<p>So, this year&#39;s Spring garden left a lot to be desired -- no <a href="http://diary.blogs.com/the_diary_of_a_reluctant_/2008/05/florimania.html">special post went up</a> because I was too damned sick with allergies and whatnot to actually enjoy the flowers. So here, all you get is a shot of some potted gardenias I&#39;ve plopped next to the garage:</p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diary/3595389995/" title="DSC_0094 by R. S. M., on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0094" class="at-xid-6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce205970b" height="334" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce205970b-pi.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p>We&#39;re pretty much overcome with weeds at this point, and since I have a very difficult time bending over to reach them I&#39;ve told myself I&#39;m pretty much over the glamour of gardening.&#0160; But then I noticed a curious thing:</p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diary/3595389159/" title="DSC_0085 by R. S. M., on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0085" class="at-xid-6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce20f970b" height="334" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce20f970b-pi.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p>My peonies! They&#39;re coming to life!</p><p>I planted this peony bush two years ago, and it has never flowered. In fact, last summer it &quot;died&quot; because I never watered it. I read somewhere that it takes up to five years for a peony to take root, and since they&#39;re my favorite flowers I was willing to take the chance.&#0160; So imagine my surprise to see the emerging blooms on my plucky little shrub. I&#39;m not going to lie, I was excited.</p><p>The next day, I was rewarded with this:</p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diary/3596196444/" title="DSC_0087 by R. S. M., on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0087" class="at-xid-6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce21a970b" height="334" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce21a970b-pi.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p>I can&#39;t believe I planted this thing. I watered it (sometimes), and let&#39;s face it, neglected it, for two years -- and finally, FINALLY, my patience is being rewarded. </p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diary/3595390369/" title="DSC_0097 by R. S. M., on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0097" class="at-xid-6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce226970b" height="334" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce226970b-pi.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p>I love peonies, and not only because their <a href="http://diary.blogs.com/the_diary_of_a_reluctant_/2007/07/peonies-envy.html">name lends itself to bad puns</a>.&#0160; I love how big and extravagant they are, I love their fragrance, I love them in centerpieces, and I love that they only bloom in June. They&#39;re the perfect middle-of-the-year pick-me up.</p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diary/3596197930/" title="DSC_0100 by R. S. M., on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0100" class="at-xid-6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce22d970b" height="334" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/6a00d8341db04e53ef0120a93ce22d970b-pi.jpg" width="500" /></a></p>
