The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. ~Isaiah 40:8
Do you recall the photo above that I post in the spring of this year? Yes, it's the plants we pot in the hopes that all of them will thrive and provide enjoyment for us throughout the summer and into the fall.
So, how are these beauties doing today? Shall we have a look?
The hydrangea, then and now -
Yes, it did bloom beautifully for several months, but as the flowers passed their prime, we did some pruning back in August. The leaves are still green and vibrant as ever. Hope prevails for a return of blossoms next spring.
Look how these two impatiens varieties have change over the summer months -
They certainly have thrived, and show no sign of quitting when it comes to producing flower buds. We expect them to last until the first hard freeze.
Remember the sedum?
Not too much growth difference here. Unfortunately, for reasons we can't fathom, one of the sedums gave up the ghost back in July. But the other one has, fortunately, survived.
The Virginia creeper has, perhaps, shown the most stunning growth over the months.
Don't you love how these tendrils are now draped over the edge of the pot? Can't wait to see if the leaves continue to turn colors as the fall progresses.
But as I mentioned above regarding the one sedum plant, our Christmas Fir and the Petunia Amore bite the dust.
How lovely they were! Again, there's no rhyme or reason why these particular plants would fail, but as Danny and I are out of town much of the summer due to my mother's illness and subsequent passing, it could have been any number of factors that cause their demise.
That being said, we are thankful for the plants that still grace our deck, bringing cheer and delight to us on a daily basis.
We know they won't last forever. Nothing in creation ever does. But the Word of God stands eternally, and in that knowledge, there is comfort beyond understanding.
His is the everlasting Garden, always growing, ever flourishing.
Amen!
Congratulation to Lulu! She won the drawing for Homepun Devotions - Volume One! You can follow Lulu at her blog, The Final Chapters. Still want a copy of Cheryl's book? Order it here.
Clearly you are a better gardener than I. We've been busy in the garden lately pruning and cutting trees and hedges and bushes.
ReplyDeleteGreat thought-provoking post, Martha. Thank you so much.
God bless.
I don't know about being a "better" gardener, Victor. So glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteLove and blessings!
My thumbs are black. I'm glad yours are not. The truth though of plants versus the Word stands true for anyone.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bill, it does stand true.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I planted Virginia creeper in two pots, Nad I was impressed with how well it did this year. This has been an unusually good year for flowers here in Missouri -- everything did well. I can't say as much for the home vegetables.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news, Glynn! Did you all get lots of rain? I know we did, and that seemed to help our plants thrive, for the most part. I think the heat must have gotten to the ones we lost.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations, Lulu!
ReplyDeleteI'm not proud of it, but most plants shrink at the sight of me. Yours is such a lovely and serene spot in which to live -- and someday thrive once more.
Yes, congratulations, Lulu! I'm sorry to hear you don't have a green thumb, Myra. We are so thankful for our forest and the lovely place where we are blessed to live.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congrats to Lulu! I love a giveaway. Missing Stephanie who use to have the Tea Cup/Mug Exchange every year. Those were memoriable times. Plants are finicky. Our Bog Girl and Big Boy tomatoes did not fare too well but the cherry tomatoes went wild. We barely made it to the house before eating the bowl of them, heeheehee... It looks like you have a great green thumb. I always appreciate your comments and kind words. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love a good giveaway, too, Anne. I sure wish we could grow vegetables here at our home in the woods, but we simply don't get enough sunlight. These plants were pegged as needing as much shade as sun, so I believe that's why most of them did quite well. When I did live places where I could have a "real" garden, I certainly enjoyed growing vegetables, too. Nothing like homegrown tomatoes!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteKeeping plants alive, healthy and happy is quite a task!
Guess you pruned back your Hydrangea way too early as they were still in full growth. It is best done while at rest, in late fall for us here in the South. Hoping for the best in spring!
We have white impatience in our planter boxes at the bay window and veranda and they have been blooming constantly. Demanding lots of water though!
Hugs,
Mariette
Impatiens do like lots of water, Mariette, that's what I've noticed, too. I didn't know that about the hydrangea, and I won't make that mistake again. Here's hoping it survives the winter and blooms again in the spring.
DeleteLove and blessings!
😉
DeleteHappy weekend my friend
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, enjoyed this update from your garden plants. And so thankful the Word of the Lord endures forever!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the update, Karen. Yes, I'm thankful, too, that God's Word is everlasting!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your flowers are beautiful and I know you've enjoyed them all summer long. I bought some mums last week, and they look a bit dry and dull already. Too much sun and no rain, and I've not watered them enough this week. I need to dead-head them and do a better job of keeping them watered. Yes, flowers fade and the wind blows them away, but you are right, The Word of the Lord stands forever! Praise GOD!!
