My Miraculous Gardenias
Our neighbors moved from the house, across the street, a while back. The house has recently been sold, but for a good long while, with their permission, I would walk across the street, and harvest my favorite flowers, gardenias, from their beautiful bush.
Having fresh cut flowers or blooming orchids, in the house, is my idea of true luxury. Thus, one of the first things I do when I arrive “home” from a trip, is look to see what is in bloom, that I may be able to bring some kind of bouquet indoors.
A few months ago, after a very quick stop in Florida, that was briefer than hoped for, as I was getting ready to close up the house, I decided to leave the bouquets of gardenias in their vases, as the flowers were all still fresh, and I could not bring myself to throw away perfectly beautiful blossoms – I figured they would become potpourri, perhaps.
When we returned, about a month later, and began to open up the house, which is darkened with hurricane shutters, when we are away. I went around collecting the vases of flowers, planning to replace the spent blooms. Much to my surprise, I noticed that beside the expected faded flowers and brown leaves, there were bright, shiny, green leaves! I could not believe my eyes. I took them into the kitchen and gingerly pulled the stems from the vases, they had indeed sprouted roots!
It was again a short visit, and fearing I would not be able to tend them, while they adjusted to living in soil, I put the branches in a plastic bottle, with water, and put them in the shade garden, where they continued to grow. I have finally transplanted them into pots, and am quite happy to think that in due course I will have my own blooming gardenias (yes, I understand Home Depot sells the plants too, but I so love free things) and I will also have a keep sake from my dear neighbors, whom I miss and wish well in their new adventures.
