The Essence Of Time

 

The last of the tulips and daffodils with some fragrant viburnum flowers.

"Time is of the essence" is a common phrase to indicate a sense of urgency. I have been feeling this as I contemplate my garden plans, my mortality, and just what activities I want to engage in to fill my time. I'm not obsessed with these thoughts, but as I dig and drag, chop and transplant, I have to wonder if I'm spending my time wisely or foolishly.

I've noticed that as the early mornings grow warmer, it is my habit to walk the grounds and admire the gardens I have worked on over the years. I love this little coffee walk ritual. Ten  to fifteen years ago, I mowed down everything except a few trees and shrubs in the back yard, in order to make its upkeep more manageable. Now, I want to create more of a garden/woodlands walk with flowers and plantings that encourage pollinators, and possibly a spot to sit for a while. 

Today is a perfect gardening day, and with rain predicted for the next two days, it's an ideal time to transplant all that I can manage today. My day started early with a trip to the Lab for a blood draw (pre-op necessity) and then the grocery store - all before 9 am. Now the rest of the day is garden time!

Last week my dear friend Dale and I went to the Berkshire Botanical Garden's annual plant sale and we both spent too much money on some unusual plant specimens. We then walked in the gardens and built up an appetite for lunch in Stockbridge, MA. 

Dale in the garden.

A pretty vista by the pond.

Monday was time to catch up with Susan. We both had morning appointments, so with about 2 free hours, we met at the Pine Bush Preserve for a little 3 mile walk in the woods. I suggested that location since I knew the lupines and lady slippers would be in bloom. I got that spot on! 

Wild lupines and a few glimpses of the endangered Karner Blue butterfly.

A couple of horse riders were also enjoying the trails.

A lovely lady slipper orchid.

As indicated by the jackets worn by everyone these days, we are having a very cool spring. That means a longer time to enjoy the flowers, so I'm all for it. I honestly dread the heat and humidity of summer. 

Now it’s back to the garden!

Today's target - this viburnum with a honeysuckle growing in its middle and grass/weeds all around.

The result four hours and 7,000 steps later - a newly mulched bed for the viburnum with a daylily, blue baptisia, and two lavender plants. I wish I had the energy to connect it up to the tree in the background.

I’m happy with that improvement to my garden walk. I also did some mowing, transplanted an astilbe and more hosta plants. I'm tired! 

Violet was kind enough to stop by and pose for photos in the newly mulched beds.

She is a charmer!

My sister thinks I'm a little bit 'out there' for chatting with the birds and snakes, but the critters do become tolerant of me when they know I'm not a threat. And it entertains me!



Comments

  1. MargaretMay 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM

    I love how you've made yourself part of the nature that you inhabit. That's a very tame snake! I too take walks around my flowerbeds and see how my annuals are doing--or how much I need to get out and weed. Ack! Our weather has gone from warm and sunny to rainy and breezy with a drop of about 20 degrees. A friend has a non-grass front yard with all sorts of trees and plants; I love the idea although I wouldn't be able to do that in my development.

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