Gladiola, Manhattan
Good morning, my friends. Today, I would like to share a story about my dear friend Norman and ‘his’ 250 gladiolas. So find your coffee/tea. I believe this post will make you smile and who knows ~ you just may become inspired to plant gladiolas.
Norman was a retired Navy Commander. I always had a hard time imagining him in that role, as he was a kind, gentle and happy soul. Not, that Navy Commanders don’t possess these qualities. However, I think, their position in the military requires a completely different demeanor. Norman always wore a huge smile and perhaps his gentle way is what made him such a great teacher. Yes, after his military retirement, his second career was teaching. He was a special education teacher at the high school where my husband taught.
Norman became a wonderful friend to my husband and me. Always offering to help us with any ongoing project we may have undertaken, showing up on our doorstep when my mom had surgery and I was unable to travel due to a terrible snow storm, and always sharing the goodness from his garden in the form of something delicious or something gorgeous. Norman taught me a great deal about gardening and became one of my all-time best friends.
“Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than emperors.” ~ Mary Cantwell
One early June day, Norman arrived at our home carrying a rather large box. I poured him his usual large glass of tea and we proceeded to the rockers on the back porch, his favorite spot. He didn’t seem to be his jovial self this particular day. But after a bit of conversation, he said, “Sandra, do you like gladiolas?” When I responded with a ‘yes’, little did I know what was in store for me. Norman went on to explain he was having knee surgery and gardening would be off limits for him the remainder of the summer. Then he reached over and picked up the large box and shared the contents ~ 250 gladiola corms.
Probably you are wondering, “Why would anyone order 250 gladiolas?” Well, you see, Norman had a large farm and had great visions of establishing a ‘come and cut’ area for a wide variety of beautiful blooms. He had ordered the gladiolas before his knee took a downward turn and not wanting the corms to become soft and rot, he was bringing them to me with hopes I would plant them. Then in the fall, he planned for us to dig and share the corms.
Gladiola, My Love
“Gardeners are some of the loveliest people, I think it comes from being a nurturer, and the nature of patience and acceptance you plant things never knowing exactly how they’ll turn out, it’s kind of a metaphor for life.” ~ Rachel Ashwell
When Norman left that day, Mike became busy with his trusty and well used Troy-Built rototiller, tilling space for 250 gladiolas. And, I was behind him shaping the rows. During the next few days, I managed to plant all of the gladiolas, having no idea of the beauty I would soon see.
Norman’s surgery went well and as the weeks passed, the gladiolas began to peak through the soil. Under the boiling Virginia sun, our garden quickly became a vast array of color and blooms. I cut gladiolas by the buckets, filled our home, took them to work, and gave them to everyone I knew. And, of course, I took them to Norman. How wonderful it was to see his huge smile again. To say he was thrilled was a total understatement.
Gladiola, Andrews
“The blossoms cannot tell what becomes of its fragrance; and no man can tell what becomes of his influence.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Gladiola, Jester Gold
I never see a gladiola without thinking of my dear friend. Norman not only taught me so much about gardening, but by his example, he taught me a great deal about friendship. Sadly, my friend passed away shortly before we returned to West Virginia. I miss him to this day and can still hear his laughter and see his huge smile. Truly, life hands us gifts as we go along. I will always be grateful for the gift of knowing Norman, our friendship, and the influence he had on my life.
A few weeks ago we planted several of the brilliant red Manhattan Gladiolas, and they are on their way up. I will smile and think of my friend when they bloom. And, perhaps after reading this, you have become inspired to plant a few as well. Norman would like that.
“Enduring friendship is a precious perennial that refuses to surrender to the elements. Deep roots of devotion provide beauty and hope throughout life’s darkest seasons. Cherish such blossoms, for their fragrance, is rare.” ~ Greta Crank
Wishing you a day filled with beauty and joy.
Au Revoir,
Sandra
Authors Notes: A special thanks to my friend, Greta Crank, for graciously allowing me to use her quote.
The Gladiola symbolizes honor and remembrance, strength of character, faithfulness, sincerity, and integrity.
Images: Longfield Gardens
Sandra, I was so thrilled to open up your email this morning and see a post on glads. Your beautiful story of Norman warmed my heart, he truly made the world a better place. I can only imagine seeing the sea of those gorgeous blooms. I planted “My Love” in my cutting garden this year and they do look just like little swords. The images and quotes are so perfect and I love Greta’s quote. I just returned from the garden taking in the amazing fragrance of the daisy gardenias. The first of my day lilies are blooming. Oh, my I could go on and on. Thank you for sharing your gifts this morning. Have a most wonderful,day!
