I thought I might take you on a walk through my own garden, because let me tell you something - I needed it today.
In point of fact, I don’t think I would have made it through this marathon of a year if it hadn’t been for this garden that I’ve been cultivating throughout 2024. My approach has changed a lot this year, and I’ve been trying and experimenting with so manynew things. There’s been a lot of learning, and that’s been the best part, actually.
The garden began in early 2021, shortly after we moved in to our house after moving back home to South Bend. This garden started around the same time Botany was also beginning.
In this garden, I see a reflection of the business we’re trying to grow. Something beautifully productive, a little whimsical, experimental, and taking full advantage of every nook and cranny to grow plants that thrive in those locations.
In this garden, I see a reflection of what I hope for so many people, especially you - our neighbors - who we share this community with.
I see a reflection of the type of neighborhoods I hope more of us can live in one day, a day where we embrace every bit of possibility within our control to make the world around us just a little bit better, one patch of soil at a time.
I’ve come to believe that now, more than ever, it is vital for us all to be surrounded and embraced by plants, to be constantly reminded that the “process” of gardening is our ultimate product, and that empowering more people to grow more plants in more places is a worthy mission.
This is the “botanically-infused lifestyle” we set out to foster at the very start of Botany, and thanks to 2024, there’s a few things I think it’s time for me to share about the experience…
1) I feel more grounded than I ever have. To see trees and shrubs that I planted begin to grow and mature, to find their space and take their place among the fast-growing perennials and annuals - this feels like something to acknowledge. Sometimes we don’t always see the impact of our actions and choices for many years to come, and some things are worth waiting and working for. It’s a testament to the value of investing in the places we call home.
2) Balance matters. When I’ve been utterly exhausted and drained, this garden has refueled me, and I don’t have to actively “be gardening” for that to happen. Sometimes, just spending time in the space, walking slowly, taking moments to pause and observe and document (and now, share), are just as meaningful. We, all of us, can work on making gardens a priority and part of the conversation, wherever we are.
3) Growing something with the intention of sharing it ispowerful. Yes, we can and do garden for ourselves and our own interests (my personal obsession is bearded iris), but there’s also an immense power in gardening for others. Other humans, certainly (extra garlic, anyone?) but also, and perhaps even more urgently, insects, birds, fungi, and all other wildlife that could or do call our landscapes home. To watch a myriad of bees dance happily on a carpet of Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) - seriously, one of the most joyful things you can imagine.
Gardens are so much more than just pretty. They’re a profound statement about the type of world we want to live in, the things we value, and how we show up. They rewire our brains for the better, becoming lifelong companions and an eternal source of joy and hope.
Anyway… I hope you enjoy these moments of joy from my garden today. It’s a sincere pleasure to share them with you.
Thanks for reading, plant lovers.
-Ben | Botany Founder & CEO
I think I fall in love with sedges the most in autumn through spring. I almost forget about them over summer, since the bulkier perennials are always covering them up. But as the perennials and shrubs shed their leaves (which are caught and cradled by the sedges), their cheerful little green tufts are like bright little beacons of hope. As cool-season plants, they’re also back in active growth and putting on new leaves daily and will stay green through winter. This is Rosy Sedge, Carex rosea.
Rosy Sedge, Carex rosea, makes the perfect, and I mean perfect green mulch ground cover underneath shrubs and big perennials. Great choice as well if you have shady spaces that won’t support traditional lawn grass. (And yes, we can help with that.) 10/10
Sigh… yes, the garlic is already up. No worries… it’s durable.
This is Sanguisorba ‘Korean Snow’ and if it keeps blooming much longer it might just live up to the second half of its name! This 7-8’ tall trooper (also it’s first year in the garden) has been blooming since early September - well over two months now. And, the fading flowers are aging so gracefully.
I’ve started calling this the “Gradient Hedge” because it utilizes three different columnar juniper blended together, leading the eye along the edge and creating a really interesting color dynamic. This hedge was planted just over a year ago and it’s already done so much growing in 2024. The ultimate intention is that they’ll begin to feed in to our holiday greens workshops in the future. Also great habitat for birds.
The Geum is positively a pungent green, really drawing the eye from across the yard (especially with all of those beautiful brown leaves I’m just “leafing” be).
Thyme and Blue Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium ‘Lucerne’ along the back garden path. The soft greens and textures are really a standout along the rocks.
This is Helianthis orygalis, and it’s been such an impressive and stately plant to grow this year. The flower stalks reached well over 12’ with so many yellow flowers in September, the pollinators lost their minds. Definitely a plant for the back of the border. I wasn’t sure what to expect for autumn, since this its first full season in the garden - and wow, this color!
This hardy, compact thistle has been been blooming since late April (yes, April, not August). Cirsium rivulare ‘Trevor's Blue' is a new selection for me from Issima nursery (if you don’t follow them, oh my gosh, go do it right now). I’ve been growing it for two years now in two different locations, and the long bloom time + sterile seeds and clump-forming habit has really made it a stand out plant. In the background, Festuca mairei, also an Issima find.
The hardy Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia humifusa, growing happily in straight pea gravel next to our concrete steps and sidewalk. Such a champion in a “tough” space.
These violas planted themselves around the iris, a second generation from a few I had growing in this same space this spring. I’ve just been letting them do their thing, no edits. I love the contrast between the broad, blue-green leaves of the iris and the bright little faces of the violas.
Wild Quinine, Parthenium integrifolium, has some of my favorite seed heads.
Tatarian Aster, Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’, is one of my all-time favorite hardy perennials. It typically starts blooming around mid-October, and carries through until at least the end of November. It’s still holding it’s own.
Yes, this Aster deserves two photos, mostly because it’s still blooming, on November 13.
Surprise! Today’s final (and best) moment of joy comes from Melodie, our General Manager, who today rang the bell because she is officially cancer free. Following a diagnosis in August (I remember we went out to the field and picked marigolds that morning after receiving the news), and surgery in September (the week we closed the Shop and did a big makeover? Yeah… that had a lot more to do with giving Mel a big hug and surprise on her return more so than “updating the brand”), today was her very final radiation treatment.
So many people in our immediate community came together to support Mel along this journey, including our amazing team, our parents, and our neighbors. I remember at one point Mel shared, “I’m not sure how I feel about this many people caring about my well-being.”
My response feels even more true today.
“This is what community feels like, we’ve all just forgotten.”
It’s time to remember.
Plants remind us we’re connected, while helping us to connect.
We love you, Mel. YOU DID IT!
P.S. In case you’re wondering, I asked Mel’s permission before including her story in my message today, and she has reviewed and approved this text
Our gardens are so much more than the sum of their plants. I really hope we’ll continue to see them that way and talk about them that way in the months ahead. I hope we can find ways to help more people have meaningful experiences with plants. I hope we continue to explore creative ways to empower more people to grow more plants in more places, because everyone deserves access to this.
My realization a few days ago is that if I had to “categorize” 2024 - give it a theme - what would it be?
Exhaustion.
Everyone I know is exhausted. That’s why I think we need to keep talking about burnout and balance, energy and intention, and making the time to recharge ourselves, because a constant break-neck pace simply isn’t sustainable. We can’t grow if we don’t also rest.
Gardens remind us to breath. To smile. To feel hopeful. To connect. To celebrate. To laugh, ponder, wonder, and dream.
Gardens have super powers. And they need and deserve to be shared, generously.