The Crepe Myrtle was here when we moved in. It was planted, but not nurtured, so it didn’t know the power it held. I learned when and how to cut it back so it could rest off season. Each year it grew and bloomed a little bit longer than the last, but this year it bloomed all summer!

Standing in the yard with the watering hose, I looked up at the Crepe Myrtle and it had bloomed out. I thought about watering it one more time, but it whispered, “I’m done” and I can respect that.

One of the many things this yard has taught me is this. No matter the action, or the effort given, I cannot make a flower bloom. There’s this one plant that was in bloom when purchased, but those blooms expired, and it hasn’t bloomed again all summer. The foliage is the richest, dark green color and that’s it’s saving grace right there. Even when not in bloom it’s beautiful to look at.

I’ve moved it all over this yard, trying to find the perfect spot for it to bloom and even gave it my favorite planter. I sat it beside the Hibiscus, which is blooming like crazy, in hopes it would see what it’s supposed to be doing! Otherwise, it looks happy where it sits with just enough light, but not too much sunshine. My job as caretaker is to make sure it doesn’t dry out, so it receives it’s daily drink of water.

Walking by to give it a drink, I noticed a hint of color underneath the leaves. At first, I didn’t believe my eyes, but pulled back the foliage to investigate and there it was…starting to bloom…in silence.

Plants are like people. Some grow quickly, some slowly and some are never happy. Not every plant puts on a display when they bloom. Some put on a show, and those are the ones who will invade your space to take over your garden if you let them, but then there’s the ones which bloom quietly. The ones who believe in steady growth and you think they’re never going to bloom, but then they surprise you. They’re low maintenance and give so much more than they take.

My heart goes out to these silent bloomers. When most of us are done, you’re just getting started and prefer to bloom in silence.