As a parent, there are often unexpected, random moments with your child that quite literally melt your heart. Last fall, my four year old son and I were planting Allium bulbs in our front garden. I watched with delight as he took charge digging each hole, positioning the bulbs correctly and smothering the surface with its dirt.
Toward the end of this task, he paused and looked up at me with his big brown eyes and asked, “But Mommy, when will they bloom?” I responded, explaining that while we are planting now, they won’t bloom until late spring, closer to his birthday in June. (The concept of time is still very much a learning endeavor with young children). He then joyfully squealed and said “let’s call them Birthday Flowers!” My heart exploded.
What I particularly love about flowers is the sentimentality that is often attached to them. For example, Black-eyed Susans and Bleeding Hearts will forever remind me of my Grandmother, and her Adirondack Garden. Foxgloves and Queen Anne’s Lace will conjure visions of our mountain wedding, and peonies always illicit thoughts of my sister.
Below, may I present said Birthday Flowers, a little joy we can all look forward to year after year.
