The resilient lilac

Just outside my kitchen window stands a tall lilac bush. Its green leaves are luxuriant even in this summer's heat. This past spring, I spied showy fragrant blooms. You would never have guessed that the bush almost died. In September 2003, Isabella, the deadliest hurricane ever recorded, passed through and almost split the lilac in two. "It's gone," I thought. Still, I trimmed the broken branches and hoped for the best. Gradually, it revived, a pale imitation with no sign of flowers. Time passed. Then, lo and behold, the lilac flowered, although the blossoms were very light in color. In subsequent springs, the flowers took on their original hue. My lilac refused to give up. A lesson from my  garden.

The resilient lilac
Photo: SockFoon

The incidental pumpkin patch

In my early gardening days, I created a mulch pile under a gigantic horse chestnut tree. For a while, it was mostly grass clippings and leaves. One year, I tossed a dried-up halloween pumpkin and vegetable peels into the mix. Fall and winter came and went. Come spring, signs of life in the mulch pile! The seedlings grew and soon I had a wee pumpkin patch. Charlie Brown would be impressed : )
 

Pumpkin patch Image via Wikipedia

By their fruits you shall know them

So I bought six cucumber seedlings in spring and planted them. Two days ago, I saw the first fruit of my labor. Turns out it's a lovely yellow crookneck squash! But I am happy with the little guy.

Yellow crookneck squash
Photo: SockFoon