First of all Dad planted rose bushes.
I have some lovely rose bushes in my garden especially one that my sister bought for a rather large and special birthday.
Next he moved on to annuals; blue lobelia, white allysum and small marigolds that he planted in a neat row every spring.
I don't have marigolds. The slugs love them too much. But I do have lobelia and allysum each year and they always remind me of Dad.
Dad soon became more adventurous. I'll never forget the day he came home with a Broom. Its name gave me the giggles. How could a broom be a bush?
Now I too have a Broom. It's a smaller variety than the one Dad bought but it's beautiful. It smells headily sweet at this time of the year and it reminds me of Dad and his first ever garden.
What a lovely way to remember your Dad. My father had to take whatever the parish gave him, so we had two small gardens and two large ones.
ReplyDeleteIt must be difficult not being able to choose your own home.
DeleteMy dad grew marigolds! I saved some of the seeds from his plants when we cleared out his house after he died and I've been keeping them going in my garden ever since.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful idea, Naida. I wish I'd thought of doing something like that.
DeleteMy dad died when I was three but we lived with my grandparents and my grandfather loved his garden, Your post reminded me of my younger days. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
You're welcome, Yvonne.
DeleteSuch sweet memories of you dad.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's funny how the little things remind you.
DeleteMy dad loved to garden too - he had a small patch of beautiful roses at one house. His forte was the veggie garden though - cucumbers, pumpkins, beans, corn, peas.. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad never ventured into vegetable growing. I didn't realise how easy it was until I met Mr A.
DeleteVery nice broom Ros! Glad it brings swet memories of your dad
ReplyDeleteAaaah! *sweet!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Duncan.
DeleteI love how many parts of your garden remind you of your dad! There used to be a show on a cable network (I forget which one and the title of the show! It might still be on) where a team would come in and build a garden for people in a day - I was always amazed how their English backyards were completely transformed into lovely landscapes, no matter how tiny or "blah" they started out. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI remember that programme. I'd be really upset to get home and find someone had dug up my garden and put another one in its place. Plants have special meanings and TV production teams know nothing about that.
DeleteI always remember asters and wallflowers in the garden at home. I have wall flowers but they set themselves. Our broom did npt survive.
ReplyDeleteI think broom prefers a sheltered spot. That's where this one is and it works well.
DeleteIt's lovely when we can see ourselves growing the skills of our parents. (But do we want our children to be like us ...)
ReplyDeleteI don't see why not. I'd be proud if my kids thought that any aspect of my way of living was worth emulating.
DeleteHi Ros - great memories of your Dad and his love of gardens - Brooms I love too - we had them at home .. and roses ... my mother was an exceptional gardener, as was her mother ... brought back memories of my childhood home and its plants and green garden, especially at this time of year. There's a deep red non-fruiting cherry along the road and we had one at home .. I can now position it .. Brooms I love, especially their colour varieties ... wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to London today .. so I'll see lots of gardens and woods on my drive up .. I love driving at this time of year when all the plants are springing forth .. cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary, I hope it doesn't rain for your drive to London.
DeleteMany of my memories of my dad are through gardening - and I wish I was half as good as he was. I do grow tomatoes every year and think of him when I plant them, but I'll never be anything like as green-fingered as he was.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how some people have that extra special touch with gardening. I don't have it either.
DeleteWhat fond memories you have, Ros. My dad wasn't a great gardener but he was a great lawn mower, and he loved spider plants, which he grew in great profusion. I now have several as they remind me of him. I also have lots of geraniums as he loved those too. Anything in pots, in other words! I love your broom! I don't suppose it's much use at sweeping, though :-) A lovely post, Ros. I enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice memory of your dad. My mother sometimes does the same with trees and plants when a family member dies. I've started to do the same and whenever the 'forget me nots' come up, I think of my dad.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rosalind. What wonderful memories you have of your dad. Thanks for sharing them. : )
ReplyDeleteSome years ago I planted a vegetable garden the way my grandfather used to. This post reminds me that I should really do that again!
ReplyDeletelovely salute to your father. Very fun. My father keeps a nice home (he's 81), but lacks yard and gardening skills. Then again, my lack of green thumb carries on the tradition. Nice post, Rosalind.
ReplyDeleteMy dad grew lots of vegetables, I used to, but since the last move ten years ago, I've lost interest, think all the ongoing building work finished me off!
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, a fabulous way to remember your father, and his garden. One day, I'll pick up my trowel again I'm sure.
I love this post. I never heard of a Broom but now I want one.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had very green fingers -- grew lots of strawberries and soft fruit. I'm trying...but not as good. Yet.
ReplyDeleteI think people who are talented gardeners are so blessed. The Broom is so pretty! Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was good at gardening and had the energy.
ReplyDelete