The holiday season is a time of great anticipation. Anticipation of gift giving and receiving, of spending time with those we love,
of wishes coming true. While I certainly
enjoy all of these holiday experiences, my anticipation this year is not geared
towards the opening of presents, but rather to the opening of my Edgeworthia chrysantha buds, which are prized for
their intoxicating fragrance.
zone 7 plant in the Daphne family that grows to 8 feet tall and wide. The plant truly has all season interest with
attractive leaves, striking brown bark and beautiful buds. While all of these
features are lovely, like a child dreaming of Santa delivering everything on
her wish list, I long for the gift of this plant’s fragrant blooms.
 |
| The beautiful leaves and buds |
 |
| The gorgeous bark adds winter interest |
the house and adjacent to a line of wind-sheltering Thuja ‘Green Giants,’ last
year only one bloom opened due to the extremely cold winter in my zone 6b
garden. I can’t tell you how many times
I snuggled my nose up against that single bloom and breathed in deeply.
 |
| My single bloom from last year |
This year my Edgeworthia has grown even more and is loaded
with fuzzy, paw-like buds. We are
experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures so far this year in the Philadelphia
area and I’m hoping that winter is kind and that Mother Nature, Santa and the
elves collaborate and give me the gift of many blooms next year. What a nice gift that would be!
 |
| Lots of buds. Will they become blooms? |
Here’s hoping all of our wishes come true this holiday season.
all through the yard
Not a bloom was freezing, the scene perfect as a postcard.
I was nestled all snug in my bed
While visions of Edgeworthia chrysantha blooms danced in my head.
Out in the garden there arose
such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
The moon shone on the new-fallen snow
Highlighting the buds, ready to burst you know.
As spring arrived, what to my wondering eyes should appear
good year!
my prayer.
Add a Comment