After quitting her job as a preschool teacher, Ms. Ha (38, from Hai Duong province) moved to Japan in 2019 with her husband. Despite the initial challenges of living in Japan, she gradually adapted and her homesickness faded.

Three years after moving to Japan, they bought a house which is their current residence. With plenty of free time and a spacious garden, Ms. Ha decided to start planting roses.

"Initially, I bought just 3-5 plants, but I soon found so many beautiful varieties that I couldn't resist buying more. I visited gardens daily to hunt for different types. Flowers in Japan are quite expensive, but my passion for planting them made it worth it," Ms. Ha shared.

Ms. Ha's house has two gardens, one in front and one on the side, both filled with flowers. The gardens receive more than 5 hours of sunlight daily, ideal for rose growth.

"I plant climbing roses around the fence and bushes inside. Currently, I have about 40 rose varieties with around 100 plants. I also grow red maple trees, peach and chrysanthemum trees, camellias, apricot blossoms, and some seasonal flowers," she said.

Although she loves flowers, Ms. Ha had little experience in caring for them. She turned to online resources, flower-loving groups, books, and videos to learn more. Initially, she faced many challenges, including worm infestations and root problems.

"There was a time when my entire garden was affected by powdery mildew. During such times, I spent all day in the garden taking care of the plants. My husband always supported me, even joking with his friends that they should enjoy the flowers now because there might not be any next year," Ms. Ha said.

Despite the hard work, Ms. Ha never felt discouraged. She believes that growing flowers brings her joy and a refreshing spirit.

A gathering place

The first blooming season was a special occasion for her relatives in Vietnam to visit and take photos with the rose bushes. Her rose garden has also attracted other Vietnamese in the area, leading to a neighborhood full of beautiful rose gardens.

"We all love flowers and share our passion for growing roses. When we find a good variety or a beautiful flower, we share cuttings with each other. Now, our whole area is filled with vibrant flowers, and everyone who passes by stops to admire them," Ms. Ha said.

This year's rose season became a community event, with gatherings in front of Ms. Ha's yard for barbecues and rose admiration. Even the Japanese neighbors love the rose garden, often stopping by to admire and ask for cuttings.

"Everyone who passes by is amazed and stops to admire the roses. Many people ask for cuttings to plant. I feel very happy to share my passion with everyone," Ms. Ha said.

For Ms. Ha, the rose garden is a great source of spiritual joy. Whenever she feels tired or stressed, she goes out to admire the flowers and inhale the fragrance of the roses she nurtured.

Looking at her house filled with sparkling flowers, Ms. Ha feels a sense of warmth and fulfillment, knowing she has created a beautiful, fragrant home.

Tu Linh