Friday, May 18, 2012

Thanks, Mom!

My mother does not have a green thumb.  She will agree with that statement.  She's been able to grow aloe for years, throwing some water on it when she thinks about it (not often).  But other than that, she really doesn't have much interest in plants.

She has said several times she doesn't understand why I like to garden.  She is perplexed as to how I've learned the things I have (books, mostly), and why I enjoy all the huffing, puffing, sweating, and scratches that go along with gardening.

'Strawberry Seduction' Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

I don't why know, either.  But I do.

Still, even though she doesn't understand my obsession, I think she's a little proud of me.  (Of course, she is my mom!)

Even so, I was surprised when last fall she bought me a plant.  A plant!  She had been to a new plant nursery!


I have no idea why she stopped at the plant nursery.  I don't ask these things.  I just took the plant, hesitantly thanked her, and stuck it in my garden.  Why was the thanks given hesitantly?  I didn't know if it would live or die.  Remember, last year was the year of our long drought.  And I hadn't bought any new plants, because I didn't think they would make it.

But I wanted you (and her) to know that this plant did make it.  And it's now blooming.  It's beautiful!!!


I love it!  I'm now saying it without hesitation:  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom!  :)

Strawberry Seduction grows to around 2-1/2 ft tall and wide in zones 3 through 8.  Heat and drought tolerant, thank goodness!

34 comments:

  1. It is beautiful. I love the Yarrows. They are tough and pretty at the same time. Mom did good.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Tough and pretty. You just can't beat a plant like that. Yes, she did very good! :)

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  2. I love achilleas too. Haven't heard of this variety before.

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    1. I think this is fairly new introduction. I hadn't heard of it before she gave it to me, but I love the red. The yellow ones are nice, but this red is beautiful, I think.

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  3. She picked the perfect plant, yarrow can take almost anything you can throw at it. Very tough customer. Way to go mom.

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    1. Yes, she did good. So glad she didn't choose a sissy plant! :)

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  4. I think it's prety hard to kill a yarrow with dryness; even I haven't managed it. I grow the yellow kinds, because the pinks are very invasive here. But maybe this one isn't? I'd love to grow it if it won't take over everything. I'll have to look it up and see.

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    1. I'm sorry I can't answer your question about the invasiveness. I hope you can find your answer. This one would look beautiful combined with the yellow ones, too!

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  5. Those weird things that sometimes moms do for us 'children'! There's no why, it's only because they love us... It's incredible what estrogens can drag a woman do! :)
    That achillea looks wonderful anyway, I'm glad she chose the right plant!

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    1. haha - I hadn't thought about estrogen causing her to stop at the plant nursery! ;)

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  6. What a great mom...how they surprise us...I have this plant as well and can't wait to see it every year...yarrow is slow to show this season.

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    1. I was thrilled when it started blooming here. I hope yours begins to bloom soon!

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  7. What a nice gift from a non-plant loving Mom. And to boot the yarrow is gorgeous!

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    1. I really do like this yarrow - it's gorgeous and really stands out in the garden. Of course, I put it in my red and yellow bed, where it's perfect!

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  8. That's wonderful! I love it when people give the gift of plants :-D

    The yarrow is simply beautiful. What a lovely thing!

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    1. I love plant gifts, too. They are a nice remembrance.

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  9. 'Strawberry Seduction' is beautiful! Your mother gave the gift that will keep on giving. She has great taste in plants even though she doesn't have a green thumb.

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  10. I can count on my yarrows to give a show even if nothing else does. My yellow one seems to reseed all over the place. The strawberry one looks delectable.

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    1. I have some yellow ones, but I hadn't noticed them reseeding. Maybe I should watch out for that!

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  11. What a fun post! I had to laugh as I was recalling where all my current scratches are. Most of mine come from stepping over the chicken wire to get into my veggie garden. Larry cut it so that it wouldn't be quite as tall. I wish he would have consulted me first. I'd rather step higher and not be scratched up. Also, I'm worried the rabbits are going to discover they can get over it. I've been putting a couple things against it to look like the barrier is taller than it is.

    Your mom did a great job picking out a plant for you!

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    1. I hope your rabbits don't ever know that the wire is lower than usual! They can be pesky things for such cute looking animals!

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  12. I think your mom must have bought the plant because of its name! It is beautiful, and I know your mom is very, very proud of you, with good reason!

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    1. Hm, maybe the name did help her in choosing it! It does sounds pretty, even before you see it.

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  13. WHat delicisous colours...beautiful plant x

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    1. I love these colors. And the way the red fades to gold is still beautiful!

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  14. Replies
    1. haha - I hadn't noticed your misspelling. I often think of the wrong things I write after it's posted, but I rarely go back to correct it!

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  15. That is so sweet.And what a beautiful plant. I love yarrow and that Strawberry one is beautiful. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. I do like this red yarrow. It looks fabulous in my red and yellow bed. Have a good weekend, too, Lona. :)

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  16. You have a wonderful mom and she made a great choice of plant. I hope it delights you for many years.

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    1. Since it made it through last year's extreme weather, I think it will surely live for several years - and hopefully many!

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  17. Oh my word! How beautiful is that!! Thanks to your mom!! I have never seen a Yarrow that colour - ever! I wonder if we can get that colour here in South Africa. I LOVE yarrow!!! Not easy to come by. I'm going to do some research. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Barbie - This is a fairly new cultivar, bred, I believe, from the Netherlands, so I think you should be able to get it in South Africa. Good luck on your search. I love the coloring, too. So much prettier (in my opinion) than the yellow ones.

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