Courtesy photo/Colette Inman Bauer

This photo of Colette Inman Bauer's Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus, was taken last October. She purchased this particular plant in remembrance of her sister-in-law, Sharon Bauer Birney. The beautiful white bracts of the Pacific Dogwood surround the true flower. This Dogwood is native to the Tehama County area and can be found in abundance in the surrounding mountains.

Courtesy photo/Colette Inman Bauer

This photo of Colette Inman Bauer's Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus, was taken last October. She purchased this particular plant in remembrance of her sister-in-law, Sharon Bauer Birney. The beautiful white bracts of the Pacific Dogwood surround the true flower. This Dogwood is native to the Tehama County area and can be found in abundance in the surrounding mountains.

Several years ago my husband’s cousins Jon and Barbara, dropped by on their way back to Ashland. They not only stopped to visit, but also came bearing a gift, the gift of a Margaret–Merrill Rose. This tea rose has abundant and beautiful white blossoms with a very agreeable delicate fragrance. But it was not the rose that was so important - it was the memories that came attached.

My Mother-in-law’s name was Margaret and my father-in-law was Merrill. What a serendipitous gift. The discussions that followed were heartwarming and this gorgeous rose is now in full bloom. We keep John and Barbara apprised of its progress even sending an occasional picture just to let them know how grateful we are for such a thoughtful remembrance.

My friend Cathy has a memorial garden. It is lovely and she tends it with love. I on the other hand have many plants which serve as remembrances of friends and family, some who are here and some who are gone.

One of these special plants is the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus, Malvaceae). We bought the Rose of Sharon as a remembrance of my husband’s sister, Sharon Bauer Birney. When she was a child, Sharon was dubbed Rose of Sharon by our neighbor, George Pedersen. She lived up to the name by being vivacious, enthusiastic, charming, and capable with a voracious appetite for life.

Sharon was also very intelligent graduating from RBHS in 1957 as valedictorian. She graduated from UC Davis with a double major in French and English and wouldn’t you know it, she earned her living writing computer programs.

Shr died in 1994 of complications from breast cancer. I tell you all this so you understand why the Rose of Sharon is so special to us.

Rose of Sharon is a deciduous shrub which dies back to the ground every winter and returns in the spring. Ours is just peeking out of the ground now. It is native to Asia and can be trained to a single trunk or espaliered. The blooms are about three inches across and can be purchased in many vivid colors such as magenta, blue, yellow, and purple. Ours is white with a maroon center. Rose of Sharon blooms from midsummer until fall and requires regular watering and full sun.

Rose of Sharon does not like the wind but thrives in a sheltered spot. When purchasing this plant be sure to pay careful attention to the zone. There are many varieties but just a few are adapted to zones 8 and 9.

Since each of us have our own special memories, we choose different plants for various reasons. Many times I find myself drawn to plants which I associate with friends and family both past and present. Think carefully when choosing your plants and pick those that are meaningful to you and you will never be disappointed in your selections.

The Tehama District Fair and the Red Bluff Garden Club work together to sponsor a NGC Flower Show in the Floriculture building at the fair April 28-May 1. Please stop by and see the displays of plants, cut flowers, arboreal branches, dried and fresh designs, table settings, botanical arts, and fairy gardens. New this year are outdoor combination plantings designed in wheelbarrows, wagons, and wine barrels. We are excited for these artistic outlets for showcasing one’s creativity!

The Red Bluff Garden Club Inc. is a member of the Cascade District Garden Club, California Garden Clubs, Inc.; Pacific Region Garden Clubs, and National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Clear skies. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Clear skies. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

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