Smiles for Strangers

This morning, I was quietly watering the new transplants in my garden, listening to the sound of the birds and watching the bees buzz in the Bee Balm.  

I noticed a walker on the sidewalk in front of my garden. It is not uncommon to see walkers, runners and bikers go past the front of our house. 

I noticed her, but she did not notice me... she was too busy looking at my garden.  When she finally noticed me, she started in surprise, then smiled and said, "Walking past your garden is the favorite part of my walk."

And that one comment made my day. 

 I love my garden.  I love the riot of color, the textures and the smells. I love the promise of a new transplant.  I love the joy when a plant takes off and really grows for the first time.  I love the dependability of established plants that come back year after year.


But even more, to know that my garden brings joy, not just to me, but to random people walking past. That through this love of mine, I can bring a smile to someone... without even being there.

It is a wonderful thing :o)

As I was still smiling from the interaction, and turning off the water, I glanced again toward the road.  A runner, going past, eyes perpendicular to his path.  Enjoying my garden.

Ceniza, Texas Sage

 Leucophyllum frutescens ceniza, Texas purple sage, barometer bush grows 4–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide best in zones 7b–10 with hot summers and alkaline soils special attributes: Ceniza is a southwestern shrub with felted gray, green, or silver rounded foliage. Snapdragon-like flowers smother branches after thunderstorms and attract bees and hummingbirds. Selections include compact forms, and flowers in pink, lavender, purple, or white. Good in warm coastal conditions. Feeds caterpillars of checkerspot butterfly.”

— Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens: 200 Drought-Tolerant Choices for all Climates by Scott Ogden, Lauren Springer Ogden

I have a long history of this plant.  One of the first plants I planted in the back yard were four or so of these bushes.  In the first year, three died from drought and the next year the last one died from overwatering.  This is more of a testament to my cluelessness than the hardiness (or lack thereof) of this bush.

Many years (and much garden knowledge later), I purchased this plant again for the backyard side garden.  I wanted to add some Silvery color.  It has done well there with no effort.  Dave then purchased a clearance bush that I have put it in the front garden... though I may have to transplant it one day, as I fear it will get too large for its space.  I love the silvery foliage of this plant, and it’s surprising burst of purple flowers right before  (or with my plants, right after)  a rain.

Though in posting this plant overview, I find that I have so photos and almost no mention of this bush.  I guess it is not a stand out, but I still might pick up another one day, as it is a steady bush with interesting foliage, that once or twice a year surprises with its burst of color.