the first lotus bloom: old roots, new joys in my backyard
I still remember my grandmother’s pond, tucked behind her house in rural Michigan, where lotuses floated quietly every summer. Back then, tending to those flowers was a family ritual, passed down like a secret recipe. Now, decades later, I’ve coaxed my very first lotus to bloom in my own suburban backyard. She’s stunning—delicate petals opening to the morning sun, a gentle reminder of simpler times.
But here’s the thing: growing lotuses today isn’t what it used to be. My neighbors raise their eyebrows at my little water garden, worried it’ll attract mosquitoes or clash with our HOA’s tidy lawn rules. Some say native wildflowers are better for the environment, while others miss the classic look of a well-manicured yard. I find myself caught between honoring tradition and adapting to new ideas about what a garden should be.
Our Midwest climate isn’t always kind—late frosts, sudden heatwaves—but seeing that lotus bloom, I feel a connection to both my past and my community. Maybe it’s time we talk about what we want our gardens to say about us. Are we preserving memories, or making space for change? I’d love to hear your stories—have you ever clashed with neighbors or family over your garden choices?
#lotusmemories #gardenconflict #midwestgardening #Gardening
