This is the season for many plants such as aeoniums to send out flowers. This can make gardeners be quite sad.  Why, you may ask?

According toWikipedia, “Monocarpic plants are those that flower and set seeds only once, and then die. The term is derived from Greek (mono, "single" +karpos, "fruit" or "grain"), and was first used by Alphonse deCandolle.” This has led to the common term among gardeners of the term ‘Death Bloom.' I would like to challenge this perspective and say, I personally call it an ‘Opus.' This incredible bloom is this plants whole life's work. A beautiful piece of art and renewal, for mostmonocarpic plants leave behind pups or seeds to continue to grow after the parent plant dies.  Gardeners can enjoy the blooms on theaeoniums that last for weeks, pollinators such as bees flock to the flowers and buzz happily, so I celebrate the beauty. (See photo #1)

On a practical note, when one of myaeoniums finishes their bloom, I cut off the stalk and leave what's left. I've been blessed to see the next year, the clean stalk put out more plants. (see photo #2)

I leave you with one more quote:  “Gardening — indoors or out — really is the slowest of the performing arts. Plant something, wait, hope. The anticipation, for me, is almost as important as the performance.” This is a quote by Henry Homeyer is a UNH Master Gardener.