul 2021

Flowers remind me of people and places I have loved. Dahlias are no exception. I first discovered these beautiful flowers when I was a teenager working my first full-time summer…

Prayer Plant

6 Jun 20216 Jun 2021

More than two hours were spent in the garden yesterday. I cherish outside moments more and more. The time flew by. My main tasks were cleaning out tulip stalks turned…

Bridal Spirea

23 May 202123 May 2021

White bridal wreath in family of roses.Sun drenched, thriving despite drought.Form and white flowers hidden from past notice.Now we gaze upon you as brides hide,And spring wedding venues quietly abide.Pure…