Monday, April 25, 2022

SNOWBALLS EVERYWHERE

Snowballs everywhere! Bushes, that is! It's 70º after all. 
My snowball (viburnums) bushes have a rich heritage and a circuitous journey.
They originally were propagated between family home places in Kentucky & Tennessee and back again---same Hooper/Davenport family generations just at different locations.
From this one plant have come snowball bushes at homes of extended family or friends in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee (4 towns) and Texas. A gift that keeps on giving.
Now I'll need to bring home some bluebonnets from Texas and see how they will bloom in Memphis....
......as part of a new floral family heritage tale. 
"Winter is past: ...........the flowers appear on the earth. (Song of Solomon 2: 11-12)
4/26 Morning text shared picture of this Batesville MS "heritage" snowball bush. How appropriate is the cross-shape as she is one of my ever faithful prayer warriors!
4/27 Morning text from Ellen in Walnut Grove/ St. Mary's area blessed me with another beautiful thriving "heritage" snowball bush photo.
4/27 PM text from "Alabama Ashlee" (before I even posted am one) thrilled my heart!
Both Mother and Mama Davenport are smiling down from heaven seeing their Hooper/Davenport/Adams/ Liles snowball bushes are continuing to spread joy!
4/28 Oh my, I received another snowball pic.... a Germantown "heritage" snowball that is showing signs of a cross formation! S & T must be using spiritual fertilizer.
4/29 This Texas snowball bush even comes with it's own Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog, Zeke. The owner is our older son, who is the great, great, great grandson of the original planter.

Addendum--2 years later in Apri 2024, after dying way back in 2023, this heritage snowball bush resurrected itself on Pleasant Run in Allen, TX. WooHoo!

Is this a "Battle of the Bushes"? 
In no way....this is a celebrations of Pa Hooper my great, great, grandfather on Mother's side born in the late 1800s in Hampton Station, KY. His daughter, my "Mama Davenport" was my spiritual mentor!