The Latest Thing I said to my Plants

Do you talk to your plants?  I have become more aware of the fact I do.  I recently talked to some perennial vinca at work that was just planted last fall, saying how proud I was that it's blooming already.  Some folks who heard it thought it was funny.  If no one had heard me, I probably would not have thought anything of it.

Here's a photo of a few seedlings that were sown by last year's verbena bonariensis plants.  I thought I'd share the last thing that came out of my mouth when I discovered them.   I said, "Welcome to the party!  Do you have some friends that are on their way?"  I'm sure they do.  I usually have to pull some of them up or give some away so they and other plants in the area have room to grow.  They do stay pulled, so are not invasive.  They are actually perennials in warmer zones.  Once in awhile, I've had one live over a winter.

Here's an August 2009 photo of one of the plants that I let grow in the veggie garden near some cucumbers.

Verbena bonariensis grows well in a full or cottage garden, because it is tall and wispy, and doesn't take over the space belonging to other plants.  It can also be trimmed if you want to limit where it goes. 

The main thing I love is that butterflies feed on the blooms.  These 2 photos were taken last September.

This is a skipper of some kind, that I probably have posted before.

I may have shown this Painted Lady, too.  I am so excited for a new season, and hope to see more butterflies than last year.

I know I have said other things to a variety of plants, and have told my new bed how tickled I am that everything is up and doing so well.  What have you said to your plants or gardens lately?