My very own Bird of Paradise flower

"Wait til next year"! Isn't that the motto for all avid gardeners! Is there research about the average life span of gardeners? It is a fact that we gardeners are keenly aware of the need to take care of ourselves, we must endure, we must live to see another spring.

Seven years ago I vacationed in Maui. The trip included a visit to a beautiful botanical garden. The plants were amazing tropical wonders that I could only dream of growing in my zone 5 garden. However, I am the eternal optimist when it comes tropical plant collecting; I purchased Bird of Paradise seeds. Back in Michigan I planted the seeds and marveled at the two beautiful strong plants that emerged. Each fall I hauled the potted plants to my basement to overwinter. The two Bird of Paradise plants grew stronger each year but did not flower. That is, until this year. I could hardly believe it, the stalk that was shooting up contained a flower and not another leaf. It has been well worth the seven year wait to watch this intricate and beautiful Bird of Paradise flower bloom in my very own backyard.