Sometimes the story behind a special event is what makes the event so special.

Yesterday the first bud on my new Hollyhocks (lat. alcea rosea) came out. It is black as a winter night, the petals soft as velvet.  I was stunned by the beauty of it.

And it is worth so much more to me because of the story behind. A couple of years ago I stood talking to the man who comes every three months with his big truck to empty our sewer system. We usually have a long chat about gardening experiences, he knows so much about gardening! Anyway, this time I had this jar of my special marmelade that I wanted to give him. And when I did, he told me he had just got some nice stems from black Hollyhock plants from a customer, and asked if I wanted to try  to cultivate some seeds next season. It was autumn and I saved them carefully. Next season I did not succeed in precultivating the Hollyhock seeds. So this year was the first time I managed to bring them to life.

The seeds were put into soil on the 25th of February, precultivated in my greenhouse with extra light and warmth – and now, on the 10th of July the first bud came out. I smile when I tell you! Really, I will try to get the message to the sewer man, through the community somehow,  I am sure he would love to hear about it!