This month flower (January 1998):

Christmas rose

Mieko Nagano; Oita city

One day, I found a young Christmas Rose, which seemed to be thrown away, under the shelf outside of a nursery. The leaves were pale, the stem was becoming yellow, and most of the plant was withering away. Many other withering plants had been put there under the shelf. I didn't know why the miserable young plants attracted my attention. I finally bought two of them.

I planted them in a sunny corner near a hedge that could protect the young plants from freezing westerly winds. I kept my eye on them every day, hoping the plants would take root, no matter what. Three years have past since then. One of the plants has been growing vigorously, increasing the number of leaves. One day, I carefully lifted up the leaves. To my delight, I found no less than five tiny buds of a yellow-green color, hidden under the leaves. One of them is just about to bloom. Since the other plant is still pale in color, it may not bloom this year. I can't help feeling, though, that both plants will surely bloom next year.