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard to keep certain plants thriving in the Florida heat, Pamela, but water and dead-heading should certainly help. I do love mums! And we have truly enjoyed our little garden all summer long.
DeleteThank goodness the Word of God never fades or fails!
Love and blessings!
Always appreciates your insights and perspectives my friend. Thank you for sharing. The fact that any at all survived is a miracle in itself with the tumultuous year y'all have had. God's blessings.
ReplyDeleteThat is a miracle in itself, J. D., I must admit. We never knew what we'd find when returning home after being at my mother's. I'm so grateful!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your on-time post is a gentle nudge to bring in a few herbs to use this winter. Thank you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post gave you that timely reminder, Linda. I wish we could grow some herbs here, but we simply don't get enough sunlight.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your plants have done well! I would have killed them all - no green in my thumbs at all, I'm afraid. It always impresses me when people can keep plants alive and thriving! Kudos!! xo
ReplyDeleteTerri, I'm pretty good at keeping outdoor plants alive, but indoors? No way! When plants are outdoors, we can mostly leave it to nature to nurture them.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love my plants too. I just cross bred an African violet. I used a leaf from one purple and one white violet and planted them in the same whole in the dirt. It finally took root and grew two crowns, so I had to separate it. They will not bloom with two crowns. The result is only one crown survived, however; the bloom is white with a purple ring on the end of the flower. Nobody was as surprised as I was that it worked. It is so beautiful and I am proud of it. Your plants are beautiful too. Hugs and blessings.
ReplyDeleteWow, Nells, you are certainly adventurous when it comes to plants! I wouldn't have a clue as how to cross breed anything like that. Ironic because my father was a botanist who would have known everything there is to know about cross breeding plants. Wish I'd listened more to him . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your plants are flourishing! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday!
Thank you, Veronica!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Loved Martha your garden it was fascinating to see ehat thrived abd did not... my sedum bought a few months ago thrived at first now quite wan. I think I might repot it. And feed, and pray, see what happens.
ReplyDeleteLoved the tie in with the eternal word of God.
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Hope you can coax your sedum back to life, Shaz. Sure wish I knew why one of ours died while the other thrived. A mystery, for sure.
DeleteAt least we can rest assured that God's Word will always thrive in our hearts.
Love and blessings!
I love your plants. We have Hydrangea in our garden (not in pots), they love our rainy climate :( somehow.
ReplyDeleteIf we could have a garden in our shady woods, we certainly would, Marja. We did try replanting a hydrangea in our yard one year, but the deer discovered it, much to our chagrin. This one will have to stay on our deck.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hello. Your plants are cute. It's great fun to observe their growing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes, we do enjoy them immensely.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you for the shout out, Martha! I love seeing your plants. I agree they do not do as well when we are not there to tend them. I notice the fallen leaves around your deck. The same thing is going on here---Fall is coming!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
So, fall is coming to Louisiana, too? Wow! I always picture y'all as so far down south that it takes a while to reach you. Thanks, Lulu, for setting me straight. Do let me know when you receive Cheryl's book. Mail is so unpredictable these days.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your plants look better than mine! Too much rain, not enough rain. Praise the Lord that He gives us what we need when we need it. By the way, I read the first three books of the six in the series. LOVED them so much! Read two while enjoying an anniversary getaway in the mountains. We actually came through Kennesaw, Georgia and I thought about you and that was where you lived. I felt like I knew someone famous just driving through your hometown. LOL! Have a great week. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh, Cindy, how your kind and loving words spoke to my heart! I'm so, so grateful and pleased that you have enjoyed my novels, and I hope you will read the remaining volumes. Our anniversaries were always spent in the mountains, my home away from home. Perhaps, we are kindred spirits!
DeleteNext time you are coming through Kennesaw, please let me know so we can meet and share a cup of coffee.
Love and blessings!
There's something very satisfying about watching plants grow! I want to follow your example and take photos next year of the plants I buy for the deck planter. Last spring I chose a yellow daisy-like flower (Unfortunately the name escapes me) for the center. Four tiny plants sported one flower each, but a few more buds hid in the leaves. Little did I know how proliferate those little sprouts would be! Each blossom lasted a long while too, giving us much pleasure. I'm thinking God takes pleasure in his plants too (John 15:1-8, 16)!
ReplyDeleteI know God takes pleasure in all His creation, Nancy, and we are so blessed to share in that with Him. Oh, how loving He is! If you do remember the name of the flower, please do let me know.
DeleteLove and blessings!