My eyes had been watching the Lenten rose outside our bedroom window for a few weeks now – ever since the snow melted actually. It’s trampled mound of evergreen foliage had remained a vibrant green throughout the winter, and was the only spot of color for quite some time. New growth would emerge in a reddish-tinged maroon color that matched the flower color, before slowly turning green. I was watching the oak leaves that covered the plant for signed of movement, hinting at life beneath, but it took a day of rain to push them completely to the side.
This is how our garden wakes each spring – fed from the rain and ignited by the warmer days – yet every year it thrills as if happening for the very first time. The doldrums of winter can harden the warmest hearts.
As much as many hate the rain, and it’s admittedly not my favorite weather event, it’s still a vital part of the life-cycle of the garden – a regular requirement for things to grow. At this time of the year, it jump-starts the appearance of these flower buds, promising nourishment and sustenance – promising the end of a barren winter.
