Although there is lots blooming outside right now, my attention has been completely stolen by one teeny little plant…. tulipa clusiana ‘Lady Jane’. Lady Jane is a species tulip, often referred to as the candy stripe tulip because when the flower is closed its petals have  a delicate pink edge that when open reveal beautiful a recurved creamy white bloom. Only one of the 50 I planted is open today , the others are just showing their pink backsides.It  is only about 10 inches high and it would be very easy to walk on buy with your eyes glued to the tall and showy hybrid tulips or the drifts of daffodils…but I have been patiently waiting for this one.

You see, I planted Lady Jane last fall right after the passing of my Gram whose given name was Genowefa (Polish) which  was “americanized” to Jane when she was little. I have written about her here before, indeed she was one very special lady.

On any given day you would find her dressed to the nines; dress, stockings, pearls and lipstick, even to just run to the grocery store. She carried a compact with a mirror and powder , and used it for frequent touch ups . She was the epitome of class; polite, well mannered and demure. She was pious, but never judgemental, and always  ready to heap praise upon those whom she encountered . In her eyes everyone was beautiful, skinny, smart, helpful, and any other positive words she could come up with to compliment you. I have never ever heard anyone EVER say anything except that she was the sweetest most wonderful human being ( and it was only in her last years when she was very ill and very lonely that she was ever cross with anyone and even her few moments of impatience were immediately followed by apology after apology and more compliments). Her children(6) and grandchildren (14) idolized and adored her. From her I learned grace, patience, the power of a smile to change the world around you, and , most importantly for my gardening soul, the joy of flowers. This week  she would have celebrated  her 91st birthday….

So, how perfect to have  planted Lady Jane in her memory.