I like flowers of all kinds; wildflowers, tame flowers, flowers with a tendency to do their own thing. And I like flower surprises; those blooms that pop up here and there where no one planted them. I have a theory about that. I admit it is a whimsical theory and probably borne of a wild imagination but it’s a nice flight of fancy. We all know about John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed, who roamed the countryside with his bucket of seeds, planting apple trees. So why couldn’t there be a Miss Hollyhock, flitting from yard to yard with her basket of flower seeds, planting them where none have grown before?
Miss Hollyhock, as I imagine her, is a tiny, gray-haired sprite who is invisible to all but the most discerning eye and she has the ability to travel long distances in a single bound. In her basket she carries a variety of seeds; sunflowers, daisies, Queen Anne’s Lace, and hollyhocks. She probably smiles as she plants those seeds, thinking of the surprise on the faces of those who one day will notice a stalk of blooms in the most unusual place.
She has been to my yard more than once. One year she planted lovely sunflowers which grew and blossomed and were a bright addition. No matter that I had to mow around them, that was little enough effort for a free bouquet. And then of course, she plants lots and lots of hollyhocks. They must be her favorite flower. This year some beautiful hot pink hollyhocks with ruffly blossoms have surprised me by the deck. A friend of mine says she thinks she may remember giving me the seeds one year. But although that’s very nice, it’s a lot more fun to imagine Miss Hollyhock dropped them when the moon was full and everyone was sleeping. You might catch a glimpse of her if you glance out the window on a sleepless night. Or not. She must be quite shy; a real recluse but one thing she and I have in common: we like flowers and we delight in those uninvited but welcome blooms that spring up where no flower has bloomed before.
Those are some beautiful blossoms.