This striking thistle-like plant is Eryngium “Big Blue”, commonly known as Sea Holly.
Tall and spiky, it contrasts well with more typical “flowery” flowers. Round the head are myriad tiny flowers, popular with bees, then a crown of blue bracts. The stems range from green to strong purple and the plant stands strong long after the pollinators have finished their busy labouring.
Gardens benefit from variety of species: it gives ongoing interest, successions of colour, and a series of amazing shapes- the garden becomes architectural.
Would you choose Sea Holly over a fragrant rose? Or exclude the fruit bushes? Maybe not: but in the right place, eryngium will perform valuable service. And it is an intriguing form. They can all belong.
Gardens make quite a good example of effective churches. Some are full of one main crop. Others go showy, bright colours and “perfect” specimens. Cottage gardens have a bit of everything! Veg, herbs, fruit and flowers mixed in glorious chaos… well, apparent chaos. Proper chaos has to be planned, you know!
St Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:17, says something profound: “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?”
Plant, garden, body, church… they all benefit from a full range of “parts” each with a different appearance and function. Such diversity is to be welcomed and celebrated. It may mean that we don’t end up in churches where everyone is just like me (or you). That might seem desirable or sensible, but it is very limiting.
Colossians 1:20 reminds us that “through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”
The Church is to be the agency of reconciliation; and a shining example of grace enabling variety, diversity, and love.
You may be a rose, a gooseberry bush, or a piece of Sea Holly. Be what you are, JOYFULLY, and together we will all come closer to Christ. Growing together is fun!
Look, See, Pray 