I feel a moderate sense of pride when I
reflect on my current success story. It began almost a year ago when I stopped by
a large local hardware store. I was only there to purchase a light bulb. Of
course, it's almost impossible to purchase one light bulb thanks to multiple
packaging. And thanks to psychologically effective display patterns and
subconscious messaging, it's practically impossible to walk out of a large
hardware store without a shopping cart full of things one isn't aware one needs
when one enters the store.
They were mainly evergreen shrubs and half
dead perennials, none of which I needed. I did give them the once over, but
since I was in a hurry to get home and restore light to the bathroom, I didn't
linger. The following day I went back to pick up a light bulb for the outside
light over the front door. Since it was a sunny Saturday morning, there was no
rush for the light bulb, so I was able to look over the plants a little more
carefully.
I focussed on the perennials, hoping there
might be something unique that I could scoop for next to nothing, but
typically, these plants are ones that arrived at the store by the thousand and
are only stacked at the door for a quick sale because it's closer than the
dumpster.
It was then that I spotted it, almost
hidden among the abundant spireas going for $3.99. At first, I thought it was a
discarded support cane stuck in a pot, except it had a few yellow leaves
hanging from it. There was a tag attached, though a faded one. I could just make
out the words — Caryopteris 'Sunshine Blue', a small shrub. No Caryopteris had
ever been grown in my garden. I'd never thought of planting one as they're
barely hardy here. But, at $3.99, I'd nothing to loose.
I then did a major refurbishing of the soil
before planting the caryopteris, digging deeply, adding compost. I watered well
then stood back. Nothing happened, other than the two leaves falling off. Later
in fall, I mulched seriously all around the plant, hoping to ensure it would
survive its first winter, more in hope than anticipation.
It did indeed survive,
although I had my doubts as it was the middle of June this year before it so
much as sprouted a leaf. These were yellow, the same colour as the ones that fell
off in fall. I've since learned that they're supposed to be a golden yellow, so
it had not been quite so sick as it looked when I brought it home.
Right now, I'm feeling pretty good because
over the summer the plant has flourished. Small blue flowers are appearing and
it looks perfect in it's location beside the shed. Hmm, I just noticed the bulb is out on the table lamp. I'm off to buy a new one.
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