A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Buttercups in a Friendship Garden


Buttercups are yellow flowers, that are part of the Ranunculus family. There are dozens of species of buttercups. Some are cultivated garden plants, but most are weeds. Many buttercups grow wild on roadsides, meadows, parks and lawns. The petals of many species of buttercups curve slightly upward to form a subtle cup or bowl shape and their shape and yellow color account for their name.
Some gardening experts note that the appearance of wild buttercups in the garden means that the soil is likely to contain clay. Having good drainage in the garden may help prevent the growth of buttercups. They often prefer a damp clay soil. Buttercups are hearty plants and unless all of the roots are removed they tend to grow back.
Buttercups were used as a source of yellow and red dyes by some Native American tribes such as the Pottawatomie and the Ojibwa to color dried grasses used to make baskets. They were also used in salves in folk medicine to remove warts. The sap, thorns and juice of buttercups used directly can cause blisters in the mouth and on the skin. Buttercups are poisonous if eaten and they have a very acrid taste that allows animals to leave them alone. Many people remember the childhood game of holding a buttercup or dandelion under their chin. If the yellow color was reflected on the chin that meant the person liked butter. Some crafters like to press the small yellow flowers and use them to decorate cards and stationery.

I remember going to a garden club meeting for the first time. I was new to flower gardening and my yard was pretty much a blank canvas. So many of the members wanted to welcome me and said that they liked to share their plants with each other..Would I like some of their pass a longs? I was delighted and went with them, after the meeting, to dig in their gardens. The ladies lived next door to each other and here I was between the two filling a cardboard box with all kinds of starts of plants. Their yards were so pretty and I had hopes of mine looking the same some day. I went home and planted the labeled plants in choice places in my yard. In the bottom of the box was a mass of tangled, green, stringy plants with a little yellow flower. It didn't look like much...all wilted and dead looking. I found a place behind the shed near the rhubarb. I watered everything in and waited in hopes that all would "take." I had forgotten about the dead mass that I planted behind the shed. A few days later I went out to pick some rhubarb and lo and behold...the plant was thriving. It had popped up and started to grow before my eyes, it seemed. The buds that were on the plant had started to open already. Tiny yellow button type flowers with green centers. I had buttercups for the rest of my days in that house. They would get in the way of other plants and I would tear them out...only to have them look healthier. I planted them anywhere I had a bare spot. I loved to pick tiny bouquets and put them in a jelly jar on my window sill. Neighbor kids asked if they could pick their Moms a bouquet. They were combined with other flowers to go to the nursing home or hospital. They went to the Church secretary to brighten her desk. My garden then was a friendship garden. Lots of pass a long plants to fill a new members garden.

Balisha

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like to give away baby plants or bulbs or seeds to friends, too! It good to know that you are part of what makes other people's garden beautiful

Balisha said...

Hi Blossum,
I left a comment on your blog...thanks for reading.It is interesting to me, what different people do with the same plant. How they plant it, where etc.

canadian52 said...

Would you like some more specific suggestions on what an elderly person can do to make gardening easier? Here’s a link to a blog post that covers this topic. Feel free to comment.
http://live-in-care.org/?p=47

Barbee' said...

I enjoyed reading your buttercup post.

Elenka said...

You're right, sometimes plants do seem to grow right before our eyes. You know, it's truly a miracle. It really is.

Balisha said...

Hi Canadian52...I checked out the link that you suggested. It was helpful. I left a comment there. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Balisha said...

Hi Barbee and Elenka,
Thanks for reading. I love the simple little flowers best I think. What a cute name...buttercup.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

How I would love to see your garden. I mean be right there and walk through it. What a treat that would be.

2 Dogs said...

If you were my neighbor we could go exploring in the park. Find all kinds of good things. Wouldn't that be fun.

Anonymous said...

Such a nice way to get started in gardening Balisha. I've had plants that I wish someone had warned me before planting too. ;)

Balisha said...

Hello again,
It would be fun if we could actually see each other's gardens. I always said having company makes me spruce up my house...can you imagine what I would be doing if you all were coming for a garcen visit...Oh my poor back and knees :)

Tara said...

Morning Balisha,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I have had blog problems lately and had lost all my followers. I also couldn't comment on several of the ones I follow??? I am desperately trying to fix the problem.
I love reading your blog too. It makes me happy also. That is such a wonderful story about your flowers. The buttercups are lovely. Wish I could see it in person.

walk2write said...

I stopped by for a visit after seeing a comment you left on Mr. Brown Thumb's site. You have a lovely blog, and your story about the buttercups lifted my spirits this morning. Thank you!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Well..I just lost my comment. I do that now and then. Anyway..I just said that I would love to get some buttercups..I love yellow and love wild looking vines...hmmm I don't want them getting into the neighbors yard and causing a problem..still...they sound wonderful.