When Plants Thrive (Despite Me)

It's been so hot and so dry that my desire to save every plant that needs saving has worn out, like the waistband of my favorite pajama pants worn throughout my pregnancy. I'm all about self-preservation at this point. I work outside all day so when I get home…get me inside and into a bathtub filled with cool water. My plants need to fend for themselves until the sun goes down, the temp drops by 20 degrees and I have a cold beverage in my hand.

When I get out there (by the glow of the motion-activated security lights on the side of the garage) my Proven Winners plants are kicking hot swampy butt, despite me.

Seriously, I have plants where the hose doesn't reach and they look lovely. I have 2 metal pots full of Lo & Behold^® Ice Chip Buddleia (available 2013) that have gotten NOTHING from me. All they've had in the way of water is rain, and that has been a scare commodity. And there's a container brimming full of Senorita Rosalita^™ Cleome that I can only hit with the hose with a fine mist (when I put my thumb over the hose) and it's growing strong…like it's oblivious that it's living in hell. Supertunia^® Sangria Charm Petunia keeps blooming it's fool head off even though I'm pretty sure it could come up with a laundry list of reasons not to. ColorBlaze^® Marooned Coleus (available 2013) sits literally marooned, in a hot metal wheelbarrow on a hot asphalt driveway in the harshest part of the day. It’s been over 2 months without nearly any care or water, and still looks AH-MAZING.

I'd feel like a loser, but it's too hot to feel anything but.... hot. Having plants that thrive despite me helps my self-esteem. As does this margarita.