Dear Constant Reader,
You know I enjoy gardening. I grow herbs and vegetables and fruit and wild flowers in a rather laissez-faire fashion. You also know I am a member of the Slightly Sinister Secret Society. Periodically we get odd little extras, called Wildcards.
In March I received a mailing from The Slightly Sinister Botanical Supply Co. with these materials with which to participate in Project Veilroot.
I carefully opened the packet of seeds and read the experiment’s instructions carefully. There was still a danger of frost at that point, so I started the seeds indoors, hoping the cats would be merciful to them. To my great surprise, all four seeds sprouted about a week after I planted them.
I tended them in pots until I thought it was finally safe to plant them outdoors.
To plant them, I chose a location well away from my regular gardens… just in case.
The four specimens grew nicely, although one disappeared and then another. I believe it was our resident bunny, who is too cute to blame.
Eventually I noticed the taller of the two surviving specimens (Alpha) appeared to be budding — or planning to release an alien creature.
I watched it carefully for days, until…
Isn’t it glorious!
As of this writing, that initial bloom has faded, but several more appeared on Specimen Alpha and then Beta had one of its own.
It’s so different! I wish Gamma and Delta has survived so I could have more data points.
This may be my favorite of all the Wildcards — and we’ve had some good ones over the years.
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Oh, The Glamourous Life! 