The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Did you realize that there are flowers that evoke different emotions? Looking out my kitchen window, I usually smile as I look at my flower bed.

When walking in the garden, I smile too, unless a weed catches my eye. Early in the mornings is my time to clip a bouquet to bring inside and keep that flowery smile going throughout the day.

Currently, I have a bouquet in a vase with the printed verse, "Friend You Make Me Smile. "I have clipped and placed in it what I think of as the happiest of flowers, Cosmos.

I wait in anticipation for it to bloom in my garden. The pink, white and burgundy flowers just evoke smiles as they stand above the green ferny leaves of the plant.

In my flower-filled mind, I think of burgundy as a regal color, white as formal. And so it goes with flower colors.

Husband and I recently enjoyed an evening with friends on a deck in town. I was anxious to see the flower show I knew was in this backyard. I wasn't disappointed.

Again feelings were brought out by the flowers and plants that surrounded us. We couldn't be anything but relaxed with the many varieties of colors, shapes and textures the gardener has in her beds and pots. My eyes traveled to purple and white blooming butterfly bushes and around to a newly planted hydrangea, zinnias, pretty little nasturtiums and more. The sense of smell was tempted with herbs including mint, basil, and rosemary.

I couldn't resist pinching off leaves of lavender which of course set the mood for a relaxing evening with friends.

Next came laughter and stories of vacations and day outings by those who gathered for a cool beverage. Along with the flowers bringing up memories, even the patio chairs were a glimpse at the past. The hostess had four steel chairs that she thought were in need of paint. Her guests shared that the chairs each had their own patina and stories about sitting on other older style steel chairs were shared.

Gardens are full of emotions and of course, stories.

As I turned around to look at the plantings behind my chair, tall stately pink gladioli stood. They seemed to say, "pick me, pick me." Yes, those gladioli just might be on display at the county fair by the hostess.

The evening was a delight of happy emotions and oh so relaxing. Even as we walked to our vehicles, cosmos seemed to be motioning at us to come and look at their happy blooms. What a delight they added to a wildflower mix along the hostess' garage.

It's hard to pick a favorite flower in this garden but standing ever so tall as if showing off was a bright peach zinnia. It's large bloom almost reached and grabbed my arm so I would stop and take its photo. Well, it didn't but I couldn't resist the photo opportunity.

Yes, even a make believe, fantasy feeling is often evoked by flowers.

I hope as the bloom season moves on you get to experience the many emotions of flowers and gardens more than just out your kitchen window.