Flower’s name made it hard to resist

Who can resist a plant with the common name of Pigsqueak? Honestly, if the only name on the tag had been the botanical name, Bergenia cordifolia, the plant would still be at the nursery. But thanks to the leaves making a sound when rubbed together and someone thinking it sounded like pigs squeaking, I have a new plant.

I was looking for something to go in a shady spot. I picked up and put down lots of hostas. I considered Solomon’s seal but wasn’t ready to commit to the arching stems. Bleeding hearts reached out but I already have some of those. A toad lily jumped into my arms and wouldn’t let go. It is now growing amongst the alliums under the maple tree.

Then I picked up a plant with rounded, fleshy leaves and faded flowers. The tag said, “buy me, you know you want to.” Actually it said, “Heartleaf Bergenia, Pigsqueak” and won my heart. I put it back as I already had committed to the toad lily. Two weeks later, I bought the Pigsqueak.

I was taken aback when I discovered the plant originated in Russia. Could I be charged with colluding with the Russians? It’s too late now. The plant is scheduled to nestle in the vinca and fading daffodil and tulip foliage this afternoon.

All this is to illustrate that words have power. I couldn’t resist the name of the plant. Yes, it fit my specifications of being able to thrive in the shade but the word sealed the deal.

One of the most powerful words in our language has a mere six letters. That word is, “thanks”. Recently I contacted two family members who are on the fringes of the family. I asked if they wanted any of the many family photographs I had amassed. Both responded that they would welcome the pictures.

I gathered a collection for each of them and put them in the mail. After a week or so I inquired if the pictures had arrived. Both said they had but only one uttered that magic word, “thanks.” Which one do you think I will consider when something else needs to be distributed?

Any time someone asks, “What are those flowers?” it makes me happy. I like knowing that other people also like all the blossoms that pop up here and there. I always feel guilty taking credit for the plants.

All I do is buy the originals, plant them, remove competition by occasionally weeding and on rare occasions, add a little fertilizer. Nature does the rest. Their preprogramming determines their form and bloom time. Birds, wind and evil squirrels move the ensuing seeds to new places. I have nothing to do with the end result. Even so, compliments make me happy.

Words have power. That old nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is dead wrong. Broken bones heal but cruel words stay in our brains forever. They feed our insecurities and erode our self worth.

On the other hand, unexpected compliments can bring joy to our hearts. Once an older guy complimented me by saying he wished he had hair like mine. As someone who thinks her hair never looks good, I was skeptical. Then he took off his hat to reveal a balding head. I laughed and agreed that my hair looked better than his.

Words have power. They can make people laugh or cry, be afraid or feel safe. A simple thanks can inspire future generosity. Words can also give a plant a new home because of a single word written on a tag.