Inspirational Gardening

This afternoon I went for a wander around the rambling old cottage gardens which surround Riversleigh Manor. On my journey I came across a bonsai plant - a Chinese Fig Tree. It looked to be about 10 years old, and was housed in a tiny white ceramic pot. The soil in the pot was dry and its roots were exposed.

This is the story of the Bonsai tree.

Harry was a Chinese Fig Tree. Until the age of 10 he lived in a tiny ceramic pot. Physically he was fine but emotionally he suffered. Harry was prone to depression and often felt suppressed, restriced.

Harry was born in the Spring of 1995 in a bushy suburb called Monbulk. His owner, Mrs Turner, was a passionate gardener and made a living from selling trees. She hand-raised Harry as a Bonsai in a 2-inch round pot and when he turned three she decided to offer him for sale. Harry was placed on a shady shelf at Mrs Turner's nursery. He was watered every day and many people admired him. 'Oh look, isn't it cute', customers would exclaim.

One Saturday afternoon a young woman came looking for a Bonsai at Mrs Turner's nursery. After much deliberation she chose Harry and took him home to nurture, protect and control. Over the next few years the young woman moved to many different homes, taking Harry with her each time. She didn't really give him very much attention after the first six months, and often forgot to water him when it was hot. Still Harry survived.

One day the young woman decided to change the course of Harry's life by giving him a different home. She had been talking with some friends who said they didn't like Bonsai trees, and she started to think about the whole concept in great depth. She decided that it was manic to restrict a plant in a tiny pot; a plant that would normally grow into a huge tree. And so she found a nice big pot, filling it with rich soil and compost from the garden at Riversleigh Manor. She soaked Harry with cool fresh water, then carefully removed him from his tiny pot. She fluffed up his roots and placed him tenderly in the fresh soil. She flicked some rich earth across his roots then pressed firmly to make sure Harry was nice and snug in his new home. She watered him in, then stood back to enjoy the sight of freedom.