Religion and Spirituality

Garden, Blooms and Scripture 8 – Angel Trumpets Galore

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Angel Trumpet Trees

Angel Trumpet Trees

Angel Trumpets Galore! We have an angel trumpet plant by Sharon’s shop that normally gets out of hand – growing every which way against the wall and windows. This year, we decided to cut all the stems back except two vertical ones and remove most of the leaves to make them look like little trees. That worked and they’re looking rather neat so far.

 

Angel Trumpet Cuttings

Angel Trumpet Cuttings

But, the result was a bunch of short cut-off stems. I have heard through the years that angel trumpets can be propagated easily from those stems. So,  I tried a couple of ways. Both involved cutting off a piece of a new growth limb about 12 inches long. You remove the leaves and get a stick like that in the pot on the far right (placed in there last week.)

The bucket on the left is filled with water and the stems were simply placed in there “right side up.” The ones in the individual pots were just stuck in typical potting soil.

The cuttings in the water have started growing roots and you can see the leaves that have come on (it’s been a few weeks). But, I’m really impressed with the two in the potting soil that have been there the same amount of time. The roots are actually coming out of the pots drain holes and going into the ground. That appears to be the better method. Now, I can start a bunch, plant and enjoy a few here, and give some away. (sounds like the three reasons to garden!)

“They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.” Jeremiah 31:12 ESV

 

Garden, Blooms and Scripture 7

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Lavender and Rosemary

Lavender and Rosemary

Here are the lavender (on the left) and the rosemary under the windmill. First time on the lavender this year, too. I didn’t think about it until I started this series that there were quite a few new things in the garden this year. We weren’t expecting the lavender to get established since we’re definitely in the middle of the hot, humid southeast. But it’s just turning summer so we’ll see how it gets along during the “dog days.” Sharon has enjoyed the aroma of a few blooms already so that makes it a successful “lavender year.”

We know the rosemary can make it here. Sharon had a plant that lasted more than ten years, but didn’t make it through last winter. So this little one is the replacement . Might take some time, but it should come through.

“While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:35-36 ESV

Jesus went to the ruler’s home and proceeded to bring his daughter back to life!

A good reminder to trust Jesus to take away all fears – even (or especially) in the worst of situations. It doesn’t mean He’ll keep us from those situations, nor that the outcome will always be what we desire. The fear is driven away by knowing and believing that He will see us through them.

 

 

Garden, Blooms and Scripture 6

/ Bill Jones / Leave a comment
Cherokee Rose

Cherokee Rose

The Cherokee Rose is the state flower of Georgia. It is beautiful, as you can see. Typically, this rose is a climber, but if you don’t give it anything to climb, it climbs itself. This bush is a mound about 6 feet tall and 15 feet wide. And, again, this year has been its best ever for blooming. But, you do have to watch for the thorns. The stems can get 1-1/2 inches thick and the thorns nearly an inch high.

“And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.” Mark 15:17 ESV

The photograph shows well the beauty of God’s Creation, and should be a good reminder of the beauty of our salvation through God’s love. The thorns on the rose, and the verse above are reminders that our beautiful salvation, though freely given to us, came at a very high price.