I love having plants that represent bridges back to different chapters and different people in our lives. My family has a tradition of planting trees to mark significant milestones. I'm also a hospice doc, and I often get seeds from my patients' gardens. That way I have a piece of them with me forever, and they know they won't be forgotten.

Martha

When I receive a plant or some seeds from another gardener, neighbor, family member, etc., if I think of the plant I always think of the person too. For example, I am still growing the red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) that my mother gave me 20 years ago because she thought it was too invasive in her garden and dug it all up. It reminds me of her, but also I love it because the hummingbirds go nuts over this bee balm. I would NEVER dig it all up! Over the years I've shared it with numerous other gardeners and hopefully they've enjoyed the hummingbirds too.

I think the connections through plants are cool!

Can't believe you have been there three years! Seems just last year you were moving in and starting your new beds. Great to see the results of those three years and how they bring back thoughts of those early winter sowing days. I am anticipating the bloom of the peony from my grandma's garden.