In The Garden Now…..A Very Small Crop

Text and photos by Victoria Gilleland
Photos taken in the Shoreline Garden of Kim and Diane Brumble


This is a really lovely garden vignette … no doubt about it! But take a close look at the upright plant growing towards the back of the container.  If you’ve ever grown a vegetable garden you just might recognize this one. Look familiar?  That’s right … It’s a corn plant!

This plant has been growing in such an ideal location that it has actually put on silks and produced a small ear of corn.  And besides that it looks great in the pot!

Homeowner Kim Brumble likes to feed the wildlife that visit his garden. Each morning he spreads a handful of grain on a rock across from the kitchen window so that he can enjoy the antics of his hungry visitors. It appears that last spring one of his little guests took it upon herself to stash a tasty kernel of corn in a nearby pot. Given a sunny spot in the garden, plenty of water, and an especially hot summer the kernel grew into a small but healthy corn plant! Who would have thought?

You never know what Mother Nature might bring your way! Be thankful for her many offerings.

Botanical Name:  Poaceae

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.