Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

Nature/gardening

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

Gathering the treasures of my garden before the ice storm hits

Hybrid tea rose, croton leaf, esperanza foliage and blooms — Gauri Sirur

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An ice storm is slated to hit my state of Texas starting in about three hours. So, I was out in my garden yesterday afternoon, covering my hibiscus, Ti plant, and curry leaf.

I was away from home this year, from spring through fall, first as a caregiver for a loved one and then as a traveler. My garden turned weedy in my absence, but my plants fared better than expected. The sprinklers and comparatively mild temperatures summer through fall ensured that my plants stayed healthy and blooming.

In fact, my pink begonia grew quite profusely this year, without me hovering over it like a worrywart.

Begonia —Gauri Sirur

Texas winters are usually mild. Still, we have at least one hard freeze every year, which kills off all but our root-hardy plants.

Now, I looked around my garden. Come Sunday, most of them would have succumbed to the Arctic blast. A line from a Robert Herrick poem wafted into my mind, “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.”

Hmmm…

I brought out my secateurs and began clipping. Rose, marigold, begonia, vinca, and esperanza blooms. Croton and flax lily leaves. Then I picked some vases and added flowers and foliage. Voila! I could now enjoy my garden for a couple of days beyond the ice storm.

Below are some of my “arrangements.” Ikebana, they are not, but they bring me joy.

Apricot mini roses — Gauri Sirur

Begonia and flax lily blades — Gauri Sirur

Not terribly satisfied with this marigold and vinca (periwinkle) arrangement. But adding a tealight candle in the center should redeem it. Somewhat.

Marigold and vinca — Gauri Sirur

The little silver vase (below) was a gift from a beloved aunt over twenty years ago. I used marigolds in this arrangement to grace the family altar, because the flowers are especially significant in Indian culture and religious traditions.

Credit— Gauri Sirur

I stored a dozen marigold blooms — wrapped in a wet kitchen napkin — in the fridge. They should keep for three or four days.

All in all, I get to enjoy my garden just a little bit longer.🎶🎵

“Just a little bit longer,” — from the soundtrack of the movie, “Dirty Dancing.”

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