Wendy's Wanderings
February 13, 2020
A Passion for Plants
In February we think of love and passion when we see Valentine's Day on the calendar. When I think of valentines, I think about all the passionate gardeners I know. Passion can be thought of in two ways — harmonious passion is when people do something because they love it in a controllable and manageable way and it has a positive outcome. Obsessive passion is when people have an uncontrollable urge to participate in an activity and the outcome might not be favorable. Most of the gardeners I know walk this edge of harmonious passion and obsessive passion when it comes to the plants they favor. Throw in a few hording tendencies and we have most of my gardening friends pretty well summed up.
Luckily for us in the land of flowers (La Florida) we can indulge in our plant passions and discover new ones along the way. The most passionate of all plant enthusiasts would have to be the "orchid people." With more than 35,000 orchids in cultivation they will never run out of material to be excited about. And if you are interested in how obsessed orchid growers can be, pick up a copy of "The Orchid Thief" or "Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust, and Lunacy" and you will get a taste of just how deep into the orchid pool one can dive.
Other gardeners are moved by succulents, bromeliads, or house plants. I have been with a gardener friend in a large greenhouse full of succulents and actually heard them hyperventilating while they made their decision on which plants were coming home with them.
Those obsessed with native plants and wildflowers understand the connection of the plants to the land and their contributions to the ecology. Native plants fans are passionate about so much more than just the plants; the plant is just the beginning of the story for them.
For those bitten by the rose bug they can think of little else. They are willing to share their obsession with you in the form of plants and charming tales starring engaging names such as Cecile Brunner, Louis Phillippe, and Madam Alfred Carriere. My own Uncle Huey, a career air force pilot, moved his large rose bush collection to every post across the world. Obsess much?
I am grateful to all the obsessed gardeners that have shared their passion with me, either in stories or with actual plants. These relationships have given me a new appreciation for the plants and for human nature. I am fondest of the gardeners that share their passion with others, be it through official demonstration gardens and classes or in a backyard with an over-the-fence conversation. Master Gardener Volunteers are the best at transferring that gardening enthusiasm and contagion. They pass along the plants and the excitement to those they encounter helping others to find their plant passion or passions, it is ok to have more than one.
-- Wendy Wilber