Here is a scenario familiar to every gardener:

I tense with eager anticipation whenever I stroll into my most admired nursery, or any nursery. I am a kid in a toy store with free of price rein to buy anything I want! My gaze darts from plant to plant, looking for my old favorites and for new varieties.

Suddenly there before me I see a daring new color variety or species beckoning to me. My Holy Grail! My entire world shrinks to this one gem of a plant.

And then I initial thinking:

What can I move in my garden so I might squeeze in this plant?

In my mind I shift established perennials to new spots and dig out marigolds I am tired of. Theyre annuals! I might plant them again next year.

I smile with confidence knowing my new love will light up my garden like a prison spotlight.

But then the guilt sets in.

Its a beautiful plant, but do I really positive need it? My marigolds bloom faithfully every year. The perennials are content in their plots of soil.

They depend on me!

Do I really want this jewel of a plant, this tempting beauty, breaking up my happy garden?

Can I live without my new love?

No! Why should I have to live without this beauty? I am the gardener! I decide what is planted and what isnt!

I set the new plant in my basket, shove my guilt down deep inside, and stride determinedly to the checkout counter.

I happily wallow in guilt-free of price denial while standing around in line. My new plant is in sizeably efficient hands.

But maybe I might grow it with the marigolds? I could give it a shot. They might get along. Marigolds are tolerant souls.

Yes! Decision made. My marigolds are about to meet a new friend. I am no longer a horrible human for considering dumping my little buddies.

I am the gardener, a proud caretaker of the earth! My guilt slithers off to haunt me during my next nursery visit.

We gardeners have a deep relationship with our plants, each and every one.

But we always manage to find room for one more.