I am licking my wounds today, not literally but close. I am, however, applying first aid ointment to a few of the scratches and punctures on my hands and arms. My wounds came after a sad battle with six of our eight rose bushes that did not survive the winter. 

We spent a good portion of the rain-free Monday pulling and digging out the dead bushes. No amount of garden gloves could prevent a few painful interactions with the thorny plants.

I am not sure if it was weather-related or a blight, but it became apparent as temperatures warmed that we would not have as many of our beloved roses this spring and summer. Two plants remain as greenery has appeared on their branches. That has given me hope.

The rose bushes have been a part of our homestead since we moved here nearly 12 years ago. The plants had thrived and bloomed with bursts of red and pink in various hues year after year until now. 

As I debated the inevitable task of having to remove the non-bloomers, I wondered to myself “What would Mom do?” My mom loved gardening albeit she lived more than 60 years in a suburban neighborhood. 

Her gardening was limited to a few plots of tomato plants in the backyard and flower beds around the perimeter of the house. She was also most proud of a bed of mint plants and a few herbs that crowded around the bottom of the backyard steps.

She tended to her plantings late into her life. Mom called it “playing in the dirt.” I can still picture her seated on the ground as she pushed new plants into the earth. She derived great pleasure and peace in these simple acts.

Her love of anything green and colorful was rewarded with hundreds of hanging baskets and bouquets over the years, given to her by her children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Her front porch on Mother’s Day and her birthday looked like the interior of the Laupp Florist shop.  There was never a question of what to get Mom on special occasions. If it bloomed, it was welcomed and loved. 

So as I sit here and look out at my now half-barren rose garden, I am determined to make it good again. I know it’s what Mom would have done.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.