I planted an Olga Mezitt shrub in my garden years ago, a Rhododendron with smaller leaves and blooms, and a more compact arrangement. It is in full flower now in the Northeast but the leaves will become warmly burnished in the fall and stay that way throughout winter. Genus name comes from the Greek words rhodo meaning rose and dendron meaning tree.
Yes, it’s a pretty shrub in the garden, but why the name? It turns out that horticulturist Ron Mezitt developed this hybrid and named it after his mother. The metaphor of life and love perpetually returning is inescapable. A son’s tribute to his mother emerges each spring, and knowing the origin of the name makes any garden feel even more beautiful.
Some daffodils remain around the yard, after their surprise appearance at the end of March. The row against the front of the house — southern exposure — has already wilted, but the daffys in a shaded area near a stone wall remain strong.
browning daffodils—
he loses interest
in a matter of weeks
(published in #Femku Journal)
The forsythia at the corner of the house is turning leafy green from its glorious yellow—short-lived and so much more precious.
forsythia glowing . . . fireflies of early spring
(published in Asahi Haikuist Network)
The lilacs have just began to bloom, and of all the plantings, this one has the most well-known and magical fragrance of all. Hosta are emerging and define the area that gives welcome shade in the summer. The definitive scrolls that show up in early spring fascinate me — curled up baby fists taking their time to unfold.
I planted a hydrangea tree in honor of my daughter’s marriage in 2013. The huge white blooms — not yet out — will bounce in summer breezes, then turn a pleasing burgundy pink in autumn.
Hydrangea petals
the pique
of her wedding dress
Then there are the roses, reflecting the astounding beauty of my own mother Rose. A mature heirloom rosebush outside my bedroom window blossoms in June. Unlike the reblooming roses commonly found in nurseries that have multiple blooms but no fragrance — so I discovered — this specimen that came with the house produces elegant blooms one by one that actually smell like roses should.
I should plant my packet of sunflower seeds today, to the right of the front door painted Aegean Blue this year. It will be a cheerful combination. I’ve already cleared the rocks and stones from the bed, and will mix compost into the ground for nourishment and aeration. Once the ground warms and they take root, they grow furiously towards the light.
I have enjoyed my leisurely walk through the garden and hope you have too, in appreciation of the season and the day. My children and grandchildren are spread around the globe, to the east and west of me, but I am happy knowing that they are all well — even though they have not named a plant after me!
This is lovely. The sweetest flowers all have precious memories. And you look so much like your mother!
Thank you Marcia for your nice compliments. Happy spring to you!
Thank you, Barrie, for bringing nature to this apartment dweller! Beautiful! Love the picture of you and your mother. Happy Mother’s Day. My daughter hasn’t named a flower after me, either! Hoping to talk to her today.
Hi Hilary, and hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day!
How very lovely. Reminded me a bit of the book, “The Language of Flowers.”
Would love to visit you in your garden. Happy Mother’s Day!
Hi Lisa, maybe we can meet for a walk now that the weather is improving. Missing you!
When I was living in Chatham Ontario, my Mom planted a bed of tulips out our front picture window. Every time I buy tulips…yellow and red, I remember that flower bed. Happy Mother’s Day to the moms out there.
Carol
I didn’t know that gardening was one of your mom’s many interests! 🌷🦋 ☀️
What a nice posting for Mothers’ Day. Thanks, Barrie. Enjoyed your comments, Haiku, and lovely flowers – nice job with all! Happy Mothers’ Day.
Thanks Donald for keeping up with my blog and posting your favorable comments!
all lovely reminders of the sweet passage of time
Thank you Josh, and I hope all is going well for you in 2021.
What beautiful photos of flowers! Enjoyed the accompanying comments and haikus also. Hope you are having an enjoyable Mother’s Day!
Thank you Judy, and I am enjoying your and Allison’s Facebook posts.
The haikus are a welcome, original touch! And the whole thing is a beautiful tribute to a garden on Mother’s Day!
Thank you Sue for following my blog — I appreciate your readership!
I just love this essay about all these different plants in your garden. I too love the tiny hosta curls poking up through the ground at the beginning, but mine have become full size already and many look huge. Things grow and change so fast that it’s barely enough time to appreciate them before they change or disappear.
I guess life can be like that too.
Beautiful pictures to go with the words
Barrie-your essay is a lovely way to celebrate Mother’s Day & the progression of spring blooms. May has been my favorite month anticipating the emergence of spring colors. Here on the west coast, the big burst of roses’ first bloom is just coming to the end.. With drought conditions, who knows how many more roses will continue to emerge? The photos of your yard are so beautiful. Thank you for the treat.
Barrie;
It is the lilacs that seem to remind me of our moms’ childhood home in Glen Cove even though I do not remember them on Purdue Rd. Perhaps they must have had them in the backyard of 20 Chestnut St.
I hsve many of the same flowering shrubs – rodies, forsyhtia, daffs & hydrangea. They have all bloomed except the hydrangea. I also have hostas & my irises are ready to open. I loved the walk through your garden. I hope you had a nice Mother’s Day
Barrie, what a lovely tribute to your mother, Rose, whom I remember well Her smile, her charm and her joy when she and Joe danced at your home Beautiful photos and haiku. Hope you enjoyed your own Mother’s Day since it is time for you to celebrate!
Just beautiful Barrie! Hope you had a happy Mother’s Day! My yard is full of hosta, and I love the visual of the baby fists unfolding! They almost unfold as I watch!
Early spring is hands down my favorite time of year. Barrie you’ve given us a bouquet of all its mystery and glory. Wow….beautiful.