After several months of hibernation my purple shamrock is growing again, in full speed, as if catching up for lost time. At the end of every fall, every leaf and stem would wilt. Then around daylight saving time I would start watering it, watering a pot of dried dirt, believing that the bulb underneath the soil, the source of life that I can’t see, is still alive and will sprout again. And it does, every spring for the past three years.
On Monday I found the young leaves just beginning to take shape and open up.
Today the leaves are completely opened. Their colours much more saturated and they’re standing tall.
Well, their stems are also very gangly. I will need to add some new soil and fertilizer. You can probably tell I’m not a very good gardener.
The purple shamrock is called a shamrock because it looks like a shamrock. But, of course, it’s not a shamrock. The species is called Oxalis Triangularis, and their open leaves close up at night like little umbrellas.
Legend has it that a pot of gold can be found at the end of the rainbow. Well, in my house today I found a potted plant returned from the dead at the end of a long winter. The promise of spring and regrowth, even though it appears to be all ruined. That brings me hope.
I hope you find your own rainbow and pot of gold today. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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