back in the garden

Img_1854.jpgThe summer heat and humidity is enough to make anyone feel a little wilted.

Actually this is a datura blossom near the end of its short life. I like daturas, also known as jimson weed, but a lot of people don't. The plant itself is mostly big and ugly and is poisonous. But the flowers are gorgeous at night when they first open and have a strong fragrance.

The garden is starting to bloom out again now that the rains have mostly stopped and the sun is back out. The roses especially have really come back to life and the summer flowers are starting to show themselves too.

I am still trying to trim back the rampant growth of weeds that took over during the rains. It is so bad that it is intimidating, but I just have to take a small section at a time and try to tame it.

Posted by Bill Hopkins on July 7, 2004 09:21 PM
Comments

Hey Bill--its been a long time since I visited your portal--but its good to be back and I like your nature writing, I didn't know that Datura was jimson weed, we don't have any around here, but some friends in a nearby city bought a house with a lot growing, and they couldn't wait to eradicated it. Some people, also don't like hollyhocks, which I love, calling them "shithouse flowers." I think it is a class thing--and I have been thinking about class a lot, and how hard it seems to transcend the class system in this country, if you are from working class. Just my own experience. Artists, however, transcend all classes. Don't know why I am even posting this, I guess I have been obsessing about it.

Posted by: basha at July 8, 2004 09:32 AM

THe caterpillars scared me offf the weeding, and Now it is overwhelming!!! Im tempted to just mow it all down and start over!!!

Posted by: Mary Lou at July 8, 2004 12:39 PM

I've talked to people who have smoked jimson weed and they said they didn't come down for a week! It figured in the toalache ceremonies they held in these parts in Mission days.

Posted by: Joel at July 13, 2004 12:11 AM

That is a very dangerous thing to do Joel.

Posted by: bill at July 13, 2004 07:00 PM

Tell me about it! I was regarded as being a bit wimpish for not "trying anything once". I'm glad I didn't do that.

Posted by: Joel at July 24, 2004 02:43 AM