A few years ago I saw on the news a short interview with Abu Ward, who was the only person in devastated Aleppo to grow flowers among the ruins of his city. His passionate belief was that even among the terror of bombing, dirt, dust and utter misery of people trapped there, he could with his “small oasis of colour and life” lift people’s spirits by offering flowers which could brighten their lives. He said: “There is no greater beauty than flowers. The essence of the world is a flower, its colour, its smell, its ability to inspire.” His nickname was “The Father of the Flowers.”
As the war in Syria is just smouldering among the ruins, perhaps the end will bring some hope to those who are left alive. To rebuild the country will take much, much longer. I often wonder what happened to Ibrahim, Abu Ward’s young son, who helped him in the little garden, that is now closed.
Courtesy of Channel 4 News:
Stephen Hancock, the author of Syzygy, wrote a moving and beautiful poem dedicated to Abu Ward’s memory:
The Gardener of Aleppo
For Ibrahim, son of Abu Ward
Oh, my beautiful boy
my heart quietly sang
every time you filled
your watering can
and overflowed with joy
No prouder father
has this city ever known
for in our bones
we both knew
what we were risking
For this is the garden’s song
I heard each and every dawn:
Today a seed must give its life
for beauty to be born
Here, my son
my comfort
Here, my son
my hand
And here, my son
my open heart
May it bloom within your broken heart
and upon this broken land.
“The Rose” (courtesy of supercnman):
This story is poignant because it reflects how wide is the gap between today’s technology-obsessed society and thousand-year-old human emotions. No matter how many centuries separate us from the past, nothing has changed where our emotions are concerned; we get angry, violent or needy, lonely or depressed, to mention just a few, in the same way as our ancestors did. Equally the beauty of nature, flowers, in particular, has a great impact on our wellbeing.
For thousands of years, all over the world, people’s lives were enriched by flowers, ‘the essence of the world’. From ancient Egyptians and ancient China (lotus, water lilies), to medieval and renaissance Italian lush gardens, through rose-filled Tudor times, the Victorian and Edwardian cottage gardens, to our present famous Chelsea Flower Show, flowers were praised in various ways by poets, painters, and composers.
The flower that inspired most is the incomparable, gloriously scented – The Rose. The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote:
“O my luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June.
On stem of thorny peril
Almost regal in their pose
Hung with sweetness
The scent of an English rose.”
William Shakespeare praised roses in his sonnets ( ‘..roses do not die alone..’), and over centuries, painters tried in vain to show the sublime beauty of a rose.
My own love of roses was initiated when, as a child, I read the book The Secret Garden. Just like young Mary I wanted to grow ‘climbing roses that had run all over the trees, and swung down long tendrils which made light swaying curtains, and here and there they had caught at each other or at a far-reaching branch and had crept from one tree to another and made lovely bridges of themselves’. I let my roses go wild, especially ramblers, and as I have grown them from young saplings, now that they are huge, I smile with happy satisfaction, for they are mine.
During spring roses flower profusely from May, and then through all summer until December, if the weather is mild. Every day I look at the blooms in admiration of their beauty, and their intoxicating perfume adds to the magic of being in my own world of nature.
And here are some more of my roses to lift your spirits and make you smile at their beauty.
“Song from a Secret Garden”, performed by Hauser:
I leave with these wise words of Liberty Hyde Bailey:
“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plant do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfil good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.”
“The Last Gardener of Aleppo” by Hazel Terry:
All the pictures of my garden and of my roses were taken by a young photographer Violetta Rybak. Every time I look at my roses, I remember Abu Ward.
naturetails 
I’m speechless, Joanna! Thank you!
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Thank you, Filipa, for your generous comments which are much appreciated!
Joanna
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Is this a re-post Joanna?
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Yes, it is, Malc, but the situation in Syria warrants re-publishing with additions.
Joanna
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And why not? It was a great post the first time around and as you say circumstances have changed. Hope everything is getting sorted out for you bit by bit 💙
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Thank you.
Joanna
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“Poignant” is the right word for “the last gardener of Aleppo.”
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Thank you, Steve, for your wise comments!
Joanna
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The resilience of some people is remarkable. There is an animal rescue that was known as The Cat Men of Aleppo. They had to relocate, more than once,, because of bombing, yet they continue to do all they can against terrible odds, to save every animal they can. Most would give up in such dire circumstances. Those who do not must have some very special trait. Some would say they are touched by God. I don’t know about that but such people are a gift to us and we need to hear more about them and the good they do, less about all the rest. So I thank you, Joanna, for always giving us something uplifting. Your flowers are wonderful.
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So many of us have a special place in our hearts for The Secret Garden Joanna!
Beautifully done, and I shed more than one tear!
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your wonderful comments! I agree with every word!
Joanna x
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Thank you, Dorothy, for your wonderful comments. I cried when writing this post too!
Joanna x
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Beautiful heart felt post, Joanna. Thanks for sharing it again.
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Thank you, Pat, for your generous comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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You are very welcome, Joanna.
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Thank you, Joanna, for this timely post, especially in a world where violence seems so pervasive. I remember reading about “Abu Ward, the father of flowers and his small oasis of color and life,” before, but revisiting it was no less gratifying. It speaks of the possibility of beauty and hope even in the midst of overwhelming despair. The most tragic aspect was that even a man with a heart of gold couldn’t escape the senseless violence around him, and the fate of his young son remains unknown. Stephen Hancock’s poem deeply moved me.
What also caught my attention were the roses—so many stunning photos of roses, especially from your garden. They were truly impressive. Robert Burns’ short poem about roses was a delightful read, and I thoroughly enjoyed the song from Secret Garden as well.
