There isn’t much the wild hasn’t completely swallowed here.
Many a project and path have vanished thanks to the thriving ecosystem. What I thought belonged in that space actually did not. Nature tells me different. I listen, and usually let it grow, even if it nudges out a few inches of my path, or blocks a picture perfect view of a garden patch that might benefit from the unplanned companion.
The wildness of my garden got me thinking about how us humans often bloom where we’re not supposed to as well, and how often it’s a matter of perception whether or not we’re considered a nuisance or an unexpected surprise. How we can be a necessity for the ecosystem as a whole, yet still be seen as a pesky, unwanted weed in a place we don’t belong.
Who decides such matters?
I know gardeners sometimes have a hard time even deciding what a weed is, often disagreeing venomously. A garden flower or herbal tea ingredient to some, an invasive nonnative to another. All the while not realizing the bulk of our garden fruits and vegetables are not natives, or a lot of our showy exotic flowers.
One of my favorite “weeds” is the Morning Glory flower (the real one, not white bindweed). Native to North America, yet still seen as an invasive weed to many. The purple, pink, and blue varieties are grown by seed, and just happen to produce plenty to reseed themselves even in colder climates. This flower has no purpose for humans aside from eye candy and is terribly invasive in warm non-native climates. Hummingbirds and bees, however, adore this plant. Is it a benefit or nuisance? It depends on the garden.
We tend to see people in a similar light. We all have a place, a purpose. A proper garden bed to bloom. Yet sometimes we find ourselves as weeds, blooming in an improper zone, upsetting the gardener that had other plans for this space.
We aren't necessarily ugly, or even all that aggressive. Just somehow in the wrong place at the wrong time. A seed that landed unexpectedly in a place it was able to grow. A survivor that thrived. A potential benefit to the ecosystem, if only for a moment before deemed obnoxious.
I know I am often that weed. Many times I find that I don’t belong, or am left to flourish for a moment before ripped out. Sometimes I recognize that I’m in the wrong garden bed, and remove myself, sending out seeds to see what lands and grows again. Just searching for that perfect open space that I can be left to do my important job, whatever that might be for the ecosystem I’ve landed in.
Maybe we’re all weeds; we just need to find the right wild garden we belong.
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