Couple downsizing

Paul B3

Today we helped a couple move to their new bungalow near the coast ; they are downsizing from a well stocked rural garden to pretty much a smaller 'blank canvas' .

We've known them for a few years now having been regular clients .

Realising they had far too many plants , and as a thankyou for the 'toil' in the heat of today , they offered me a potted clump of a flowering Morina longifolia , and a large pot of Paradisea lusitanica which has only just finished its display for this year .

The former will be re-potted into a sandy neutral mix in a large terra-cotta pot and overwintered on the dry-side under glass ; the latter will be set in a dampish border outside .

People like this make our job worthwhile ; the same couple who (a few weeks ago) , gave me a large Edgeworthia chrysantha and a specimen clump of Francoa sonchifolia .

We will certainly miss the coffee and cakes which were served regularly , and the discussions on plants etc . She is fairly well versed on the subject , and the plants they've kindly given me will be well taken care of , partly out of respect for them and of remembrance for the future .

herbaceous

How lovely Paul B3, it costs nothing to treat others with respect and kindness and it made all the difference back when we could socialise, bring back those days eh?  Those plants will always remind you of the kindness and courtesy of a lovely couple. My garden is full of 'other people' as I am sure many gardens are and it is a lovely way to remember them.

AnniD

It's always nice to be appreciated Paul B3, it's the little things that make you recall people with affection (or otherwise). 
I hope they are very happy in their new home, and the plants that they gave you will flourish for many years to come 

GemmaJF

That's lovely Paul, I'm sure the plants will bring great pleasure over the years and bring back happy memories of the couple. I'm still over the moon that a neighbour gave me a load of strawberry plants. I over ordered seed potatoes and asked if they needed any. They already had enough, but offered me 30 strawberry plants in return. We took a lot of care to make a nice new bed for them to go in and I think of the neighbours every time I water (read pilfer) the strawberries.  Was one of those things I had planned for this year but put it off during the early confusion of lockdown. So was amazing that it turned out that I still got strawberries this year.

Paul B3

Thanks for the above comments ; it is always good to receive a 'freebie' , especially when the plants are slightly off mainstream in my opinion . Last year I exchanged with them a 30 litre pot of the true Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum venustum) for a large clump of Aconitum x cammarum 'Bicolor' ; a striking and statuesque six-footer with unusual slate-grey and blue flowers . In a few weeks when the couple are settled I'll call in on them .

BenCotto

As is often the case I grew too many plants and gave around 100 away through the village’s Facebook page. One grateful recipient who wanted lots of growing advice too was a Mongolian trapeze artist (we have a circus that overwinters in the village). That was something to tell Dear Diary.