“Hey! Hey! Do you want to buy a flower?” Georgia was screaming down to passing bicyclists and pedestrians from our front porch. She had been gathering dandelions, camellias, magnolia petals and bits of cut arborvitae for her “flower stand” for two days. Sitting on an overturned bucket in front of an old wooden folding chair, reversed so she could attach her sign, “Plees come by flowurs” (pretty good for kindergarten!), she was sure someone would love her limp, bruised flora.

“Georgia, you can’t yell at strangers. You can offer flowers to people you know.” I cautioned.

“Bob! Bob! BOB!” she yelled, but Bob’s hearing is going, so he didn’t turn around. “Hi Annabella! Hi Sorcha! Do you want to buy a flower?” she asked two of the great almost teens in our neighborhood.

“I don’t have any money on me, I’m sorry.” said Annabella.

“That’s OK,” said Georgia, valuing tween attention more than money, “It doesn’t cost any money for people I know!”

So Annabella and Sorcha came up to the flower stand, and gingerly picked through the dried daffodil bits and soggy blooms to find two freshish camellia blooms – tops only, since Georgia has a hard time reaching up to get the stems. They thanked her sweetly and went about their big-kid business.

It all seemed so charming and innocent, until Hova said, “I just read something from the Wildlife Department that said you’re not supposed to pick flowers.”

I was stricken, how could that be? Is it because of the bees? Are we wrecking our neighborhood eco-system? Are our home habitats so delicate that we can’t pick dandelions and profuse daffodils from our own yard? Camellias that snow down in piles every day? Can it be so bad to pick some flowers for fun, and possibly (but unlikely) profit?

Once I saw the document, from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, my concern faded away. It states in 101 Things You Can Do to Help Save Animals and Animal Habitats While on Vacation: Don't pick flowers or collect wild creatures for pets. Leave animals and plants where you find them.

So it wasn’t a caution for everyday flower growers, just a reminder that our wilderness is a delicate balance, and needs care and respect to survive. But I was surprised how quick I was to accept that picking our own flowers and weeds might be damaging to nature. I’m a little tired of treading so softly, worrying so much, but I guess in precarious times it’s good to err on the side of conservation. And I’m glad to say that Georgia’s flower shop, which saw a surge in profits when our next-door neighbor gave her a 25¢ tip, will not have to close. Hours by appointment, or if she sees you walking by!

Next week: Earth Day!

Photo credit: KaCey97007