Theo, My Garden’s Romeo

Some plants arrive with more spirit than we expect, and Theo was one of them. He pushed up far too early, braved the winter cold, and grew into a bold, towering presence in my garden — a true Romeo among the flowers. His season was brief but wholehearted, rising from a tiny seedling to a generous summer giant before gently returning to the earth.

The photos below trace his small but memorable journey, followed by a poem and a quiet Damien Rice song that felt just right for his farewell.


Theo is transplanted from the gravel path into my large planter box. (early June)

When I came back from my trip to Canada, on September 23rd, Theo was indeed looking very sick, and we thought he mightn’t survive …


But during the spring weather of October and November, Theo did thrive …


With flowers and fruit by the end of December …


Yes, Frankie, we spotted red tomatoes in early January …

Early March, and Theo’s crop of fruit has not been large, mainly due to his premature birth and my 4-week absence in Canada, but we are very proud of Theo’s effort to be one of nature’s providers …





Theo, My Garden’s Romeo


From little things, big things grow –
a tiny seedling in the snow.
So brazen and bold,
he survived the winter cold

A time-defying green tower,
with serendipitous spring flowers
and summer fruit for my garden dell –
Theo’s life was wildly swell.

Then, prematurely – like his birth –
his wilted girth
slowly began to return to the earth






Ivor Steven ©  March 2026

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ivor20

G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer. I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.

30 thoughts on “Theo, My Garden’s Romeo”

  3. A very cheery post, Ivor. It is a heroic story of rescue and brave survival, and I enjoyed it very much! 🍅 🍅 🍅

    You made me remember my own cherry tomato experience from many years ago. When the tulips in my flower bed were finished blooming, I squeezed cherry tomato seeds over the soil. The vines filled the flowerbed, and we had cherry tomatoes on our salads for weeks!

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  11. it’s because of how he survived the winter cold, how he’d, broke through the soil despite it is still winter, that’s made him, stronger than the, rest, and he will surely, flourish, and produce the fruits sweeter than the rest of your garden for sure!

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  12. I am so proud of Theo! And of you and Frankie, Ivor! You made quite the positive team that helped Theo to do his bestest. 🙂
    I think Theo appeared to give so many us hope, inspiration and courage! I know I thought of him while going through some tough times these past months.
    And Theo has made the space/soil he grew in much richer…whatever grows there in the next growing season will be better off because of brave Theo! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍅ɞ˚‧｡⋆❤️

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    1. Theo’s journey has been one of persistence, resilience, bravery, and lots of TLC …. and everyone has joyfully followed his efforts over the last 9 months, … and thank you for fabulous words of encouragement, and I’m sure felt all the love that came his way, Carolyn .. 🥰🌏🍅💕🐶

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