February Thoughts

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Cornus mas blooms in March

19th century writer, poet and activist Victor Hugo truly understood the depth of failure and joy through the life of his main character―Jean Valjean in Les Misérable. 

Is his famous tale relatable to gardening? 

I think yes. 

Uncontrollable weather events like hail, drought, intense heat and extreme weather swings can surely represent the sorrow and loss associated with plant damage and loss. Conversely, the first bite into a juicy tomato, a sweet strawberry and the delightfully scented waft of lilacs in bloom epitomize the essence of agreeable summers. 

Hugo must have had a sense of what February means to many northern gardeners. 

Two of my favorite quotable quotes from him - 

"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart; I breathe at this hour the fragrance of the lilacs, the violets, and the roses as at twenty years ago"

"Life is the flower for which love is the honey"

As of this writing dear gardener, the official date of the spring equinox is four weeks away.