How Does Your Garden Grow

By luigi_pagano

Fri, 14 Jul 2017
  • 1658 reads
6 comments
 
There are plants that love the light
whilst others thrive in the shade.
Of the former, heliotropes
like the common sunflower,
turn to the sun in the day
but reorient to the east at night.
 
Of the latter there’s a mass
like the Japanese forest grass
with leaves that cascade
and turn red in the fall.
A gardener may feel the urge
to grow Euphorbia
which is also called Spurge
 
or proceed to laboriously toil
and plant primroses
that prosper in shade
and moist soil.
 
Perhaps he may settle
to nurture Dead nettle,
a low, spreading plant
with silvery foliage  
that happily spreads.
 
He’ll tell you that he loves
to  plants seeds and grow
Coral bells and Foxgloves
but the things he dreads
are rampant weeds
like the Shepherd’s Purse.
 
Some people believe
that to keep a garden in trim
it’s gruelling and grim
but an horticulturist
sees it in a different light:
for him it’s a blessing
and not a curse.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2017
Certificate U
Poem
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Nature
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Though gardening can be a struggle, it is very relaxing, and therapeutically so, it is said.

I loved hearing about the complexity of biochemical hormonal responses of plants to light stimuli when I was a student, achieving those simple looking movements you mention.

I do like many weeds too, though they can be such work in a garden. I remember my mother showing us the 'purses' on Shepherd's purse, and it's always seemed then one of the easiest to remember. You sound quite an expert. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I am not really an expert, Rhiannon. I am a keen reader and tend to assimilate a lot of what I am told is useless information.
I agree that gardening can be quite relaxing but exhausting. I feel tired just watching my wife tending to the plot. (Only joking).

Regards, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

How interesting this was Luigi. I had no idea sunflowers did that!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Now you can say that you heard it from one who kids himself of being a walking encyclopedia.

Best, Luigi x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Luigi,

you point out very clearly in this poem, that some forms of flowers have this natural ability to follow a certain pattern.

I used to love gardening, even had an allotment when I was younger and grew flowers and veg, but now I struggle to even get into the garden which I find so frustrating. It was always nice after a day working hard in the fresh air to come home and relax, knowing everything in the garden has been tended.

I enjoyed your informative poem and thank you for sharing.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I know how you feel, Jenny. Gardening is a popular pastime, some would say it is a national institution, that most people follow according to their ability. Naturally old age, as in my case, or physical impairment can impose a limitation on one's effort and can lead to a lot of frustration especially for those who have been very active in their youth. We have to make the best of what we have and, if possible, what better than to visit and  enjoy the landscape gardens, like Sissinghurst, which abound in the British Isles?

Kind regards, Luigi xx