I walked onto the deck and was stopped in my tracks by a surge of giddiness. As I looked around, I was amazed at how far our messy cottage garden has progressed in just a few months.
The surprises of the secret garden started last summer as overgrown paths and patios revealed themselves after being buried for at least three years by mosquito infested unraked leaves. Beneath the overgrown vinca vines, English ivy, and invasive honey suckle bushes, we discovered limestone flower bed borders. My heart swooned when my sweetheart Andy discovered and dug out a treasure at the front of the house. As I smiled tearfully, he tenderly whispered in my ear, “Every cottage needs a brick path.”
As layer after layer of leaves, roots, and weeds were dug out, we began dreaming of what our cottage garden could possibly be. It started with a trip to Home Depot in late August to purchase whatever remained of the half-priced perennials. Russian sage, penstemon, black-eyed Susan’s, and coneflowers were among the choices. With no particular plan, I popped them in the ground, watered, and asked Mother Nature for her blessings as we were well beyond the ideal planting season. They had a rough start in the summer heat and I hoped their roots would grow strong enough to get through the harsh winter.
I anxiously awaited the warmth of Spring to see what would return. To my delight, everything survived! I quickly added some rosemary, thyme, and basil. We finished clearing what didn’t get done before winter arrived, eager to create more space for springtime dreaming.
We are now adding to the garden step by step, with a bit of this and a little of that. There is no master plan to our plan, only a short list of must haves, including peonies, lilacs, and snowball hydrangeas. I’ve been greeted with surprise roses and Hosta’s because Andy likes to see me smile. We’ve added starters gathered from my friend’s “ponderosa.” Gifts of daylilies, phlox, oregano, and daisies from her childhood Nebraska farm are now taking root at their cottage home.
Andy and I selected the perfect sapphire indigo clematis to climb the arbor which will eventually be a grand entrance to the secret garden we are creating together. Lavender for him. Coreopsis for me. We’ve added orange rose moss because my mom always planted some. To add color, Andy picked colorful Gazania. We laugh together as we notice the spicy color he selected, Kiss Frosty Orange Flame.
Once upon a time I would have been uneasy and overwhelmed, wanting it all to be perfect to meet the expectations of some unknown source. I would have needed research and expert advice. A master plan would have been sketched to scale with minimal flexibility. Now, we are experimenting playfully and getting dirt under our fingernails and bug bites on our ankles.
I marvel now that when we step into our dreams and nurture them patiently, they do indeed come true. Rarely perfect. Instead, more delightful than we ever could imagine.
My someday dream of the messy cottage garden is transforming to our dream of someday is now.
With loving wishes for dreams in progress,
Amy
I love your care-free approach, and your beautiful plants! How delightful!💜💜💜