The Little Rose Bush that Could

I have lived in my house for almost six years now. Since it is a townhouse, I am technically not in charge of the plants outside my home. They are in the "common area" and therefore the responsibility of the homeowners association, who has hired a series of gardening companies to do the task.

Just outside my front door are two rather anemic plants. One is a gardenia and the other a rose bush. They planted a bit too close to the house, so the angle of the sun rarely gets past the eaves of the roof to reach the plants. It usually takes them all summer just to produce a bloom or two, at which point the gardeners inevitably whack off all the flowers as part of their periodic "pruning."

Not being very knowledgeable about gardening, and definitely wanting to avoid run-ins with the HOA, I have watched helplessly as these plants, especially the rose bush, remained tiny and flowerless year after year.

Well, this summer, the rose bush has suddenly sprouted. Amazingly, this bush put out a branch much thicker and stronger than the rest. The branch grew straight upward, quickly surpassing the other branches, which hover around 2 feet tall. And then it just kept growing, and growing and growing and growing....

Eventually the branch hit the eaves of the roof, and still kept going, curving over slightly so it could grow along the roof line. And then the fateful day that I had been dreading came pruning day. The current gardening company is not quite as opposed to greenery as the others we have had in the last few years. Nevertheless, the branch did get a trim, bringing it back down to about 4 feet high.

At that point, I thought it was over. An unlikely spurt nipped in the bud. But the plant had other plans. About an inch below the spot where it had been trimmed, a side branch began sprouting. Withing days, the side branch turned upward and just continued on the path straight towards the roof that it was on before pruning day. And now, it has reached the eaves yet again, and is bending and snaking around, still growing several inches a day.

I must admit that I am fascinated with this rose bush! It is almost as if it has just decided, "I am tired of being stunted by lack of sunlight, overzealous gardeners, and every other factor beyond my control. I am just going to find a way to thrive on my own, and nothing will stop me." What an inspiration for me, and anyone else who ever felt that they were living below their potential. We can just follow the rose bush's example and find a way to thrive no matter what!

Above is a photo of my cat,
Bugsy, staring amazed
at the rose bush.