"Appleseed's the name m'aam .... Johnny Appleseed"

This time of year is absolutely stunning as you drive Highway 103 in Nova Scotia. The normally grassy area alongside every exit ramp is a riot of the rich mostly blue/purple lupines. Every year, T & I "ooohh" and "ahhh" as we travel, trying to judge which exit gives the best show -- our exit always loses, largely because not a single lupine grows on any highway exit in our community! Very disappointing!



About 2 years ago, in the Fall, T and I decided to go on a secret mission -- we were going to try to get lupines growing at one of our exits. We snuck out, armed with about 10 pkgs. of lupine seeds, little shovels, rakes and trowels, and proceeded to dig small holes for the seeds. Cars would come along, and we would look innocent, like we were just walking along the road (carrying garden tools -- eh, I've seen weirder). We left with the glee and excited anticipation of children waiting for a batch of warm cookies to come out of the oven.



The next Spring, we waited and watched. And waited. And watched. Lupines came and went, but still nothing at our exit. Our mission had failed. Lupines won't grow where they are loved .. there needs to be a bit of contempt for them to thrive. they delight in growing were they are unwanted ... you should see the strong and mighty lupines pushing up between the cracks in my patio blocks ... rogues from my neighbors garden, escaping to the hope of a new life in my yard (go away!).


Just the other day, I was telling some of the Knitterpudlians about our little adventure. I relived my disappointment when we were travelling to the WWKIP event in Mahone Bay, passing at least 3 or 4 exits with primo lupine displays.


When I got home, that very nite, T asked me to come with him for a drive, which happens a lot. We turned up toward the highway . He pointed. A single plant, in a colour not common on side of the road -- a colour that often comes in seed packages. (you can click to embiggen)












Two years after the fact, we are Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Appleseed. Amen.