The "Feather Tree"

  Growing up on the old farm place, I was introduced to gardening at a very early age.  In those days, it was not "child abuse" to have tots as young as 3 years of age doing chores.  Not a one of us ever thought that it was a bad thing to help out about the place.  We were expected to do our share and we did it without grumbling.  These chores instilled a strong work ethic in us.  To this very day, I still get up at 4am, do my household chores before dawn then head out to the gardens.  On the farm, we had working fields but Pop also enjoyed keeping a beautiful yard full of flowers.  I try to do the same.

  In the Small Gardens here, I have many plants (from tiny jonquils to large trees that came from the old place.  One of Mark's favorites is what he calls the "Feather Tree".  This is a deutzia that I started from a cutting.  Pop had the shrub on the edge of the circle driveway so it was only natural that I took cuttings when I moved to the Bayou.  The shrub is in full bloom right now and I have to agree with Mark.  Its snow-white blooms do look feathery!  

  Since I am remaking the pathways that Hurricane Zeta demolished, it is my intention to start more cuttings of the deutzia along with roses, dogwoods and azaleas.  Lining the pathways with blooming shrubs will provide glorious color to my hikes.  The Feather Trees will have to have a special place in the sunshine so their blooms will spotlighted!