Hand-me-downs

The other day I received an email from my cousin that started me thinking about all of the plants in my yard that were "hand-me-downs". Plants the were given as seeds, cuttings or just simply "given". Some of my plants actually have been handed down for generations from family to family or from neighbor to neighbor. The Night Blooming Cereus that I wrote about in the post titled "Night Gardens" is one of those plants. It has been in our family for several generations now and I am quite sure it will be for many more.

In this e-mail, my cousin was remarking about Resurrection Lilies. These are quite remarkable lilies that just seem to pop up where you least expect them after a summer rain. They are always a welcome sight in any yard! This brought about a round of e-mails in our family describing different lilies that have the same endearing quality of surprising yard owners with a bit of beauty. My sister and I fondly remembered the "Naked Lady" lilies that would bloom outside the bathroom window in our childhood home. Oh what gorgeous hats these ladies had and what giggly fun she and I had announcing their arrival in our yard. In our day..ahem..it was almost taboo to say such words! We had a great uncle that would never call them such but would rather refer to them as "Burlesque Ladies". Maybe that was supposed to be more gentlemanly. The actual name of these lilies is Guernsey Lilies or Nerine Lilies although some folks even call them Spider Lilies. I suppose as with anything, a name is just a name.

Then there are the Gloriosa Lilies that Dad had growing in another garden. These tall gangly plants have the most showy blossoms that open first as yellow then, as they age over the days, turn to a wonderful cherry red. They can reach almost eight feet tall and have tons of beautiful blooms. Gloriosas do need something to climb on and will grasp anything within reach to use as support. They put on a stunning display all summer and have no problem sharing a garden space with other plants. I also have some of his Purple Phlox. My dear sister was kind enough to share hers with me after Katrina swiped mine. These were always some of his favorites.

I have a plant from my grandfather that I call the "Pink Unknown" simply because I have never found a decisive name for it. (If anyone wants to inform me of the true name, I would gladly pass it along.) Several people have told me that it is a Shrimp Plant, this I know is not accurate as I have grown those, too. I have been told it is a Pineapple Flower which does not seem correct simply because it bears no resemblance to a pineapple as far as I can see. Then the name Pine Cone Plant popped up..well..maybe but I sort of like the "Pink Unknown" until I find the proper name.

All in all , most of the plants in my yard are shared plants. My dad used to tell me to share my plants and that would make mine grow better..and obviously it does! Not to mention, if by chance I lose the original plant I can always replenish my stock simply by visiting a neighbor, friend or family member that was on the receiving end of a gifted plant. So give a plant or two..watch yours flourish..gain a gardening friend in the process. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!