Pruning for Personal Growth

Lessons from My Azaleas

Two years ago, I moved from New Orleans to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Cradled in the woods, our new home came with a wild and somewhat mysterious garden. I had no idea what lessons the plants would teach me. When we arrived in N.C., it was too early in the season to identify the various plants on the property. They all looked similar, peeking their way through the sleepy winter leaves composting on the ground. There was nothing for us to do but wait and watch—learning the light, the drainage, and the rhythms of the land.

Plants started to reveal themselves: blueberries, azaleas, hydrangeas, and one lone lavender in a framed garden bed near the front door. I took the lavender as a positive sign. In folklore, planting lavender brings good luck and wards off evil spirits. I call this particular plant friend my “zombie lavender” because it constantly looks like it’s about to croak. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, and this one was living in poorly drained Appalachian soil (the opposite soil and nutrients it should have). Yet, it continuously survives the harshest of winter freezes. Just when it looks like it’s seen the end, new buds emerged.

The azaleas, however, were underwhelming. Lining the stone walkway to our front door, they barely bloomed the first year. They were leggy and sparse, and looked more like tired boxwoods than bright azaleas. They needed someone to care for them. It would’ve been a sweet story if I had intervened early and helped the azaleas come back to life. But, true to my form, I was distracted and the azaleas were temporarily forgotten.

Over time, when I listened, the garden taught me lessons. The most impactful was pruning. Pruning wasn’t only for appearances and to keep the landscaping neat and tidy. I learned that pruning, especially the fruit bearers, encourages healthy growth. Not everything that grows deserves to stay. Some branches pull energy from the rest. Some block the light. Some take up space without giving anything back.

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Sacred Botany: The Folklore, Healing, and Magic of 6 Beloved Plants