Thursday, January 16, 2014

On growing where you're planted.

I've had a variety pack of sunflower seeds for a while now, and a few months ago I was out poking around in the backyard and decided to put a few of the "Italian White" seeds in the ground. I chose a flowerbed where rosebushes had previously not been successful, and to my delight the seeds sprouted. Then, to my dismay, Doug decided to replace the rosebushes.


"Please don't disturb my little sunflower sprouts!" I pleaded, and he assured me he'd take great care to protect them.


As with any plant that we value in our backyard space, chicken wire was laid at the base of the new rosebushes to keep our Lucky dog from digging there, and Doug was careful to weave the little sunflower sprouts up through the wire.



And now, a few months later, we have both a beautiful rose bush and some Italian white sunflowers growing side-by-side. This isn't how I would have ultimately wanted them to grow, but I can't help smiling when I see them, growing side-by-side like they were meant to be garden neighbors.



The rosebush will outlast the Italian whites, I know it will, but for the time being my sweet little sunflowers will continue to flourish, snuggled up to the roses with their roots embedded under the chicken wire, safe from a digging pup. And when they've lived their final days, I will scoop up the seeds and carry them with us to our new backyard space, where Doug and I will plan ahead when it comes to planting roses and sunflowers.

14 comments:

Audrey said...

Well Deb, I think they're lovely together. Those roses are really quite gorgeous. Clearly, those two like being neighbors! :-)

Ruth said...

I also think they look as though they belong together ... beautiful photos.

scrappyjacky said...

I think they look lovely together as well....such pretty,delicate looking sunflowers.

alexa said...

I like their delicacy alongside the more substantial roses ... You are guarding them well from predators! Nothing like a thorn in the nose to help a canine (however lovely!) back off :).

Susi said...

I think they are lovely together.

Unknown said...

Hey I noticed your pretty roses blooming in front of your house the other day! These are really cool too. :)

Beverly said...

The roses really are a gorgeous shade of red! I have never heard of Italian Whites.

Anonymous said...

They look splendid side by side - happy neighbours x

Jo said...

They look great next to each other, long may they continue to flourish :)

Karen said...

It is a bit of an unusual combination, but oh, so effective! Those roses are the most beautiful red!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

I think they look lovely! And I have to say, with a bit more snow this morning, I'm a wee bit jealous!

Irene said...

I'm jealous of your green thumb. They are lovely flowers.

Maria Ontiveros said...

I love these colors together!
I'm thinking it's almost time to start thinking about our winter garden.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

I think they look great together and what a gorgeous rose that is.

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