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April 12, 2011

A MIRACLE IN MY GARDEN

Gardeners are a strange lot, I know.  Sometimes the littlest things get us so excited.
And I am no different.

Before leaving our home in Montana I spent some time digging up many of my bulb plants with the intention of replanting them at our new home by the sea in the spring. 

There was a variety of colors and types but many were lilies.

I placed them in a burlap bag with sawdust as filler to keep them safe. They seemed to rest comfortably in the bag as we did all our travels and they spent the 'winter' inside the bag in the shop to be away from the new elements.

At some point this early spring I placed them in the bag into a half whiskey barrel that was out in the yard. I covered the barrel with a tarp to keep all the rain water out until it was time to plant all the bulbs.

A few days ago I decided that it was time to cut open the burlap bag to find some bulbs to set into the flower bed.
As I lifted the tarp from the barrel I was so shocked to see that the whiskey barrel was completely filled with rain water. Apparently I had used a tarp that had small holes in it that I hadn't spotted earlier.

I didn't get a photo of the drowned bulb sack..I was just to upset about the whole thing.

I did turn the barrel on it's side to drain out all the water so I could dispose of the ruined bulbs and sack.  It took several days of sun and a light breeze to dry out everything.

As I picked up the bag to place it in the garbage can the bottom of the bag fell out of it. So I shook out the rest of the contents into the barrel and decided I would spread it on the garden to be worked in when we tilled it.

This is what the contents of my bulb bag looked like after it was removed from the burlap bag...
Of course I was heart broken to see that nothing had survived this terrible incident of all that rain water.

As I place my hands into the mixture to prepare it for the garden I felt something against my fingers.  I gently pulled and to my joy and amazement I brought up a plant!

I was so surprised and excited to see that something had actually survived a near drowning in the whiskey barrel.
Of course I have great hopes that is survivor could be one of my precious Tiger Lilies.

I carefully placed my little treasure into a pot and placed it back in the shop to protect it from the rain and cold evenings we are having for a few days.
We have named this little plant "Miracle" because it has to be one considering everything this little plant has been through.

I am hoping that this plant will be one of my Tiger Lilies because I have had this plant since I planted a seed in 1985 in my garden.  I had dug it up and replanted it every where I have lived ever since.

But considering the journey this little bulb has made, I will welcome any Lily into the garden and tend it well. And hopefully she will stay with us for many years to come.

I will post a photo of "Miracle" the moment she shows her true 'colors' to us!

Oh my, A miracle has happened in my garden!

17 comments:

  1. What a cool story! Keep us updated on what kind of plant it is!

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  2. Thank you JackDaddy, we are anxious to see what type this little miracle is too! I will keep updates comimg!
    Gail

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  3. Wonderful. I will be following the story of this one tough little plant

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  4. This truly is a miracle! We can't wait to see her blooming away!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  5. Woof! Woof! GREAT! We are very happy for you. My mom LOVES plants n tiger lilies is one of her favorite flower. Did you know that tiger lilies plants means/symbolizes wealth n pride - so it is a great plant to have in your home. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  6. Thanks Keewee....keep your green thumbs crossed for me!!!
    Hugs, Gail

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  7. Maggie and Mitch...yes, I must say this is a real miracle right here in our back yard!!
    Hugs, Gail and the girls

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  8. Hi Sugar, yes we know about the Tiger Lily and it has always been our favorite lily.
    I am amazed that it can be grown from all the little leaflets on its bulb to growning it's own seeds right on it's stalk. An amazing plant it is!
    Stay tuned for progress photos!
    Gail and the girls

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  9. Sounds like a miracle fur sure. Cant wait to see the pretty flower!!

    wags
    Jazzi

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  10. Hi Jazzi, we do beleive it is a garden miracle and we are so excite to see what comes from this treasure. Stay tuned!!!
    Gail and the girls

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  11. Congrats on baby Lily!!
    I noticed that the two giant mums I brought home last fall (and never planted) have started greening out again! Yay!
    A garden miracle is always welcome!

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  12. What a great story! I am happy for you! Enjoy your garden!

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  13. Hi Raqe, My mums don't look like they will make it this spring. But I am willing to hold out for a surprise appearance!
    Gail

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  14. RAE....SORRY ABOUT THE BAD SPELLING OF YOUR NAME!!!!!! Gail

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  15. Remington, please stop back by for a update on this little miracle!
    Hugs, Gail and the girls

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  16. That is remarkable that one survived, a Miracle indeed. I know it's hard to say for sure at this point but Miracle sure looks a lot like my little tigers that are just peeking out of the ground.

    We'll keep our fingers crossed for you Gail.

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  17. SquirrelQueen..Finding this little bulb that could actually grow while in a burlap bag...filled with sawdust...then submerged in water for several days...is really a gardening miracle!! One out of hundreds of bulbs to grow in those conditions...amazing.

    Keep those fingers crossed for a Tiger Lily to be the survivor.
    Gail

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