Strive to smell like dirt

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." 

-- Margaret Atwood

I never had the pleasure of meeting Margaret Atwood, but I know by her quote that I would have enjoyed her company. This time of year, I hear the birds chirping, busily gathering fodder for their nests; bees in a tizzy; and I am at peace.  Yesterday, before I mowed the lawn, I was besotted by the violet odorata creeping brazenly into the lawn.  I hope by mowing it down, I've not so inadvertently spread the seed further. 

 For you readers whom have so graciously visited this sight, you know I could not leave one of my dear gems out when it was in such deep fruition.  So with no more fanfare, below is the osmanthus delavayii, a misunderstood, unappreciated vagabond in the plant world.  This is what happens when one allows it too ramble and resists the urge to prune into a round ball.  Of course tempered with time also.

This is the third year of one of my favorite japanese maples, 'Koto-no-ito'.  Roughly translated into english, 'string of harps.'   This is due largely to it's extremely incised leaves.  In deer language, the clear translations must be: 'got-to-eat-now.'  Hence the metal fence surrounding the base of the tree.

This spring holds much promise and hope.

I hope you get out there and smell the dirt!

Cheers,

Garden Fingers