Life in the Killing Fields

When I looked at the scene of desolation this February, after a miserably cold winter, I likened the scene to the Killing Fields. Someone suggested we put up a sign saying “In Memoriam. A Garden once existed here” Now, five months later it is difficult to imagine the despair we felt then- and in fact all of the main structural plants and trees are not only alive but thriving. But below the big structural plants there have been many smaller casualties, among them a ten year old Dasylirion Serratifolium and an Aloe which made a lovely summer display as the picture shows. 

There was no doubt about it, they had both copped it. At least, that is what I thought until today when I noticed tiny shoots emerging from the dead stems of the Aloe. Everything above the surface is dead, but the roots have survived and are throwing up new life. If I’d been a more diligent gardener I’d have thrown the lot away, months ago. As for the Dasylirion, no sign of life yet, but I think I’ll wait and see.