Love

She watches every move. Even now, curled in a ball, snoring lightly, she senses me. I turn my head toward her and she opens her eyes slowly. I stand and walk softly to the door. She rises sluggishly to follow at my heel. She sighs deeply.

I often invite her to help me in the garden, but she prefers the controlled temperatures and cushioned surfaces of the house. If I slip outside, she moans and whines. As I work throughout the garden, she follows my movements from inside the house, running from window to window, hoping to catch a glimpse.

She only has eyes for her love, but if she could see beyond, here's what she would find:

These intricate flowers look exotic, but the passion vine (Passiflora incarnata) is native to Piedmont NC.

I removed the butterfly bush this spring and exposed these purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) to more sun. In celebration, they put on a big show.

Hummingbirds love the red blooms of Monarda didyma. I do too, except for its tendency to flop. This year, the blue Brazilian sage (Salvia guaranitica) offers its support.

Hemerocallis 'Baltimore Oriole' is near the end of its season.

I planted this button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) in 2003 and it bloomed for the first time this year. Button bush likes a damp spot and this spring, there was ample rain.

The prettiest flower of all.