What Happens to the Garden When the Gardener Goes Away?

Ryan Gainey created the floral displays for the event

 We sold our house a few years ago after living in the house for 18 years and during that time we took down 10 trees, added a daylily garden, put in a large pond, moved plants from my childhood home which included tree ivy, iron plants, antique roses, sweet shrub, camellias, surprise lillies and more.  Most of my daylillies were from John Cranshaw's One Horse Farm in Kathleen and some were his experiments in hybridizing but I had daylillies in every color.  John passed away several years ago and I'm not sure what has happened to his gardening masterpiece. 

 I prepared for moving my garden, potting up as many plants as possible, but in the end I left behind a beautifully tended garden.  The experience left me worrying about what happens to gardens with the gardener is no longer there to tend.

This week I had the pleasure of hearing about the restoration of one well-loved garden.   The Cherokee Garden Library hosted a lecture by the authors of One Writer's Garden, Eudora Welty's Home Place.   The book tells the story of Susan Halton who met Eudora Welty and began learning about the garden as it was in all of its glory.   With Miss Welty's assistance, along with journals, letters and writings, Susan uncovers and ultimately recreates the garden that once existed.  It's a beautiful story full of family history with a glimpse into how the garden played an important role in Eudora Welty's writing.  The book also illustrates the importance of cataloging your plants and mapping your garden.

The Welty Home

Of course I came home from the event so excited because the program was great, the book is gorgeous and the event brought back personal memories of one of the best classes I took in high school - Ms. Dickinson's Southern Literature.   Even more vivid was the memory of getting to meet Eudora Welty when she visited Berry College in the 70s. 

During the book signing portion of the event I was so excited to have been the first in line so while staff was getting everything set up I had time to visit with the authors (and I didn't have to stand in a long line waiting my turn)!   By the way, the very last person to enter the auditorium (making a grand entrance) was Ryan Gainey.  The program was already underway as he (wearing bright orange) and his entourage paraded to the front row.   Seriously, was that necessary?   He is such a character!

Now, more than ever, I'm excited about spring.   The hyacinths and daffodils are blooming and the tulip bulbs from last year's tulip festival in Portland are starting to sprout.   

Oh, and I almost forgot!  Penny at The Comforts of Home  is the winner of the Random Harvest video.  Congratulations Penny!!

Today I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.  Hope you will join her too.

The Oscars - Which film are you cheering for tonight?   I can't decide between Hugo and The Artist.   Of course I'm still blown away by Meryl Streep's performance in The Iron Lady.  She is amazing.