The Mouse in the Delphiniums...a true-tale.

If you look closely you can spy a rogue Fireweed pretending to be a Delphinium! I must admit, I used to grow only flowers that were edible or medicinal and it was a very rare few (like the blue Himalayan Poppy) that I grew for the pure beauty of it. But I've fallen in love with these 'Pacific Giant' Delphiniums that grew at Jewell Gardens ~ planted by Charlotte Jewell 25+ years ago.

Found this little gem of information from the FTD website (they actually have a lot of interesting info on flowers!): "According to Greek mythology the delphinium originated from the blood of the Greek god Aias (also known as Ajax), a Trojan war hero who was killed during combat. As the flowers blossomed from his blood, its petals became inscribed with the letters “Ai” which means alas in Greek." Continually, "Delphiniums symbolize cheerfulness and goodwill, as well as a protective plant. Delphiniums are used to communicate encouragement and joy, as well as remembering loved ones who have passed. Delphiniums are also the official birth flower for July."

The bees absolutely love Delphinium flowers and it's easy to get lost in the intricacy of the blooms. ‘Pacific Giant’ Round Table Mix, Sir Galahad and the ones on the left I believe are of the 'Pacific Giant' Guardian series, Guardian Lavender. This sweet space is dramatically different now ~ but I’ve enjoyed sharing the stories of Jewell Gardens ~ lots of lessons, like this:

The Mouse in the Delphiniums

It was the 4th of July.  Historically a day off for much of the Jewell Garden crew.  But it was warm that year of 2019 and so I went in early to give the garden a bit of a drink before parade watching and participating in Skagway’s small town festivities. 

As I was moving hoses, I happened to hear something jangling about.  I peered around the flowering Delphiniums and saw a wee mouse jumping around with a mouse-trap attached to its leg.  Oh dear.  Not a favorite.  I used to be quite terrified of mice.  Screeching, jumping-up-onto-kitchen-counter, kind of antics.  Fortunately, I was over such squeamishness by that point…but still, little guy was not dead and there was no one else nearby to deal with it.   

Climbing onto the rock wall, I assessed the situation.  Well, I didn’t have gloves handy so not doing a release.  (Also, it was right by the dining area, and there was a reason we had set the mouse traps.   We couldn’t be having mice in the kitchen when we were running restaurant…).

So, the mouse must die.  

But dang it.  I didn’t really want to have to do this…ugh.  

I gathered up the gumption.

Found a decent sized rock.  Held it above the terrified mouse…and forcefully threw that stone down. 

It was a solid thwack.

The mouse trap flew up.

And the mouse, released by God, raced away under the deck.

I kid you not.