GBBD: Gifts From Friends

This month's flower for Blooms Day is more of a promise of delights to come rather than showing off what's looking good right now. It's part of a carrier bagful of Hellebores J from choir gave me the other day. She has loads of them in her garden and these are a few of the self-seeders she's dug up for generous bagfuls to give to her friends.

A few days ago I wouldn't have been able to take this picture. The wintry weather meant pretty much all the blooms in my garden had flopped terribly and were looking most sorry for themselves. It just goes to show what a difference just one day can make.

Looking at these Hellebores this morning reminded me there's an important factor which makes our own gardens so special to each one of us. It's not the garden's design, it's sense of place, or the plants we've bought ourselves - whether impulse or planned. It's true those are all important elements, but the gifts from our friends - from both nearby and from blogging buddies in my case - make our gardens truly special.

I often get down about how far away many of my blogging friends are, but later in the year I'll be sitting outside in the garden and they'll be right there with me, in the shape of the plants they've gifted :)

Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

Comments

  1. Karen - An Artists Garden15 February 2012 at 10:50

    I love the fact that I have plants in my garden from friends I have met through blogging, Also plants that I have bought because a blogging friend posts pictures of a plant they love .... in your case clematis 'freckles', which I bought after seeing it here, it always reminds me of you!
    K

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 February 2012 at 10:55

      Hi Karen - I was thinking of the verbascums you gave me as I was writing this post. When it waves at me in the garden later this year, it'll be like it's you waving to me :)

      Great point that it's not just gifts from our blogging buddies, but their inspiration which helps to make our gardens special too :)

      Delete
    2. LINDA'S15 February 2012 at 11:39

      lOVELY POST AS ALWAYS ENJOY EVERY ONE OF THEM HOPEING TO INCREASE MY FLOWERS AND SHURBS THIS YEAR ALL AROUND MY LOVEFOR WILDLIFE

      Delete
    3. Mrs Mac15 February 2012 at 17:00

      HI!! I CAN'T LEAVE A COMMENT AS THE 'LEAVE A COMMENT' BUTTON DISAPPEARS AFTER 3 SECONDS!!!! SO I WILL WRITE IN A REPLY BOX INSTEAD...

      But I jsut wanted to say that I love hellebores!!!!

      Delete
  2. Donna15 February 2012 at 11:52

    I wish a friend like J would send me a bagful of Hellebores. Such a pretty plant and early bloomer. Happy GBBD!

    ReplyDelete
  3. garden girl15 February 2012 at 13:38

    What a beautiful hellebore! I love the color. It's truly wonderful enjoying blooms shared by blogging friends. It's one of those things I never anticipated growing out blogging. Having gardening friends far and wide around the world is truly delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lea s Menagerie15 February 2012 at 14:16

    That is a beautiful Hellebores, and being a gift from a friend makes it even more beautiful and special.
    I, too, have found inspiration for adding certain plants to my garden from blogging friends. After all, you are the reason I am attempting to grow lettuce this year!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gardeningbren15 February 2012 at 15:49

    You are absolutely right! Plants that are gifted hold a special place, because of their origins, and the kindness and love attached to them. I belonged to a garden group over thirteen years ago and when I moved, they bought me the most wonderful orange blooming azalea (Rhodendron x 'Gibraltar'). Each spring, my heart bursts in smiles, remembering their care, their kindness. A garden of community! Your Hellebores are beautiful, so special this time of year for all the right reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christine @ The Gardening Blog15 February 2012 at 20:58

    Oh that is lovely!
    Happy GBBD :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. growingagardenindavis15 February 2012 at 21:26

    What a wonderful and true thought. Those hellebores will bring you many years of good memories!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Donna@Gardens Eye View16 February 2012 at 00:46

    beautiful sentiments...so true!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Janet/Plantaliscious16 February 2012 at 11:37

    I agree, plants with stories, particularly when they are gifts from friends, help give a garden soul.

    ReplyDelete
  10. VP18 February 2012 at 14:25

    Hi everyone - thanks for your visit and kind comments. Visits from blogging friends old and new are always welcome.

    Helena - thanks for finding a way round the comment button problem - I wonder if other people are having problems?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Monica the Garden Faerie19 February 2012 at 14:47

    Love Hellebores!! Lucky you! I can't get mine to rebloom--think they are in too shady an area... and yet by the time it's warm enough to dig the soil to move them, I forget!

    ReplyDelete
  12. VP26 February 2012 at 19:50

    Hi Monica - that surprises me because mine are in a shady area. I hope I don't need to move them!

    ReplyDelete
  13. petoskystone3 March 2012 at 03:05

    How lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  14. VP6 March 2012 at 12:00

    They are and I've just spotted a white one I planted last year is flowering too :)

    ReplyDelete

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