Ever feel like you’ve been kicked to the curb and are in a ditch? Don’t despair; get in your car and drive the country lanes of Sonoma County. What do you see?
There are hosts of wildflowers, including white Queen Anne’s Lace (daucus carrota). sky blue flax (linum), yellow mustard, red Indian Paintbrush, white and lavender wild radish and many others. What they have in common besides their beauty in that no one planted them and God himself tends them, sending just the right amount of rain and sunshine. Matthew 6:28-29 says,
“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these.”
To me, their ubiquitousness and tenacity speak of God’s ability and desire to care for His creation, especially us.
If there is a corner in your garden that is lying fallow, why not try planting some wildflower seeds. A variety of native perennials and annuals await you at the nursery. Scratch up the surface of the ground with a rake, mix the seeds with some sand, scatter them as evenly as you can. Turn the rake over and push some dirt over the seeds. Water them sparingly until they sprout and then water less frequently. Many of them make good cut flowers such a clarkia and Queen Anne’s Lace, the latter lasts a long time in arrangements and adds texture to any bouquet.
When you look over your garden and see all the Prima Donnas that you fuss over and prune, remember the wildflower. It is part of a beautiful chorus singing backup for the divas who take center stage, but without whom the show would be less impressive.
Much like wildflowers, God wants us to grow where He has planted us. So when you’re in the ditch, lift up your head and look around. You’re in good company.
Your gardening friend,
Marianne Farrier
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