Look what is finally in flower in my garden.
I planted this Cornus kousa as a memorial tree for my mum when she died in the autumn of 2007. It was her very favourite tree, and one that she had tried (unsuccessfully) to grow. So it was my first choice when I decided to plant a living memorial for her. I was a bit worried, she had lived in Niagara, which is one of the warmest parts of Eastern Canada to live. Owen Sound is much further north. But they were selling it at my local nursery, so I took a chance.
2008 came nothing, 2009 zilch, 2010 again no flowers, but it was still alive. That was something, wasn’t it.
This spring, I noticed for the very first time, what looked like flower buds. But, now I was living in Barbados, I wasn’t going to be there every weekend to check on my garden. So I e-mailed Carol, and asked her to watch the Cornus and see if it was going to flower.
Then my neighbour sent me this one yesterday. Looks like my mum is looking after me!
In loving memory of Muriel Gallaway Combe, 1940-2007. Love you and miss you mum.
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Laurrie said,
July 4, 2011 @ 6:48 AM
How wonderful to have a friend who can photograph your garden while you are away, and capture this special tree blooming for you.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:45 AM
I am very lucky,would hate to have missed its first time.
Robert Webber said,
July 4, 2011 @ 8:09 AM
Aaagh so pleased it hjas flowered for you and her!
Best
R
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:46 AM
Thanks Robert, me too!
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
July 4, 2011 @ 10:07 AM
A living tribute is always so meaningful, I am glad the Cornus has settled and is blooming for you.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:47 AM
When I worked at the flower shops, and it was garden season, I would always try to talk people into a living memorial.
debsgarden said,
July 4, 2011 @ 11:59 AM
It is a fitting tribute. I am glad it is blooming! Dogwoods always take a while to bloom. I like living memorials. My mom, named AnnaBelle, also passed away in 2007. I planted Annabelle hydrangeas in her memory.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:49 AM
It is such a lovely tribute. Sorry to hear about your mum.
Marguerite said,
July 4, 2011 @ 2:13 PM
Such beautiful flowers. Sorry to hear you couldn’t see them in person but how wonderful that friends are looking out for you and making sure that you see them virtually.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:49 AM
Virtual, the next best thing to being there, lol.
Jean said,
July 4, 2011 @ 5:04 PM
I’m so glad that your patience has been rewarded; it’s wonderful to see those flowers blooming in your mother’s memory. -Jean
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:51 AM
Thanks Jean, I am happy that it finally happened.
Barbara H. said,
July 4, 2011 @ 5:08 PM
I know you would rather see it in person, but to me it’s almost like your mother’s spirit is saying, “Yes, I’m here – looking after the garden for you, dear Deborah”. What a nice gift your neighbor gave you.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:52 AM
I wish she would get busy weeding then, lol. I know she is looking after both me and my garden for me, busy, busy.
Greggo said,
July 4, 2011 @ 6:48 PM
nice memorial
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:53 AM
Thanks, I love my tree.
teza said,
July 4, 2011 @ 7:13 PM
D:
Exquisite memorial tree for your Mum! C. kousa is without a doubt one of the most beautiful flowering trees. I have two C. kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’
that I am keeping a very close eye on at the nursery. If they do not sell this season, I know where one is going to end up…..
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:53 AM
Hmmm, love those. I so want to make a visit to the nursery, and load up…
Cindy said,
July 4, 2011 @ 8:19 PM
Beautiful!
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:54 AM
Thanks Cindy, cornus are such lovely trees.
Pauline Mulligan said,
July 5, 2011 @ 1:52 AM
What a lovely memorial for your Mum, and what a super neighbour you have ,to send you the photo. Mums are so special aren’t they, I have a small area in my garden where I have her favourite flowers by a carving that I did when she died, so I feel that she is still with me when I am gardening.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:55 AM
I was very glad that we had bought Kilbourne Grove and she was able to spend some time there before she died. Now I can feel here all over the place, (which is a wonderful feeling).
lynne said,
July 5, 2011 @ 7:23 PM
Trees make the best memorials, I think, and the cornus is truly a fitting memorial for your mother.
I associate lilacs with my grandfather, and even though I am a renter, I have a compulsion to plant a lilac bush at each home I live in. I have such wonderful memories of him, and every time I look at the bush, it brings those memories to mind.
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:56 AM
I do the same with snowdrops for my grandmother. I hope the new owners/tenants appreciate our thoughtfullness.
gippslandgardener said,
July 6, 2011 @ 3:51 AM
I think planting a favourite tree is a truly lovely memorial and this one is such a beauty!
kilbournegrove said,
July 6, 2011 @ 6:57 AM
Thanks Heidi, I love it.
Curbstone Valley Farm said,
July 6, 2011 @ 4:30 PM
Living tributes like this beautiful tree really make the garden truly special. I’m so happy it bloomed for you, and for her. I only wish you could have been there to see it person. Perhaps next year?
kilbournegrove said,
July 28, 2011 @ 7:21 AM
I hope it flowers annually now, and I better stay longer in Canada next year, lol.