CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 5 EDITOR'S CORNER Flowers have the powers of persuasion BY BOBBY PARKER Bobby Parker is editor of CityView. Contact him at bparker@cityviewnc.com. Bobby I could hear them calling my name from the corners of the garden center and down the rows that seemed to go on forever. "Remember me?" one said, waving a leafy limb in my direction. "I'm Vinca. You loved me last year when I was in full bloom on the back deck. So many compliments from the neighbors." How could I forget? Your coloring is different, but I'm OK with that. Diversity is a good thing. "Psssssttt!" came a whisper from Lantana to the right. "You overlooked me last year, but I'm sure that was a mistake. Just give me another chance; you won't be disappointed." Yes, we've had a grow-or-no relationship for so many years. "Well, hello there," said Calibrachoa. "You come here oen? I don't think we've met, but I'm sure we'd be great friends." at's what they all say when you're shopping for plants year aer year. Some of them deliver; some of them do not. It's got to be my fault. I never pay enough attention as the heat of summer settles in, those buds begin to droop, and the comfort of air- conditioning becomes too much to resist. It's usually springtime when I'm first lured in by the nurseries, then usually entrapped by that late frost that lies in waiting. But this year, because of this and that and the other of life's complications, April showers brought me June flowers, and hopefully more in July. Part of the reason you move into a townhome is that you pay an HOA fee to have someone else take care of the yard. But then you have that front courtyard and that back deck, and you think, "I've got this," then go out and buy close to the same number of plants you used to buy for a 4-acre lawn. I'm just a flower lover who can't say no. at's why only steps from my front and back doors right now are a palette-load or three of unplanted plants waiting until I get Hauling home plants from the garden center is the easy part; getting them in the ground or planters is not. Photo by Bobby Parker around to it. ey've been very patient. Even the impatiens. e rain this year has helped and saved me money on the water bill. But it's also given me another excuse to avoid going out and getting dirt under my fingernails. e cashier at Pate's was amazed that we got two pull-carts plus of plants in the trunk, the back seat and surrounding the passenger's feet. All that and those fresh veggies, meats and sweets we bought at the Pate's food market. Made the rounds at Bell's and Lowe's as well. I didn't want to miss anything. Sunflowers and gallardia are new to me this year. I tend to stick with old favorites like wave petunias and coleus. Try as I might, I've never been able to kill a coleus. ey are my champions. I suspect the blooms that eventually get planted will last through September and most of October, given our mild autumns of late. And that will lead me to a much smaller-scale variety for the courtyard and deck come fall planting time. But I don't tend to think that far ahead on much. For now, mum's the word. In this issue: You can tell in Hank Parfitt's voice how excited he is about the 2025 celebration of the bicentennial of Lafayette's tour. So is Rebecca Russell, a military spouse who loves dressing in historical style and helping others do the same. Jami McLaughlin tells Rebecca's story beginning on Page 30. Retired Army couple Nate and Amanda Crew turn their passion for gardening to partnering with a local nonprofit to build a community orchard. Gary Mangum has their story on Page 16.

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