This wild sweet pea blooms in one of my favorite shades of pink, and I’ve allowed a single specimen of this otherwise-invasive plant to take up one small spot in the garden border, just to enjoy the color. It also brings a freshness to this time of the year, when the heat and humidity can really deflate the air and the spirit (we just had a 95 degree day as evidence of summer’s power). The leaves and blooms remain cool and unmarred by pests or wild weather, lending a brightness and vigor to the garden, coinciding with the crest of summer.
It’s an essence that supplies the sense of coolness – these flowers don’t actually bring the temperatures down, but their visage calms and soothes the spirit with the matte foliage slightly imbued with shades of silver and gray, and the light green flower buds. It’s a case of mind over matter – necessary when the days run a little too hot, and mandatory for finding relief. We haven’t reached that point yet – all the heat and sun are still welcome and refreshing – but inevitably summer will tire us out. For now, I’m looking forward to being so spent.