Thank you so much, Joanna, for this inspiring post. It serves as a poignant reminder never to lose hope, no matter the circumstances. A truly remarkable post.
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I remember this story, it’s a beautiful and touching tribute and worth rereading many times. And your roses are so lovely, Joanna!
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Thank you, Harini, for your wonderful comments! I cried writing this post! Thank you again, Harini, your thoughts are deeply appreciated!
I love my garden and the roses in particular.
Joanna
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Thank you so much, Kaushal, for your wonderfully analytical comments! I love your thoughts of hope, as they keep me from being despondent in view of the cruelty in the world. I cried writing this post, especially as I don’t know what happened to his son. I love my garden, roses in particular. Thank you again, Kaushal, your thoughts are deeply appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Kaushal, I love your comments, and I replied, I hope my reply is there because once disappeared!
Joanna
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I can understand your feelings while writing the post. You’re very welcome!
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This time no issue. In fact, such glitches are rare. Thank you for this kind grsture!
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Thank you, Kaushal, I am glad it is there!
Joanna
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Thank you!
Joanna
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You have given us another excellent and well researched post, dear Joanna. It is a real pleasure to read your articles, enjoy the images, quotes, videos and music.
The story of the gardener of Aleppo is fantastic and brought back so many fond memories and images of how wonderful it looked before the destruction. 🙏💕🙏
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Thank you, dear Luisa, for your wonderful comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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As always, you are more than welcome, my dearest Joanna 🙏💗🙏
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Thank you, dear Luisa!
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Another if your remarkable & heart ❤️ touching post,Joanna 🙏Its a pathetic tale of Abu Ward, the gardener of Allepo who grew flowers to provide much desired solace to people devastated by miseries of a war! I too felt utterly grieved on going through the absorbing ordeal of Abu Wards sad demise & his missing son Ibrahim! After having read your post for a few days I have gathers some courage of offering my thoughts on “the last Gardener” lest I rekindle in your heart the pain you must be going through since creating this amazing tale of hope & despair as time is claimed to be the best healer! In the current Geopolitical scenario, Modi’s dialogue “These are times of Buddha & not yuddha(War) provides “some light at the end of the dark tunnel” if the parties involved listen to reason!I hope I have summed up the picture clearly, Joanna! Great message! Namaste 🙏
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Pl read “of “in place of if”🙏
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Thank you so much, Dhirendra, for your wonderful comments! Your thoughts are much appreciated! Namaste
Joanna
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🙏
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💗💗💗
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Beautiful post Joanna,I love how you’ve captured the essence
of Abu Ward’s passion for flowers. Your writing is a testament to the impact one person can have on others, and I’m so grateful to have read it.
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Thank you, Prafulla, for the wonderful comments—they are deeply appreciated! I cried when writing this post, as this man should be here to welcome the end of the regime.
Joanna
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Hey, Joanna. How have you been?
I must stay, this post is a breath of fresh air! Abu Ward’s story is incredible, and your love for roses is simply contagious. Beautiful photos, too ❤️
I’ve fallen behind on reading blogs lately, but this one was worth coming back to. Thanks for sharing, and I’m looking forward to catching up on more posts.
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Thank you, Ritish, for your wonderful comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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He is present in your words and had left a incredible mark on many hearts alike you.He will be remembered as a person spreading positivity and feel good even in most adverse life conditions through flowers.He has done his part for this life time.
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Thank you so much, dear Prafulla, for your beyond-beautiful reflections! You have touched my heart and lifted my spirit!
Joanna
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Thank you so much for sharing “The Gardener of Aleppo” my dear Joanna. It is such a heartbreaking continuation of what is still unfolding in Syria. 😥 Thank you for giving a nod to Violetta Rybak and remembering Abu Ward. Your roses are absolutely gorgeous my friend. 🌹💐💖
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Joanna, this is an absolutely worthy tribute. Your dedication to research and the depth of detail you’ve woven into Abu Ward’s story is amazing. I especially appreciated how you highlighted Abu Ward’s resilience, and his nickname- “The Father of the Flowers” who cultivated beauty amidst the devastation of Aleppo.
Thank you for shedding light on such a touching and often overlooked icon. The photos of your garden are particularly stunning!
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Thank you, D, for your wonderfully interesting comments! I am glad that you like my garden! Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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I am so glad you re-posted it, Joanna. I really loved reading it then and now reading it again, I find it all the more poignant. While revisiting it, I am struck by the feeling of hope even in the bleakest situation.
Thank you, Joanna.
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Thank you, Punam, for your wonderful comments! You are right, hope and love save humanity from time memorial.
Joanna
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You are so welcome, Joanna.
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Thank you, Punam!
Joanna
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This is such a beautiful post and dedication to Abu Ward. May his soul rest in peace. I didn’t know about it but thanks to this post, I know about a beautiful soul today. Flower gardens are indeed very special and those who care and nurture such haven are special people too. You garden flowers are very beautiful, very nice photography by the young photographer 😊💐
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Thank you, Fatima, for your wonderfully analytical comments which are greatly appreciated! You are not only a kind person but a spiritual soul too! I am happy to have met you!
Joanna
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No matter how bleak his surroundings, Abu Ward kept trying to bring beauty and normalcy. How terrible is the world that there are those who keep trying to destroy any semblance of beauty and world order. I hope there will always be people like Abu to try to bring order to a chaotic situation. Happy Monday Joanna. Allan
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Thank you, Allan, for your beautiful comments that resonate with my view!
Joanna
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