Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Sweet William

Back in March my Dad gave me some Sweet William that had been transplanted from my great grandmother's flowerbed.  It was cold the day he gave it to me, and when I brought it home I put it straight in my partial shade flower bed with some water.

It seems like every other thing I plant in this bed bites the dust, so I'm thrilled to see now that the Sweet William seems to be thriving.  Even since I took this picture a couple of weeks ago with my cell phone, it has spread more.

It's native to southern Europe and the flowers are edible and may have medicinal properties.  It attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.  Supposedly in the Victorian language of flowers (whatever that is), it symbolizes gallantry.  For me, it symbolizes family.

Readers, do you have any plants that were passed down from family?

26 comments:

Tom said...

keep it going for generations

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

What a gentle name for such a delicate looking plant. I hope it thrives for you!

PioneerPreppy said...

Wild Sweet William grows all over the wooded areas here. There is also a rare White flowered one I see occasionally.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I would be just as excited, baby Girl! Most of my plants came from seed my MIL gave me years ago...they all hold a special place in my heart like your gallant Sweet William does...:)JP

Crystal Collier said...

It's alive! We tend to kill plants too, but mostly because they make me miserable. Seriously. After moving to Florida I developed the worst allergies and can't be around too much vegetation for long. *sigh* It's a beautiful plant and I'm glad it's thriving!

mail4rosey said...

I have some aloe that came from my SIL, that belonged to her brother (my BIL), who took it from his mom's Aloe plant when she was alive many years ago. It reminds me of family. :)

Sharon Wagner said...

Yes, we have Iris from my in-laws. They're prolific!

Sally said...

A wonderful treasure for sure.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm so glad to hear that they are growing. They are so pretty.

I Am Woody said...

I love plants that are shared. I have some purple iris that came from my Mom and she got from her Mom. :)

Sunnybrook Farm said...

There was someone at Lowes looking for sweet william but I have never seen it for sale there. I have heard of it but didn't know what it looks like. And there it is growing at your place!

Out on the prairie said...

I like it also, it is all over the forest right now

Michelle said...

I do hope it stays healthy for you.

Jenn Jilks said...

You're a little ahead of us! Mine is starting, though! Such fun!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

They are such a pretty flower,, and smell so good!
love
tweedles

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

It's really pretty! I'm glad you're having good luck with it!

Vera said...

How wonderful to have a plant that is connected to older members of your family. I don't have any, but I did recently buy our first rose, and it is already blossoming, and every time I look at those blossoms it reminds me of my mother, who died a couple of years ago. She was ready to pass over, so I am not sad for her passing, but the rose represents a celebration of her life, that I did have a Mum, and that she did love me although never was able to show it fully.

Endah Murniyati said...

So pretty!

Harry Flashman said...

I don't think we have any associations with plants in that manner, but it sure is a pretty thing, and if it has useful properties all the better.

Linda said...

No, I've moved too many times!

Unknown said...

No. My parents were serious gardeners and my maternal Grandmother even more so. But the memories are strong.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm glad it took! Yes, I do have a plant that was passed down..in a way. My hydrangea that I got a start off of from my best friend's mother. I named the plant after her and have kept it alive in some shape or form for many years. I thought it was dead twice from the severe drought we have had here.
This lady was my second mom for a long time, and every time I look at that plant I think of her.

An Apel a Day said...

Yes we do. My Dad loves to garden. Not so much with food, but prairie flowers and grasses.

An Apel a Day said...

That's pretty. I like its name and color to.

Indah Nuria Savitri said...

I just found out that the name is sweet williams :). I looks lovely for sure..

Tweedles -- that's me said...

And they smell so pretty too!
love
tweedles