1408 Words, this chapter

Chapter Thirty-Eight, Rainbow Gardens part 2

They walked over a rocky path lined with pots of rainbow colored roses. "We call this the garden path since it leads to our famous gardens. I'm sorry, Jess, I'm doing all the talking. I know you spent several visits with us before you chose us to host your day. Would you like to give the tour?"

"Oh, no. You're the expert."

Sunny smiled. "Very well. I hope I'm not repeating too much."

"Becker here missed all the informative bits."

He smiled. "I'm a guy, sorry."

Sunny laughed. "It's OK. Our gardens here are all a bit different. Our first garden is the oldest. It kind of started everything." They walked into a large area of roses, lots and lots of roses, arranged by color. And there was every color imaginable.

"Welcome to Rainbow Garden, our namesake."

"I love it," cried Jess. "It's more lovely than I remember."

She ran inside. The garden was arranged in circular rows, making the whole thing one large circle. Inside the circle was a large patio made out of light gray river stones.

"As you can see they're setting up for a wedding."

On the patio were several chairs. At the end of the patio was a permanent wooden arbor that had several colors of roses growing along it.

"It's kind of small for us," said Becker, looking at Jess doubtfully.

She smiled. "We aren't getting married here."

"No?"

Sunny smiled. "No, the wedding they're planning for is tomorrow night and it's much smaller than yours. This is primarily a space for small events."

"Yeah, I was a bit bummed," said Jess. "It would have been perfect with my theme." She smiled. "Then I saw our space."

"Come on, next garden!" cried Sunny. She led them past several: a garden dedicated to local indigenous species, another that showcased and preserved endangered plants, and one that was inside a large greenhouse and was temperature controlled. It housed exotic flowers.

"This is my favorite," said Sunny, leading them into a busy area. "It's our only edible garden," she said. "We grow vegetables and herbs here. We feed the hotel as well as local restaurants, charity kitchens and schools."

"That's wonderful," said Becker.

Sunny nodded. "Today is a special day for this garden, local school kids are learning about growing their own food. They're picking their own salads for lunch!"

"Oh, that is so...sweet!" Jess cried. "Can we pick something?"

"Jess, you just ate."

Sunny laughed. "Don't worry, Jess. If you eat anything here at all, you'll be eating from this garden."

"Goody."

They walked past more gardens. One garden had unique, strange plants along side works of art by local artists and students. Another had cushions strewn all about and a large tented area with comfortable outdoor seats. Sunny said it was the reading garden where the resort put on poetry readings, library events and some small plays.

Then they passed a brightly colored garden with wind chimes, balloons, small chairs and tables, large signs, and an area that looked like it was replanted often.

"This is our Children's Learning Garden where we teach young children about garden basics, how plants grow, and just to appreciate the outdoors."

"How sweet," said Jess.

Sunny nodded. "Come on, next up is the ceremony site."

"Yay! It's also my favorite garden."

"No kidding," said Becker.

They walked down the Garden Path. Finally they reached a large open, well manicured...lawn.

"This is it?"

Jess slapped him on the elbow.

Sunny laughed. "Wait."

She led them down the large flat area. "Here is where we'll have the reception," she said. "See that building behind us? That's this site's secret weapon."

Becker raised an eyebrow. "She said weapon, Jess."

She giggled. "Not that kind, soldier. You're off duty."

Sunny giggled. "This is our newest garden and was built exclusively for large events."

Jess giggled. "Like our wedding!"

Becker laughed.

"That's where the weapon comes in," said Sunny. "Inside that building contains dressing rooms, storage areas, even a kitchen."

"They don't use the one in the hotel?"

"They do, they cook the majority of the menu there. This kitchen is basic and small, just a place to keep food at the right temperature, finish preparing it, then get it ready to serve."

"So we eat here, huh?"

"Yes," said Sunny. "I know it's large and barren now, but believe me, we'll get it rainbow spectacular."

Jess giggled.

"We'll even have music and dancing," said Sunny. "I also understand we're doing cocktails."

"Or there will be a riot," said Becker.

"Don't worry, we'll calm them all. Now down here," she said, leading, "is where the true nature of the garden is revealed."

Jess broke off running. She squealed and jumped up and down.

"What on earth is up here?" asked Becker. As he caught up he saw that the garden broke away into small sections, at first he thought they were just squares full of plants. Then he realized.

"Welcome to the Water Garden."

Several squares were arranged on either side of a long grassy aisle. Inside each square were pools, containing floating plants. Alongside the pools were plants growing out of the moist ground.

The first square had pink and white water lilies drifting along the gentle blowing water. Around the sides were bushy green plants and then rows of tall purple stalks, containing tiny flower blooms.

"Ajuga Reptans Rubra," read Becker of a small plaque.

"Huh?"

"They're the tall prickly purple things apparently," said Becker. "The floating things are water lilies in different varieties."

"Oh, sorry. I don't feel educated. They're just pretty!"

Sunny laughed. "We do have some people interested in the scientific names and classes."

"Yep, not us," said Becker as his own petite flower shook her head.

The next square had purple flowering plants drifting in its pool with some white water lilies. Beside it were delicate pink flowers growing in the soil next to some larger ones.

"So what impossible to pronounce names do these have?"

Becker replied, "The little pink things in the dirt are Schizosylis Coccineas Mrs. Hegarty."

"Whoa, that's a mouthful," said Jess.

"And the larger ones are the Schizo Cocci things Sunrise."

"I like them, they look like pink starfish."

Becker burst out laughing. "Yeah, except they're not tan and bumpy."

"No, they're delicate and smooth. What are the things in the water?"

"More water lilies, at least the white ones are. The purple things are water hyacinth."

Sunny chuckled watching the couple.

"Hmm. Still just pretty," said Jess. She ran over to the next two pools. "More water lilies, I guess."

Becker nodded. "Yellow and red ones."

"Ooh, I like the ones in the dirt! They look like little white stars and clusters of pink!"

"They're Rodgersia Pinnata."

"Ooh, they do look like a pinata."

"They do not! Pinatas look like stars or donkeys!" cried Becker.

Sunny giggled at their banter.

Beside the last pool grew a large non-flowering plant of large green leaves mixed in with red ones.

"Hmm, not my favorite of the moisture plants," said Jess. "That's what they're called, the ones that live in the damp soil."

"Yeah, I'm the one reading, Jess, thank you."

She giggled. "I read a little too, honey. What are the ugly Christmas plants called?"

"Can't you read?"

"Becker!"

He smirked. "They're Rheum Ace of Hearts."

"No, not girly enough."

"Yeah, that's kind of why I like them."

"You would my manly man."

He chuckled. "This pond is the odd man out. No water lilies."

"Shocking."

Becker read the plaque and smiled widely. "This is my favorite floating plant too."

Jess peered over his shoulder, then giggled loudly. "Of course it is. Stratiotes Aloides or..."

They said together, "Water Soldier" and laughed.

"Sorry, babe, not my favorite," Jess said, wrinkling up her nose at the long spiny spikes of green that floated along the pond.

"That's OK, you have three girly ponds."

"Yep, and one for you." She reached up and kissed him. "It's perfect."

He nodded.

"Well, the first four mini gardens were a hit," said Sunny. "Shall we continue on?"

End of Chapter Thirty-Eight