Passion

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It's amazing how such an insignificant thing has become such an important part of my life ... a plant!  Anybody who knows me well, knows my passion for my garden - I absolutely love being outdoors in all kinds of weather - weeding, pruning, planting, etc...

Twenty seven year ago, my parents returned from their first vacation alone ... a week away in Jersey, which is part of the British Channel Islands. My Dad was smitten by this plant which grew in many gardens on the island and as a souvenir, he returned home with a packet of seeds.

He grew them, babied and nursed them, eventually planting them outside in the sunniest and most protected spot in his garden.  He'd cover them up on frosty nights and fret and worry over them when the spring arrived - wondering if they'd survived the harsh winter.  I remember commenting during that first spring that it just looked like an ugly ivy, climbing up the wall - but I didn't realize what an absolutely fabulous tropical-looking blossom this plant had hidden away for me - especially in a cold and blustery East Yorkshire garden!

Needless to say, 'that bloody plant' (my most recent name for it) is now growing rampant all over the side of the brick-built garage in the garden - now my Mum's garden.  It doesn't need any special care or attention at all.

When my Dad passed away, my sister, Sindee, gave me a seed pod from a plant my Dad had given to her.  So, I smuggled it stateside in my suitcase - shhhh!

Ten years ago, I started the seeds on my windowsill ... nursed them ... babied them ... heck! I even talked to them!!  I dug the plant up when we moved house - it sat beside me in my van, along with other precious cargo which couldn't go into the moving truck.  I waited patiently for the blooms - and waited - and waited - and waited ... TEN YEARS!!

This photo is of its very first bloom - ever!  I came across it this summer - and the plant bloomed all summer long!  I can now consider myself as officially having a green thumb!

I'm soooo sentimental about this plant - its a memory of my Dad, my childhood memories of  'helping' him in the garden and memories of a different life I once had.  Sadly, I have memories of my sister who has chosen not to be in my life anymore ... plus, it's been the challenge of forcing 'that bloody plant' to bloom.  (I think that the trick was to cut down the 3 spruce trees blocking the sun from its roots - pretty drastic, I know, but it worked :)


There's a biblical story to this plant also - the plant's name is Passion Flower -and a monastic scholar recognized every part of the plant which correspond to Jesus and the Crucifixion - the story is best explained on this website: www.passiflora-uk.co.uk/passion-flower-story.shtm

If any of my local friends would like to try to grow one of these vines, just let me know and I can bless/curse you with a seed pod of your very own!