“Patience”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
I have to learn patience. Whenever I buy a new plant, many times I have unrealistic expectations. I always expect plants to grow faster and bigger than is really possible. Perennials need time to get established, but I have a hard time accepting that fact.
If I buy a plant, I want it to flower the first year. I have such a hard time waiting for plants to mature. Case in point, two years ago I purchased an Queen’s Wreath (Petrea volubilis) vine on the recommendation of a nursery worker. He said when it bloomed, it was gorgeous. Since he had steered me to other wonderful plants, I bought this vine. I knew that it was too late for the vine to bloom that year, but surely it would bloom the next year. No such luck. Nice foliage, but no flowers. How disappointing!
This year, however, the first blooms have appeared. It seems that this vine only needed a little time. While not many blooms are appearing, at least I know what they look like and what to expect as it grows larger.
Many plants that I have been disappointed with have finally grown big enough to make a nice showing now when they bloom. I now know that the same is going to happen with the Queen’s Wreath. It is not the plants fault that I have been disappointed, it is my own impatience – something I need to work on.
Always Growing 
Jeannie said,
April 21, 2010 at 7:02 pm
It looks like it was worth the wait! Very exotic.
nancybond said,
April 22, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Indeed, I’d say it was worth the wait. One thing the garden surely teaches us in patience, and you know the old adage about what comes to those who wait… 😉
garden mary said,
April 23, 2010 at 5:07 am
I grow this vine and it is gorgeous when it blooms. You won’t be disappointed.