Let me say upfront that I use the word "Trump" these days with considerable caution. But anyone who thinks Mother Nature doesn't has a sense of humour needs to reconsider after hearing my story. Take my violas here at Struan Farm. Take them, please! I've been trying to grow violas from seed as part of King's Seeds edible flower mix, along with calendula, borage, nasturtium and cornflower for three years now. Violas were the only flowers that didn't grow, the seeds never germinated out in the garden. I'd given up on them.
Then this spring sister-in-law Anna arrived for a visit with a bag of white violas for the garden. She said rather quietly that they would self-seed, but then much of the flowers I plant around the place do. I took that as a good thing and not a warning. In fact I liked them so much I decided to buy more and plant them in a ring around one of the new round flower beds at the house. They thrived and looked fantastic. I even crystallised some recently for my birthday/anniversary cake.
I now find myself on a mission to eradicate violas. They are self-seeding everywhere. I realised that this was Mother Nature playing games with me. I wasn't able to grow them, but she obviously can, in a big way!
Something about the old maxim 'be careful what you ask for' comes to mind here! :)
Posted by: Jen Yates | 05/07/2018 at 08:50 AM