I recently moved into a new home. It’s a wonderful space with a spacious yard where a gentle breeze always flows through.
However, there wasn't a single flower in sight—only four banana trees standing tall and strong, a perfectly minimal yard that feels so typical of this big-hearted island.
Looking around the neighborhood in Fiji, every yard is overflowing with lush greenery: towering coconut palms, vibrant tropical blossoms, and trees heavy with fruit.
Seeing them, my heart swelled with the desire to slowly nurture my own lifestyle within this open space.
That said, this is a rental house.
Thinking, "Maybe I shouldn't plant too much directly into the ground right away," I decided to ask the landlord for permission.
The response was a signature Fijian smile and a warm, hearty, "Of course, go ahead!"
Relieved, I planned to start small by adding potted flowers and paid a visit to a local nursery.
The moment I stepped inside, I was truly amazed.
There was an incredible variety of plants packed into the space, far exceeding my expectations.
Every single leaf was glistening under the sun, looking breath-takingly vibrant and full of life.
It was a space where you could feel the raw, overwhelming energy of the island's nature just by standing there.
"I'll just buy a few today and choose carefully to keep the balance," I had told myself.
Yet, charmed by their loveliness, I couldn't stop reaching out, and before I knew it, I had welcomed five different varieties into my basket (starting with five isn't exactly "taking it slow," is it?).
As I was checking out, the lady working at the nursery looked at the saplings in my basket and gave me some gentle advice: "Pots are lovely, but try planting them directly into the Fijian earth.
They will absorb the energy of the land and grow incredibly vibrant and large!"
Encouraged by her words, I returned home and immediately planted a few of the saplings at the base of the banana trees.
Touching the warm Fijian soil with my fingertips and gently cradling the small lives into the earth—such a simple act, yet it brought a deep, soothing sense of peace, as if new roots were quietly growing within my own heart.
Among the flowers I bought was the hibiscus, the symbol of the tropics.
Right now, they are blooming beautifully in my yard.
Since living here, I've learned that hibiscus flowers open and close in harmony with the sun, gracefully sustaining their short lives day by day.
Waking up, opening the windows, and seeing the fresh bloom of the hibiscus every morning has become my favorite daily ritual.
Four banana trees and my newly joined plants. I look forward to adding more of my favorite greenery little by little while watching the garden grow. It is a record of a milestone day that brought a beautiful new breathing room into my slow life in Fiji.
── What are your favorite plants or memorable flowers?If you have a cherished plant or a flower that brightens your daily life, I would love to hear about it in the comments or by replying to this newsletter.
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