1. Where does the name Invisible Bees come from?
An old friend and colleague gave me a copy of Denise Levertov’s Poems 1960-1967. Near the end of that collection, Denise offers her “Second Didactic Poem.” The poem — its sentiment and metaphor — stuck with me. I find myself returning to it, year after year. Here is my favorite passage from the poem:
The honey of man is
the task we’re set to: to be
‘more ourselves’
in the making:‘bees of the invisible’ working
in cells of flesh and psyche…
To me, Invisible Bees are our emotional stirrings. They work within us, sometimes without us even noticing, and they define who we are and who we still want to become. Invisible Bees live and die within us, and they call us us forward toward joy, achievement and fulfillment — however we choose to define them. By acknowledging and working with our own Invisible Bees, we become our best selves and create the “sweet” life we’ve always dreamed of.
2. Where does my garden grow?
I live in Fort Collins, CO, about 5000 feet above sea level, somewhere between Zone 4 and Zone 5 (depending on who you ask and whether or not they care to mulch their roses). It’s true, we do get more sunshine than Florida, but only 16 inches (or less!) of annual rainfall. …And don’t let anybody tell you otherwise: dry heat is still HOT. The most important garden tools I use are actually accessories: a big ol’ straw hat and sunscreen!
Currently, I’m gardening on 10 acres along the I-25 corridor. My husband and I are renting his parents’ old alfalfa farm.
My husband and I purchased a town home in South Fort Collins, and I’m currently gardening in a small patio space and on my front stoop. The front of the town home is barren, and I must submit a plan to “The Architectural Committee” before I presume to cast aside the rocks along the side of the house, rip up the landscape fabric, enrich the soil and plant anything.
We also live across from an open, unused field that gets full, full sun and I’m hoping to convince the HOA and local residents its the perfect place for a community garden! Wish me luck!
Someday, I may even go guerilla with some seed bombs in the open space across the field, too. Ssssshhhhhh….
3. Who designed your logo and website?
Mad props to my amazing friends at The Tenfold Collective. They’re incredible. Super down-to-earth, true listeners, honest collaborators and crazy talented. Huzzah Tenfold!
4. What are my favorite plants?
I’m from the East, so many of my first favorite plants don’t grow (or shouldn’t be grown) here. Rhododendrons, skunk cabbage, Hesperis and witch hazel for starters. …But, hold the phone for flowers of the West. Especially the Pulsatillas! I’d never seen these before I moved West — they are just stunning. Truth be told, I’m also hot for Dalea and the Ratibida columnifera, which seem to me the perfect old-fashioned flower. And PS, never in my life have I seen so many choices for Artemesia, lavender, Echinacea, Salvia, Penstemon or the Agastaches. …Yes, I miss my rhodies. And the sweet scent of Hesperis. But, hello, have you seen the cascading ornamental oregano?!! Exactly.
4. Why do I garden?
I garden to cultivate more joy and wellness in my life. I also garden to honor my family, my home, my community and the earth. To me, gardening is the best way to think, not think, plan, wish, feel, be in the moment, remember, acknowledge, give thanks, let go. I believe gardening is some of the most emotional, creative and empowering work a person can perform. Even when the garden project feels too big or the work too exhausting, I find lessons, peace and satisfaction in it. It shows me what steps I can take next, even when I think I have none. Gardening, like writing, like yoga, like meditation, like prayer, like home keeping, even leadership and running a business, is a metaphor for living. Of all personal and spiritual practices, I just happen to find it the most healing.
Read more in the Invisible Bees Gardening Manifesto, here.
5. How can I contact you?
Thanks for asking! Email me at alexa@invisiblebees.com.