My Annual Lobelia Sacrifice

Some people joke when they go to Tahoe, Reno or Vegas that they are going to pay their Nevada State taxes. Most shrug off their financial losses as "entertainment" money. While there is always hope of winning, the average gambler is never surprised when they return home with less money than they started with, but often have enjoyed an evening of entertaining activity with friends.

I feel like my relationship with the small dark blue annual flower known as Lobelia is kind of like those gamblers. It is one of my favorite flowers. Their dark blue is unlike anything else in the flower world, and blue is my favorite color. I don't spend a lot of money on them. I only buy a few plants because year after year they are dead in a very short time. I've successfully grown many flowers in my time, but have never - and I mean NEVER - been able to keep lobelia alive.

Each year I alter my method, hoping for success. Maybe if I plant them in more shade they won't wither. Maybe if I plant them in more light they'll grow tall. Maybe they prefer growing in a pot instead of in the ground. Maybe if I add special topsoil or special fertilizer they'll live all summer. Maybe if I plant them in plain old dirt they'll burst into bloom. Maybe if I plant them with other flowers they'll be happy.

But always, within a couple of weeks they are completely dead. Finished. Kaput.

A few years ago when my friend Patty and I were discussing gardening in general, I mentioned my Lobelia woes. Patty's experiences with the blue flower were identical to mine. She too loves the flower. She too has tried every strategy to make it grow. She too, looses them every year.

It's been an annual joke for many years now. At some point every summer one of us asks the other, "Have you bought your Lobelia yet this year?" We both fully recognize that we are throwing away our money to the tune of about five dollars. But like the gamblers, each year we have hope that maybe this year we'll have success. In the meantime, we enjoy their brilliant cobalt colour, be it ever so briefly.

So yesterday when I went to Carmelita's Nursery for Geraniums and saw she had a few Lobelia plants, I bought two of them. My mind said, "This time you're in Mexico. You'll be planting them in March instead of June. Surely that will make a difference."

I would like to announce that they are officially in the ground as of 10:30 this morning. Here is a photo to prove that they are in fact, planted and still living on March 4, 2010. I glanced at them a couple of hours ago - right around dusk - and they were sill alive!!! My heart leaps with hope! Maybe this year!


I emailed Patty. She commended me for being a "die hard." Well, I "think" she was commending me.

I also planted 4 geraniums in a place in the garden that needed some color. Betsy and I have agreed to call that portion of the garden the "Esther, Esther & Mer Garden." Mom's name is Esther, and Betsy's Auntie is named Esther. They both passed last year. I planted two tall, coral colored geraniums and left a little space around them. Why did I leave space around them you may ask. Because Betsy plans to go to Carmelita's to buy the remaining Lobelias to plant around them. Betsy never has trouble growing Lobelia. Argh!


Other activities today included ... a walk on the beach... are you surprised? And some of the house repairs began. Some electrical and plumbing items were fixed. Torn screens on doors and windows were removed and new ones ordered. The dishwasher was pronounced dead. Betsy began painting the wrought iron in the house. I played my mandolin for half an hour and my hand did not hurt.


We did some pruning in the garden in the company of dozing dogs. Frances tried out a couple of new places to sleep.


The day draws to a close. I think I'll take a quick peak out the front door to check on my Lobelia.