okra flowers: beauty in grandma’s backyard or just another weed?

When I was a child, my grandmother’s garden was a patchwork of colors and scents, but nothing surprised me more than the delicate, creamy blooms of her okra plants. She’d always say, “These flowers are prettier than half the roses in town.” I remember neighbors stopping by, some admiring, others shaking their heads—okra was food, not a flower bed centerpiece. Now, in our fast-paced suburban neighborhoods, I see fewer okra plants and more manicured lawns. Some folks say okra’s too old-fashioned, too messy for a modern garden. But every summer, when I plant okra by my porch, I’m reminded of those gentle blooms—soft yellow petals with a deep burgundy heart, opening in the morning sun, attracting bees and butterflies. There’s a quiet debate in our community: Should we stick to native wildflowers for pollinators, or is it okay to grow what our families have always loved? Some say okra doesn’t belong in a front yard, that it’s not ‘aesthetic’ enough for HOA standards. Others, like me, believe that every garden should reflect its gardener’s story, not just the latest trend. With climate change bringing hotter, drier summers to North America, okra thrives where other plants struggle. But is it nostalgia or practicality that keeps us planting it? I’d love to hear—do you see okra as a symbol of family tradition, or just another weed in the garden? #okragarden #familytradition #gardenconflict #Gardening