Hollyhocks, Borage, and Erica……

About two years ago, I drove by a house that caught my attention. I immediately pulled over and looked longingly at its charm. Loved the house color and more importantly, the picket fence and hollyhocks that grew in front of it. Yellow hollyhocks. I’d never seen yellow ones. A few weeks later, I purposely drove by it again and this time someone was out front working in her garden. I had to stop, pull over and get out the car to inform this unknowing person that I had fallen in love with her house and garden!! I introduced myself as did she, and it seemed immediately that “Erica” and I were old friends and chatting away like crazy. I left with a gift baggie of yellow hollyhock seeds!!! I was so appreciative and anxious to have them in my garden the following year, only to misplace them 🙁

Well, just yesterday, I again purposely drove by her house to see if she still had yellow hollyhocks. She did. So I parked the car, and went to her front door, knocked, and she answered. It had been two years, we had only met the one time. I said , “Erica?” “yes she replied……you look so familiar”. I said “you may not remember me” and then she said “YES you are from Lake Quinault….. you loved my yellow hollyhocks!!”

We had the best sidewalk chat picking up where we left off on our only conversation from two years ago. I again was gifted a baggie full of yellow hollyhock seeds. ♥ And in addition, some beautiful bluish purple borage flowers that are edible. I have never had those and was so taken with them. And she of course was willing to share and into the baggie they went! I can’t wait to try making something that I can add these to.  So, here’s to yellow hollyhock, edible borage flowers and …..Erica!

Yellow hollyhock

https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=503

 

 

10 Comments

  1. Jennifer Elders on September 16, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    Becky, I have some hollyhock seeds I can share with you if you want. They are such a lovely old fashioned flower. I just adore them!

  2. Becky Giroski on September 16, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    I have never grown Hollyhock but I have grown Borage for my bee’s, such a beautiful color blue and a delicate flower. It is a healthy choice for bee’s and butterfly’s. I think I will grow Hollyhock too this year. Thanks Jenn.

  3. Alison Carlyle on September 15, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    Thank you for sharing your sweet little thoughts and experiences.
    Thanks Jen!

    • Jennifer Elders on September 16, 2018 at 1:42 am

      Thank you so much Alison!!

  4. Sandy Blake on September 15, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    How fantastic! I love when we can connect with other people who have the same interests. I think we should think more about sharing seeds and perennial starts. That makes the flowers even more special!

    • Jennifer Elders on September 15, 2018 at 6:00 pm

      I agree Sandy! And I LOVE sharing whatever I have with someone else who loves it! And yes, it does make it more special ♥

  5. Shirley on September 15, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    Oh, can’t wait to see those yellow hollyhocks in the neighborhood..what a beautiful color they are….

    • Jennifer Elders on September 15, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      Here’s hoping Shirley!! 🙂

  6. Jenn Mabey on September 15, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    Sweet story and beautiful flowers!

    • Jennifer Elders on September 15, 2018 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks Jenn, and yes, I agree..such beautiful flowers!

Leave a Comment