What a week of highs and lows. From the joy of last weekend, when Jason and I shared our wedding day with all of our friends and family members – including several aunts, uncles, cousins and gardening industry colleagues who had flown up from Christchurch – to the utter, utter devastation of Tuesday’s quake.

My heart just goes out to everyone in Canterbury in the wake of this tragedy. My thoughts are with you all, now and in the dark days ahead.

Sometimes the only things that bring comfort at times like these, especially for those of us observing from a distance, are the little things. Things like sowing seeds – a symbol of hope and optimism for the future – or pulling weeds or planting trees.

Whenever I think of Christchurch, that fine, proud, beautiful garden city, I think of the swathes of English bluebells along the banks of the Avon River, and the cheerful daffs that sprout beneath those mighty old deciduous trees around Hagley Park. Daffodils and bluebells that, despite this week’s horror, will resolutely bloom again come spring. I’m going to plant some under the oak trees here in my garden. It’s the only thing I can think of to do today, even in such a small way, to pay tribute to those lost.