SHEER PERSEVERENCE

This lonely petunia was a big surprise as it grew all on its own from last year's seed in the middle of a brick patio. It shouldn't have lived through a Michigan winter. As a rule, the petunia is an annual plant that is purchased at garden houses, etc. in the spring, then pulled out and thrown away in the fall. (There are probably some who propagate them from seed, but with careful tending.) I suppose the seed fell from a spent flower head last fall, landing in a crack of this brick patio, and heat the bricks absorbed from the sun gave it a greenhouse atmosphere. It's been a very wet year, with spells of almost daily rain, so that must have helped too. The owner tried pulling it out, but the plant is so firmly rooted that she decided to leave it.

Speaking of rain, it rained all day today so there wasn't much chance to take the camera out. While having lunch with my cousin today, I spotted this petunia in the middle of her garden. I just had to take its picture, so I borrowed a towel to keep my camera dry and ventured out in the rain. For its sheer perseverance, this lonely little flower deserves some recognition, so it's my blip for today.