Ruth drove by a new-to-her nursery on the way to our house last summer. Knowing that I enjoy gardening, she called and asked if I wanted her to stop and get anything. I asked her to look for columbine.

The nursery owner took her to the back of the greenhouse where they found a flat of the plants. Dried out, past their season for planting, and forgotten, the owner said she couldn’t justify charging Ruth and gave her the flat. I planted them anyway, choosing random spots in beds and around the foundation of the house.

I’ve watched them grow this spring, and each one is beginning to flower.