Is there a flourish in your garden that began with one plant, or one seed?
From August to mid-September, our garden is studded with garlic chive flowers. An elegant allium, its star-like blooms stand tall and fresh in an otherwise hot and bothered end-of-summer garden (…or is it the gardener who’s hot and bothered??!).
Do not grow weary, the flowers seem to proclaim, their bright blossoms waving in gentle breezes. It is a message I need to hear: “Persevere!” Be reminded that God brings much from one—One Seed, one heart turned towards him, one step moving forward responding to him. A quiet reverence or a simple measure may not seem monumental at the time. Yet over time, much may result.
Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. Isaiah 51:2 NIV
The story of Abram has bloomed in my yard. I planted one inconsequential four inch pot, and now its offspring distinguish our garden, 
dazzling August’s dog days with delight. The garlic chives pattern the possibility that many will come from one, echoing God’s promise to Abram:
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky Genesis 22:17 NIV
My feelings of smallness and futility, perhaps finishing only one thing today, are soothed by the sight of these savory flowers. Thank you, Lord, for imprinting your promises for me to behold in our garden.
May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 115:14-15 NIV
Garlic chives are not mentioned in the Bible. However, they are classified in the Allium genus along with leeks, onions and garlic which are mentioned in Numbers 11:5.
Photo Credits: © 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Garlic chive flowers blooming on our garden, a multitude growing from one 4-inch pot!
NIV denotes Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
I thank you for sharing with me! They are doing wonderfully and I love the daily reminder from the Lord.
So glad they have survived the transplant! They are tough little beauties. I love to be reminded of The Lord in the garden!!
I thank you, Shelley, for bringing me into your garden via video to share your garlic chives! I have some of these..in one corner of a garden..and, they do seed themselves readily..I used to think they were a bit invasive..but, with your insight into this I am letting them go to seed this year instead of trimming the seeds off..and, seeing where they go…what a wonderful, beautiful garden full of garlic chives you have! I recently purchased your gardeners bible and am so enjoying it…thank you so much for this website and all you put into it ! It brings me to my knees in prayer to our Maker…I have always been a gardener…a master gardener at that..but, this journey with your website and gardeners bible is new and so amazing..I have always felt one could meet with the Lord in their garden..and, that is where I pray the most..but, I love reading about all the plants and how you tie them together with the bible and the plants mentioned in the bible..verses to stay in my mind and remind me of the glorious earth God gave us…thank you, thank you!
And thank you, Deborah, for making my day! I am so excited to hear how the book, blog and website have blessed you!! Thank you for writing. Yes, those garlic chives will “multiply, increase and fill,” but I find them to be a more tasty ground cover than mondo or liriope grasses with a resilient green all year, and then show this month has a special beauty. I’m tickled that you like the video….I have a while new appreciation for film makers…but it’s a sight to see beyond a still picture.I love God’s dimension; the garden gives us such a deeper dimension of him!!!
Persevere!
Love the addition of a video onto your blog. Amazing how these little plants do multiply. I agree that their foliage is prettier than other grasses plus they are edible! I, too am so inspired with the way in which you tie various plants to our spiritual growth. A great insight into God’s word!
Thank you, Mom, glad you liked the video, too! A so happy to hear you’ve been inspired…but you have been inspired all along the way 🙂 Our pastor taught on the story of Abram this weekend, and I thought, “I KNOW that story…it bloomed across my yard!” ha!