I’m going all in on the hydrangeas in the backyard around the pool. I’ve planted mostly limelight hydrangeas because they are such reliable bloomers and, in my experience, seem to be pretty easy-going as long as they have enough water. So, I’ve planted some traditional limelight hydrangeas as well as a Little Lime hedge around the patio and A/C unit. I also added some phantom hydrangeas to fill in the back corner because I got them for $12/each. I am excited to see them all in a few years when they’ve really had the chance to mature and fill in. The ones I planted last year are already growing and looking healthy and happy.
Because so many people suggested it, I have started watching Gardener’s World. I’m just going to embrace being middle-aged fully and watch gardening shows in addition to buying rain gauges and feeding the birds. In one of the shows I watched over the weekend, Monty was relocating a hydrangea and, as he was filling the dirt around the newly positioned bush, he talked through how he would care for it and help it thrive. As he does in his cheerful, soothing voice, he explains he was clipping down the branches so the flowers wouldn’t bloom and the bush could focus its energy on putting down roots this season.
I made a mental note as it applies to my own newly planted hydrangeas, but I didn’t think much of it beyond that until I was walking through the garden and watering this morning. I was looking at the blooms on the hydrangeas I planted this year and I found myself hesitant to cut them off. They are beautiful and I want to enjoy them. Of course, I could enjoy them in a vase or pitcher, but I’m enjoying them in the yard, and cutting them off won’t look as nice in the short term.
As I was thinking through this gardening dilemma, sage advice vs. my own wants, I thought about how it applies to our work as creatives. Whether your creative endeavors are a hobby or a business, it’s hard to deny that blooms, the visible signs of productivity and health, are what we all strive for. Blooms are visible to others. Blooms are desirable, showy, and beautiful. Blooms are photogenic and can be shared online. A bush without blooms feels like a disappointment, a failure even.
This bit of gardening wisdom was a great reminder that sometimes there are more important places to put our energy than making beautiful, visible work for the benefit of others. Sometimes we need a season to focus on our roots, to let them grow deep and strong, to establish our place, and to make a home in a new environment. It’s work that others don’t see or appreciate. It’s invisible and, on the outside, can look like a lack of work and productivity. But, putting energy towards developing strong roots is one of the most important aspects of long-term growth and health.
I think, especially with the pace of social media and the push to share regularly online and to please an audience as well as an algorithm, we are pushed into blooming. Not just blooming, but blooming quickly, prolifically, and without real rest. Breaks mess up your engagement. The algorithm only rewards tangible, visible work. Time working on the roots means time when there are no blooms to show.
Just like hydrangea bushes, we need seasons where we can focus on our overall health and put energy towards what will make us more productive in the future. I love the words JK Rowling wrote on Twitter in response to people wanting her to share regularly on Twitter. “…I’m afraid you won’t be hearing from me very often…as pen and paper is my priority at the moment.” I’m working on my roots, on the important stuff, the deep stuff, and you’ll see the blooms from that when I’m ready.
This is one of those posts that is just as much for me as it is for you. I have always thrived on productivity, which is one reason why sharing online suits me. But, those of us who love to make, produce, and share, need to embrace the idea that working on the roots is a part of productivity and, without energy put in that direction, the blooms will eventually be forced to stop. Your seasons of work are better, sweeter, and more prolific when they are preceded by seasons of rest and growth that might only be noticeable to you. Rest isn’t a break from work, it’s a part of work. Time to grow isn’t a distraction from productivity, it’s a part of productivity. And blooms aren’t the most important thing, they are the fruit of nurturing the most important things.
19 Responses
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words. Thank you, Marian.
Wise words ! Now what are you going to do with your new little blooms? I have the same dilemma… about 20 new little plants offering up their first flowers , seems a shame to prune them off but a good tending gardener I want to be ! So I will follow your advice ? Thanks for all your inspiration in many creative endeavours!
It depends on the way the plant is grown. Bare-root plants need to create fine roots to survive. Pot plants already have that and don’t have to struggle to survive. Those can have buds and flowers with no problems. Like a hedge planted at the end of the year there should be no worries, better pruned back in spring so new growth can set. Planted at the beginning of the year, best pruned back. All the growth will be needed in the root system. You can buy bare root roses in the fall, they will give roses the next year. Potted roses can bloom in the same year. Monty is a fan of bare roots, like most British nurseries. Welcome to the club of gardeners. I love my hands in the soil from toddler on, still a fan.
Very well put Marian. Sage advice. Thank You. Now go trim those bushes and get ready for the impact.
Hi MMS,
It’s seems that your garden is becoming a sanctuary of repose and promise; beauty created with creativity and patience.
As you await its growth, may its beautiful bones, fragrances, colors and shapes fill your soul. And, what delight to imagine next year.
With love from another expectant gardner on Mercer Island,
Diney
Gardeners’ World is the best! You’ll learn more from Monty than from anywhere else.
I like your analogy. Alan Titchmarsh, a previous presenter, always heeled in the new plant and exhorted it to, “grow, you bugger”.
Sometimes we need rest and sometimes we need a push, and sometimes it’s really hard to tell which one is needed until you burn out or settle into the doldrums.
I’m in a rest phase, it’s quite hard to give in to it!
Thoughtful words today. Thank you for sharing your heart. Pondering these things as I try and see what I can and can not do during my fall schedule.
So many lessons from gardening in more ways than one!
At first I didn’t see a parallel between your work and mine. But then I reflected on the time I’ve spent in the last 11 weeks, following my husband’s death. I’ve been cleaning out, refreshing and clearing space for new creative projects. While my energy is dormant for those projects just now (my blooms cut off), I can see that I just have to be patient and allow the tender roots to attach.
I’m sorry for your loss.
dear Diane
I am very sad for your loss, Jayne
I love how your lawn and garden areas are progressing so lovely! I have several questions and the first being have you ever considered taking a Master Gardeners certification course usually offered at a local nursery or garden center? Also, have you thought about putting in an irrigation system? Having an irrigation system myself has helped so much during hot periods with little or no rain like we have been experiencing in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern areas.
Thank you Marian. This is just what I needed to read today.
Though I’ve followed you for many years, I have not posted a comment very often. I recall giving you some outdoor planting advice when you first started to dabble with plants on your patio in PA and suggestions about natural seagrass rugs come to mind. I am many years older than you and I have so enjoyed watching you grow as a person. As such, I love this post today.
Wonderful post. You should read Christie Purifoy’s book “Seedtime and Harvest.” So much more to it than just getting your hands dirty. I think you would like it.
Sage advice & wonderful analogy Marian! Thank you! The good news for you on your Limelights however is they grow on new wood so it’s quite okay to prune them this Fall, and you’ll still have blooms next summer. Yea!
Garden Answer is another great gardening show on YouTube! Your place is beautiful!
Love this wise advice. I think Monty would heartily agree! Enjoy Gardener’s World! I had a lovely winter watching past episodes and even bought a book or two. I have done more gardening than I ever have this spring and look forward to everything growing this summer and into the fall. One of the more important things I have learned from Monty is that gardening is therapeutic on many levels and feeds both body and soul. Enjoy the garden and the pool!
Marian, Thank you for sharing the important thoughts you do. I feel like following you is helping me live more deeply.