"We turn not older in years, but newer every day"- Emily Dickinson

From time to time I am reminded about what makes the "plant biz" so great. Yes, it's being close to nature. Yes, it takes me outdoors and away from the computer. Yes, it's the constant wonder and magic of the plant kingdom each day. And yes, very definitely, it is sharing all that with other plant nerds. The fact is, the best thing about the plant biz is the plant people.

Hard to put into words just exactly what a "plant person" is. Maybe I can say that a plant person has a garden instead of a landscape. He or she may have a favorite plant or group of plants, but unlike the collector, she insists on sharing so that others can enjoy her favorites.

A plant person is eager to pass along information about growing techniques; tell you about her successes AND her failures; ask you about yours. In fact, in more general terms, I guess I could say that plant people share themselves as well as their plants. They'll tell you what they think without an agenda. They'll share whatever they have- plants, advice, encouragement, jokes, love. There's always a positive spin, an implied hope, a look towards the future.


Today, Toni Wright- affectionately known as the "queen" of the Georgia Hosta Society- is 91 years young. She's become a dear friend of ours in her later years, and is truly the epitome of a plant person. She's been gardening for many of those years, and has lots to share about gardening. She's also been sharing herself with others for all that time, and has developed a pretty sharp eye for good plants, good design, and good people. Although I am not young enough to be Toni's granddaughter, she reminds me a lot of my grandmother. She's someone who carries the courage of her convictions always, and has plenty of experience to back them up. She's done the work all her life, and now can show others how it might best be done. And best of all, she does it with a smile.


Joe and I are always eager to stroll thru Toni's garden with her. Joe marvels at her wonderful collection of Japanese maples, and I drool over her carefully selected conifer specimens. There's usually a story or two to go with each plant, and often a moral to the story. We sit like little ones listening to a grownup reading from the book of life. Good stories, and very comfortable.


Happy Birthday, Toni! We will see you again soon.
I have a question for you, and maybe for anyone else reading this today. It's actually a question from Satchel Paige, oldest baseball player ever to play in the major leagues....

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"

I'm gonna bet the plant people will all be younger.