Perennials Teach Patience

Gardening is teaching me patience (as in "watch closely, don't give up"). This spring I had virtually given up on the peonies, lilies and trollius I'd planted last summer. And the I was sure the gladiola bulbs I planted this spring were never going to come up...more duds.

Well guess what? After I'd totally written them off and planted new peonies and lilies (one more try...) last year's popped up and are bigger and healthier than ever, with lots of buds! Who would've guessed? And although it took more than a month, the glads are about 1-1/2 feet high. Hopefully I'll see some blooms.

Now, if somebody can just tell me how to get my bleeding hearts to survive a winter. I'm still waiting for them to come back. ;-)