Anyone who has been to my house has seen a rather large plant in my family room. I rescued this umbrella plant from the trash can of my boss in 1996. He was packing up his office, and the plant was almost dead, so he was going to chuck it. I was still in a stage of life when I thought I could grow things, so I took it from him. My boss’s name was Tom, so I named the plant Tom.
As it turns out, I killed all the plants in my life and finally gave up my dreams of being a gardener. However, Tom kept growing. I would forget to water him, and he would grow. I’d ignore him, and he would grow. Twenty-six years later, he is still growing. Lucky for Tom, my hubby does water him when needed. Otherwise, Tom just sits in the window and grows.
I met another plant with a name at a nice, clean, and busy laundromat in Bozeman. I probably would not have noticed the plant I was sitting next to if there had not been a sign above it. I read signs when I see them, and this one I found charming.
The plant’s name is Lillian. That is a wonderful name for a peace lily. Since the plant looks rather healthy, I think the signs must work.
I once had a Stetsonia coryne cactus that I bought in Jerome, Arizona, so I named it Jerome Stetson (yes, I killed it.) I had several spider plants with names, but I don’t remember them (yep, all dead.) I grew a redwood seedling in college and planted it in the forest. It had a name, too, and I wish I could remember what it was. (As far as I know, I didn’t kill that one.)
Naming plants makes them more special. I know better than to try and grow a plant, but if I ever get a yen (please talk me out of it), I would definitely name it.
Do you name your plants? Let me know if you do and what the name is. Tom and Lillian need more friends.