IDA, MI — The Ida Petunia showed up on Wednesday, July 9.
A single pinkish/purplish petunia sprung up in a sidewalk crack near The Hair Shop and Pressed Rose in the 2800 block of Lewis Avenue.
“I came to work on Wednesday. Amy (Szott), the barber, was sitting out there and said, ‘Look at that petunia.’ I just fell in love with it and said, ‘This is the Ida Petunia.’ We’re having a lot of fun with it,” said Amanda Sharp, owner of the gift shop Pressed Rose.
The petunia is just a couple inches tall.
“It’s very little. That’s what makes it even more special,” Sharp said. “There’s a new bud coming on it, so that could mean extra life. The petunia is a pink that almost looks purple. It honestly kind of changes, which just makes it even more magical.”
Sharp likened the Ida Petunia to the Christmas Weed, which became a popular attraction in 2018 in Toledo, at the West Alexis and Secor roads intersection. Visitors decorated the weed for Christmas and then left items to donate to people in needs, such as non-perishable food and clothing.
Like people did with the Christmas Weed, some visitors are leaving little trinkets next to the Ida Petunia.
On Wednesday, Sharp set out a miniature dollhouse bench and added a little frog. On Thursday, a Jesus statue was on the bench.
“Someone dropped off a tiny Jesus to sit on the bench beside our brave little Ida Petunia,” Sharp wrote on her business’ Facebook page.
On Friday, three Lego figures appeared.
“The Lego girls. One has a bucket of yellow roses that match the theme of my store. One has a mug for Jamie at The Rusty Cup. One has scissors like Amy the barber,” Sharp said. “People are just kind of putting their own little touch on it. I’m documenting what other people add and taking photos. It’s been fun.”
News of the Ida Petunia is starting to spread on social media.
“People are sharing it,” Sharp said. “Some have stopped by to see the petunia and to take photos of their kids in front of it.”
Where did the Ida Petunia come from?
Sharp said several planters near the stores and the street have petunias.
“It could have wandered from any of those planters,” Sharp said. “Amy the barber has been the protector of the Ida Petunia, making sure it stays safe. She put up a caution sign.”
Sharp even wrote and recorded a poem about the flower.
“It’s silly, but I just think when the world seems heavy, you can always look for the joy, the beauty and the light. I just feel very called to that message,” she said. “The petunia came through the crack. Beauty can come through the cracks. You can bloom even in the toughest of places. To me, it’s a little miracle on Lewis Avenue.”
Follow the Ida Petunia’s story on Pressed Rose’s Facebook page.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: The Ida Petunia grew through a sidewalk crack; now, it’s drawing spectators, trinkets
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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