Dear, Pam. Thank you. Norman was a special soul. It is amazing how much further along your garden is than ours. We still resemble spring here, however, the peony blooms did not like our 88-degree weather last week.
You, dear friend, are a treasure. I appreciate more than you can imagine, your visits and kind words. Wishing you a wonderful day and beautiful garden moments.❤
What a wonderful story!
Thanks, Penny.
How greatly I understand and love this blog post, Sandra. We are in the middle of counter-offering on a cottage-style older home in town. The house, itself, is wonderful. Sadly, it has one single azalea bush as landscaping. I had a Realtor friend swing by this weekend to see if she thought our home “showed-well”. When outside, I showed her my flowerbeds and told her the stories behind some of my plants. So many of my flowers represent the Normans in my life: Memories of my mother’s floral birthday gifts–always a surprise and shipped to my door; My sister’s planting advice and constant encouragement; Gleanings, time and again, from the yard of a sweet and generous green thumb named Doris; Outings to nurseries or blossom-filled fields with my closest friend. When we bought this house it was newly built and had not a single flower in our half-acre yard. The last thirteen years have been spent creating rock walls, erecting arbors, and planting…lots and lots of planting. While climbing into her car, my Realtor friend commented that I was attached to my flowers. She did not realize that her comment paid tribute to some very dear people who are sewn and rooted deep within my heart. I am thankful for life’s Norman’s. And I am thankful for you, Sandra, for always pointing to the very things that make life so very special. Blessings, dear friend.
Dear, dear Greta – how I love your beautiful comments and you will never know how very much they mean. You would have loved Norman, and he would have loved you in return. Kindred souls, just as you and I are.
I hope if you are able to acquire your cottage home. Will you take some of your treasures with you? I put 40 peonies on the moving van when we left Virginia. This yard was the same as your cottage style home – not even a single daffodil. I quickly corrected that and you will also.
Again, many thanks Greta. Do let me know if you get your home, I would enjoy sharing some of my treasures with you. Blessings to you also, I count you as one of mine. ❤
ps. I also want to thank you again for allowing me to use your quote. I have had many comments as to how beautiful it is.
There’s a sweet poignancy to this post, Sandra. I’m overjoyed at the beautiful story about Norman and those gorgeous gladioli. My, they are quite lovely! I felt a pang to hear that Norman is no longer with us, and I can understand how you must miss this very special individual. The hole is always there, isn’t it?
Thank you for sharing this story with us today.
Brenda xox
Oh, Brenda – so good to see you. Yes, Norman was so very special – a dear man. You are correct – “the hole is always there.” But what I gained from knowing him is what I will treasure always.
Happy spring to you – as I think she has finally arrived in your part of the world.
It was lovely today! Warm enough to not need a sweater or jacket. The bees were out and the birds were singing.
❤❤❤
What a wonderful story of gardening growing the spirit, Sandra! I have transplanted some flowers to my daughter’s new home from my garden, and have plans to take a few more that were passed along to me form generations ago. Those are some beautiful gladiolas. Do they not need to be staked like dahlias, or do they stand well when planted en masse? I can only imagine that sea of beautiful color of all the 250 in bloom!
Rita, thank you for your visit and taking the time to comment. I know minutes are precious to you at this time.
How wonderful that you have moved some of your treasures to your daughters home – they will always be with you and will be so special to your daughter. As far as the gladiolas and their planting – if you plant one here and there, which is very pretty, they will need to be staked. However, as my dear friend Norman taught me – plant them close together and they will support each other. His thinking, I thought, was because in Tidewater Va. – the wind blows 24-7. He also said the same about seeds, plant them thick and do not thin. I have followed his advice here in WV and it proves to be true here as well. No matter the amount you plant, plant them close together.
Thanks again Rita, for your visit. Hope you will soon be settled in your new home.
This is one of the most beautiful and touching posts I’ve ever read. Norman sounds like the most wonderful man and you and your husband sound as wonderful to agree to his plan. What a joy it has brought you — they are such showy, colorful flowers, you had to be in seventh heaven as they began to bloom. My gran planted glads, too, and they are indeed a stunning flower. All the more so with such memories.
Jeanie, happy you enjoyed the post. Norman was a special and wonderful person. Glads are such happy blooms and they seem to evoke special memories in many folks. Enjoy spring, my friend. We are slipping into summer.
Adorable story and wonderful flowers! Such blessing! Hugs!
Many thanks, Maristella. Norman was a true blessing. Lovely day to you, my friend.