I just returned from the annual meeting of garden communicators, held in Atlanta this year. It was, as always, a feast of plants and people. Sitting in the airport on the way home I scrolled though the shots of people and gardens from this year’s event, and was moved to write this parody of Pink’s song, Raise Your Glass.

“Raise Your Glass/Grass – a Horticultural Parody”

[Verse 1]
Right, right, it’s about sun bright
They’re gonna make their food from light
It’s photosynthesis!
I love when it’s all so green
stems, foliage, flowers can be seen
What’s more to discuss?

Fasciation, Appreciation,
Call me up you hort-head nation
Don’t be satisfied, just get naturalized.
Join GWA to germinate…

[Chorus]
So raise your glass if you love plants
In all the right ways, all my growing freaks.
We will never be, never be anything but green
And propagating, dirty, garden geeks.
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your grass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!

[Verse 2]
Mulch, mulch, let’s divulge
What growth methods do you indulge?
Seeds or tissue culture
(Take cuttings already)
See that sport, must transport,
Pot it up in a pint or quart
Variegated is so WOW!
(It’s so saleable now)

Fasciation, Appreciation,
Call me up you hort-head nation
Don’t be satisfied, just get naturalized.
Join GWA to germinate…

[Chorus]
So raise your glass if you love plants
In all the right ways, all my growing freaks.
We will never be, never be anything but green
And propagating, dirty, garden geeks.
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your grass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your grass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!

[Bridge]
Planting zone! Locally grown
That’s sown!

So if you’re too loam for gnome
(I mean)
And you’re focused on rhizomes
(Focused on rhizomes)
You can choose to let it grow
You never have to, never have to broadcast on your own.

[Chorus]
(So oh shoot, oh root)
So raise your glass if you love plants
In all the right ways, all my growing freaks.
We will never be, never be anything but green
And propagating, dirty, garden geeks.

So raise your glass if you love plants
In all the right ways, all my growing freaks.
We will never be, never be anything but green
And propagating, dirty, garden geeks.
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your grass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your grass!
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass for plants!
Won’t you come on and come on and
Raise your glass for plants!
For plants.

This shot taken at the Atlanta Botanical Garden captures the wonder and richness of the plant world. And it’s just a small but extremely artistic taste of the diversity.

At the GWA meeting we raise our glass to fellow garden communicators, those who supply plants and products that help create beautiful gardens, and to everyone who appreciates horticulture.