My Mom was not a gardener, though when I was very young she had a small patch by the back porch where she would plant morning glories and nasturiums (she called them "nasty urchins"). The morning glories climbed up the wooden lattice that enclosed the small porch. I recall how exciting it was on summer mornings to go out to the porch and see what colors of morning glories had bloomed. Then came 'Heavenly Blue.' Blue was Mom's color, so once she discovered that variety, it was all she planted. For me it was not the same! Mom was what we would call today a community activist. If something good was going on in our little town, she had to be in on it. The old swimming pool, constructed from flagstones, unfiltered and filled from a hillside spring, was closed most summers when I was a boy because of polio epidemics. Mom decided we needed a new one, but it would cost $20,000 to build. Back in 1952, that was a huge sum--almost $300,000 in today's money. The Town Council balked but was so sure she couldn't raise even half that sum, they agreed to match up to $10,000. Five years later, that cash was in hand and construction of the new pool got underway. At the opening in spring of 1959, Mom took the first swim. It was still filled from the hillside spring, though, and that water stayed shivery cold until the end of June. Mom was an artist, too, and at 99 published her first book, "The Churches of Potter County" which included drawings of each of 60-some churches and brief historical paragraph on each. She passed away 3 years later, at 102. This spring I started some morning glory seeds of my favorite strain 'Japanese Giant.' The seeds are getting hard to find but I can't do without those morning blooms that take me back to that old back porch more than 70 years ago. Jenks, thanks for bringing these memories to the surface again with your wonderful essay about your mother. I'm expecting some good bloom on my 'Aurora Glorialis' crinums this summer.
I adore your words of your mother. She reminds me of my own mother who is outside everyday cutting grass, repotting her vast plant collection or weed eating. She’s 81 going on 30. She has taught me a great deal about flowers, trees and plants. I’m constantly learning from her today. I’d love to come see your farm. I’m going to Lake City today for Art Fields. I know you used to work at the Darla Moore Farms.
Keep writing your beautiful words and growing those equally lovely plants.
LaDonna, I’m Bob Waites and work with Jenks. We’re having a great Young Artists on the Farm event on May 27. Free and open to all but registration is required. Check out the website, Jenksfarmer.com and register at bulbmen@ gmail.com.
Your mom is a gem, a real treasure and a wealth of knowledge. I so enjoyed our chat and stroll thru your (her) garden on my visit to the Farm last year with the Georgia Perennial Plant Association. And I believe, if I'm not mistaken, I came home with one of "her" lilies which is now growing in my Alpharetta, GA garden. A memory I'll not long forget ...
Your lily Aurora Glorialis is beautiful. But your love for your mother Gloria and her traditional ways is even more beautiful. Makes us love you and her even more.
I love that, although I have not met you or you mama in person, she lives in my garden too. Such a beauty. I also have your mama's chrysanthemums, which are the only ones that have ever lived and bloomed here for me. Thanks for all!
My Mom was not a gardener, though when I was very young she had a small patch by the back porch where she would plant morning glories and nasturiums (she called them "nasty urchins"). The morning glories climbed up the wooden lattice that enclosed the small porch. I recall how exciting it was on summer mornings to go out to the porch and see what colors of morning glories had bloomed. Then came 'Heavenly Blue.' Blue was Mom's color, so once she discovered that variety, it was all she planted. For me it was not the same! Mom was what we would call today a community activist. If something good was going on in our little town, she had to be in on it. The old swimming pool, constructed from flagstones, unfiltered and filled from a hillside spring, was closed most summers when I was a boy because of polio epidemics. Mom decided we needed a new one, but it would cost $20,000 to build. Back in 1952, that was a huge sum--almost $300,000 in today's money. The Town Council balked but was so sure she couldn't raise even half that sum, they agreed to match up to $10,000. Five years later, that cash was in hand and construction of the new pool got underway. At the opening in spring of 1959, Mom took the first swim. It was still filled from the hillside spring, though, and that water stayed shivery cold until the end of June. Mom was an artist, too, and at 99 published her first book, "The Churches of Potter County" which included drawings of each of 60-some churches and brief historical paragraph on each. She passed away 3 years later, at 102. This spring I started some morning glory seeds of my favorite strain 'Japanese Giant.' The seeds are getting hard to find but I can't do without those morning blooms that take me back to that old back porch more than 70 years ago. Jenks, thanks for bringing these memories to the surface again with your wonderful essay about your mother. I'm expecting some good bloom on my 'Aurora Glorialis' crinums this summer.
Wow, what a woman. I want to swim in that cold pool and grow Japanese Giant!
One of my favorite things about you is to how you talk about and love your mama. It’s only befitting that this beautiful flower is named for her.
Jenks
I adore your words of your mother. She reminds me of my own mother who is outside everyday cutting grass, repotting her vast plant collection or weed eating. She’s 81 going on 30. She has taught me a great deal about flowers, trees and plants. I’m constantly learning from her today. I’d love to come see your farm. I’m going to Lake City today for Art Fields. I know you used to work at the Darla Moore Farms.
Keep writing your beautiful words and growing those equally lovely plants.
Best ~
LaDonna
LaDonna, I’m Bob Waites and work with Jenks. We’re having a great Young Artists on the Farm event on May 27. Free and open to all but registration is required. Check out the website, Jenksfarmer.com and register at bulbmen@ gmail.com.
Hey Bob
That’s great!
I’d love to do!
But I’m not young!
Lol
LaDonna
What a beautiful ode to your mamma.
Thank you. I have named 18 or 20 plants over the course of my career. And this one I am most proud of for its beauty and its name.
Your mom is a gem, a real treasure and a wealth of knowledge. I so enjoyed our chat and stroll thru your (her) garden on my visit to the Farm last year with the Georgia Perennial Plant Association. And I believe, if I'm not mistaken, I came home with one of "her" lilies which is now growing in my Alpharetta, GA garden. A memory I'll not long forget ...
Thank you for my lunch time read and a glimpse into your mama and your day.
Your lily Aurora Glorialis is beautiful. But your love for your mother Gloria and her traditional ways is even more beautiful. Makes us love you and her even more.
See you soon!
I love that, although I have not met you or you mama in person, she lives in my garden too. Such a beauty. I also have your mama's chrysanthemums, which are the only ones that have ever lived and bloomed here for me. Thanks for all!
Mine have been so very beautiful! Thankful! Judy Perry
Enjoy!