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Petals and poetry: a summer celebration

© Lynda Jardinet

Six months ago, when I first began writing for Suite101.com, it was the middle of winter here in New Zealand. I remember sitting at my computer, wondering what on earth I could say when so little was in bloom outdoors. I was forced to wrap up warm and indulge in hours of online horticultural escapism, reading articles written by Northern Hemisphere gardeners.

It seems only fitting to return the favour this month - so grab a sunhat and join me for an alphabetic summer saunter through my flower garden.

A is for Agapanthus, so soft and so blue
Prized for their beauty, and foliage too,
Some would say they're a bit of a weed
But I just adore plants that self seed.

B is for Bog sage, I like it in clumps
It's invasive, like a bad case of mumps,
To get rid of it, you'd need a bulldozer,
But I'd never rip out my Salvia ulignosa.

C is for Cosmos - massed under a tree,
Their simple white faces, delightful to see
But come early April, I'll be shouting,
as up through my pots, they all start a-sprouting.

D is for Delphiniums - graceful and tall
Their flowers can last right through 'til Fall.
But why do I always plant far too few
(And why do they succumb to powdery mildew?)

E is for the stunning "Eldorado" rose
Crisp yellow, but little scent for the nose
It clashes with every other plant in sight
Dazzles even the sun, it's incredibly bright.

F is for Foxgloves in pure white & cream
Mixing and mingling, a gardener's dream
But here's a quandary to make you think
Why do all the seedlings turn out pink?

G is for the spiky Globe artichoke
It's enough to make a gourmet chef croak,
But I refuse to eat even one, oh no!
I want to keep the purple flowers on show!

H is for Helianthus - the super sunflower
above the rest of the garden they tower
But do you think I would get any favours?
The damn things are all facing the neighbours.

I is for Indigo Spires - in deep dark blue,
A sensational salvia, plant at least two
Bees buzz past it for most of the day,
A wonderful sight - it's certain to stay.

J is for Jacob's ladder, with leaves in pairs,
hence its comparison with temporary stairs
It's real name is Polemonium caeruleum
(rhyming with that's rather gruel-ee-um!)

K is for Kittens rolling in the catmint,
the neighbour's cats have taken the hint,
for gardening company, you simply can't beat

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