Ah, ranunculus. These sought-after blooms have rows upon rows of delicate petals and can last for weeks in a vase. They’re also challenging to grow in our mid-Ontario springtime, where one week we’re protecting them from frost and the next week we’re shading them from blazing sun. I tried and failed for years to get tall, strong stems—and finally succeeded. These stunning ranunculus remind me of our need to create, of our desire for beauty; and also of our human nature to strive, experiment, and tenaciously chase a goal. Most of all, I am humbled as I learn to work with nature, not against it.