Re: CULT:Snow & sticky fingers

I suppose I was between 2 and 3 years old one spring when the neighbor's tulip bed bloomed. The wonderful fragrant flowers were almost as tall as I was. I picked them all as a bouquet for my mother -- every last one. I was forgiven, both by my mother and the next-door neighbor, but I was also instructed by my mother as to how much the neighbor would miss her flowers. She put them all in a vase and returned them, with apologies, to the neighbor, who insisted that my mother keep half of them. When I recall the incident, I can still smell that wonderful fragrance and feel the warmth of the garden. When I hear people express surprise to learn that tulips have fragrance, I tell them that you have to get close to detect it. -- Griff

zone 7 in Virginia


----- Original Message ----- From: <Autmirislvr@aol.com>
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: [iris] CULT:Snow & sticky fingers


In a message dated 3/20/2006 7:01:31 A.M. Central Standard Time,
tesilvers@yahoo.com writes:

<<But, I had a thought while reading your posting. When
you have your talk with them; keep in mind that maybe
they're "ripe" to be converted into mini-iris-people.
They obviously have an interest (however destructive)
in flowers. With a little coaching... they might
really enjoy helping you out with hybridizing or even
growing some irise of their own (culls from your
patches).>>
Tom, I will be just as gentle as possible with the children. I plan to
offer daffodil bulbs this fall if they are willing to dig them. If we can get a
parent to dig beds, I will offer to iris rhizomes and information.

There are four of the little darlings all close in age. I have a bad rep
with them already because I had to speak to their mother. One of the girls was
collecting my mail. The same girl that tormented the quail nesting in my
driveway last summer. Again, I could see her doing it so there was no denying
the fact.

A child should never be scolded for loving flowers. A friend once confided
in me that his dislike for flowers came from being punished when he was 4 for
pulling tulips & daffodils from a neighbor's yard! He associated it with
the flowers. Somehow, the fact that he didn't ask permission escaped his
notice.

This is one of the reasons I'll never mention the daffodil gathering to
their parents. They did not mean to be destructive. And, I really had enough
to share! Yet, I must make an approach since I can't risk the same thing
happening with the irises.

I've three little granddaughters of my own to corral. At least one is a
budding hybridizer. Another neighbor has 4 children, also.

If they'll stand still long enough, I will explain WHY they must not run
through gardens, breaking off stalks and pods! They must all learn respect for
a hybridizer's garden at a VERY early age! With enjoyment comes
responsibility! <vbg>

I do plan to be in the garden from dawn to dusk during bloom season . . .
anyway!



________________________________________________________
If you don't cross them, you can't plant them!
Betty W. in South-central KY Zone 6 ---
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
_www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/_
(http://www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/)
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