Christmas Morning on a Spring Evening

This spring evening is as much fun as Christmas morning.

After work I head out to work in the garden. From a short distance away it appears lifeless. Bare ground and dead twigs is the predominant feature. But closer examination reveals far more.

Purple cone-flowers plants are coming up for a new season; they are already a couple inches tall. The unfolding leaves of day lilies, given to my mom twenty years ago, offer a sentimental touch. A few leaves have been nipped by frost, but bright yellow blossoms will still add their glow come June. Self-seeding daisies are scattered across the garden. I will transplant them to create some order.

There’s the mystery plant given to me by the neighbor lady. I don’t know its name, but I sure enjoy finding it poking through the ground each spring. The plant produces purple fuzzy spikes that stand tall and proud in mid-summer.

Spearmint is thriving underneath last year’s dead branches. I break off the dried stems and divide the plant. Now two spearmint plants, like expensive perfume, will lend fragrant aroma to the garden.

Then there is the Lamb’s Ear; the friend who gave me that cutting warned me. I didn’t listen. Now I have to fight each spring to make sure Lamb’s Ear doesn’t take over the garden.

This spring evening holds some surprises; I discover last year’s petunias reseeded, giving me free plants this spring. That will save several dollars when I visit the greenhouse.

Of course there are disappointments. I find no sign of the purple chrysanthemums that have come up for the past ten years. But that empty spot will allow room for something new.

Yes, this spring evening has been as much fun as a Christmas morning; full of surprises, a disappointment or two, and anticipation of more joys to come.