In Connecticut, the peonies grow easily,
and even as far south as Nashville
they line the streets near the university hospital:
pom-poms of creamy round confectionery
streaked with red. Rotund shrubs
marching up the avenue to take over.
This far south they can’t make blooms.
The first year in our house I tried
to coerce one by dumping ice cubes on it
in the winter months, but it wasn’t fooled.
They are not the only plants that need support,
but they are the ones I grew up knowing,
and when the gaura was flopping over
I went to the nursery where I bought my blueberry bushes,
and asked the guy where I could find “peony rings.”
He turned and walked away immediately.
I was confused. Suddenly, a woman appeared
before me and wanted to know
what I was looking for.
I think she was the manager.
“I’m looking for plant supports,” I said.
She directed me to the front of the store
near the registers but didn’t order me out or anything.
I bought three.
