Heritage Album

Do you have any family heirlooms in your garden (besides you)?

I have orange tiger lilies that I brought back one fall after my father's death. They are the same tiger lilies that I remember from my childhood, all the way back to when I was 4 or 5 years old. They bloom every year, late July to early Aug. The hummingbirds love them, & so do I.

Public Comments

1. Yes I do. When my father came to America from Eastern Europe in 1905 he brought along some peppers (Paprikas) that are great in Hungarian stew. When I was growing up and left home about 50 years ago I took some of the seeds with me. I also took some Rhubarb , Garlic, Horseradish ,Jerusalem Artichokes, red and black raspberries. and planted them here. I visited often and would take the plants one at a time. My parents have been dead for almost 40 years now. My children have each established starts from the plants and saved seeds and tubers that the baby in their gardens. I know that when I'm gone they'll still have the family heirloom plants. I also have some old tools. A hand pushed cultivator, hoes, rakes, hand tools and a foot pedal sharpening wheel and Knives my father was a butcher. The grandchildren are now eyeing their coming share. We'll be remembered for another generation through our plants and tools by our off spring
2. I don't think this is a typical family heirloom, but my sweet friend started about 20 Japonica? (gold dust on green leaves). We planted it along our border line between two properties. Some of my gold dust plants from my house in Falls Church, Virginia, is growing in my mother's-in-law house. I will transplant some next year. We have started a tradition of gorgeous red hibiscus plants. It is so spectacular that we are going to plant a cluster of them next spring. BTW, we had tiger lilies at our house in FC, but they faded away. PS Gotcha!
3. my hubby's grandma's surname was Moss.... she grew Sedum Acre and it was passed around thru all the family's gardens, and started being called Granny Moss.... I got a start of it from one of the aunts when we got our house and it's now the premier ground cover in all my gardens... it's gone to friends on line from CA to NH, too.... it's just a nice plant to share....
4. I have some of my late father's favorite lillies, and his prized peonies. It's always a good reminder of him to see them blooming. Thanks for the question. You just caused me to think of him again!