The Enchanted Greenhouse

Yarrow Verdane is Terlu’s love interest. In keeping with romantic conventions, he’s described as “remarkably handsome” (26), and the narrator’s descriptions of his “gorgeous gold-and-black hair” and emerald eyes make the protagonist’s instantaneous attraction to him clear (26). However, Durst subverts convention in that neither Terlu nor Yarrow falls in love at first sight. One of Yarrow’s key traits is his strong work ethic. Self-sufficiency is prized in “cottagecore” fiction, but cooking and gardening aren’t just idealized hobbies for him. He has to sustain his own life and those of the thousands of plants in the greenhouse because he’s completely alone on Belde for years. The gardener demonstrates his nurturing love by taking “care of every plant and every bird, every living thing on this island” (149). Yarrow remains devoted to the enchanted greenhouse even though his relatives have all left and his father tells him it’s a doomed endeavor. During the novel’s climax, he extends that same wholehearted devotion to Terlu when he declares that he would rather build a new greenhouse than “risk [her life] for the dream of a dead sorcerer” (336). Although Yarrow’s shyness sometimes comes across as gruffness, Terlu discovers that he is a man of few words but deep emotions.

Yarrow plays a key role in the novel’s love story and themes. Much of his growth connects to the theme of Escaping Isolation Through Empathy. As the story unfolds, the dynamic character goes from being geographically and emotionally closed-off to the world outside the island to both accepting and expressing love. Likewise, his tireless support gives Terlu a much-needed sense of acceptance and boosts her confidence, encouraging her to persevere through the setbacks that arise as she struggles to save the greenhouse: “‘I trust you,’ Yarrow said. That was the most beautiful sentence she’d ever heard anyone utter” (127). In both his transformative romance with Terlu and his reconciliation with his relatives, Yarrow’s story demonstrates The Healing Power of Love. He also advances the theme of Second Chances and the Search for Redemption by apologizing to Rowan and by granting Birch forgiveness. His character is essential to the novel’s joyful resolution because a “happily ever after” is a key expectation of romance novels and because his steadfast love for Terlu, the plants, and his relatives help to make Belde one big, caring found family.

Lotti is a sentient rose and one of the novel’s most important supporting characters. The introduction of the talking plant during the rising action helps to convey the wonders of the enchanted greenhouse and signals that Terlu, who granted a spider plant sentience, is meant to be on Belde. One of Lotti’s key traits is her loyalty. She adamantly defends Laiken against criticism, protesting that the sorcerer “made [her] out of love” despite the ways he hurt her (303). Over the course of the novel, Lotti becomes part of Terlu’s found family and extends her loyalty to the protagonist, such as when Lotti declares that Terlu is “as good as a sorcerer” when she feels that her friend’s capabilities are being questioned (320). In addition, Lotti is strong-willed and independent, two traits that she develops in response to her periods of dormancy, which made her feel “powerless over [her] own fate” (130). Lotti’s authoritative nature is sometimes played for humor, as in the scene when she insists upon joining Terlu’s research project: “‘I want to help! I demand you let me help!’ Her petals were rolled up like little fists” (91). In early scenes like this, Lotti tries to be commanding because she’s used to being ignored and trivialized by Laiken. With the support of Terlu and her other friends, the plant grows into a true leader within the greenhouse, as demonstrated by her organization of the search parties during the climactic hunt for the shells.

Durst uses Lotti to develop Laiken’s character and the novel’s themes. The rose views the sorcerer as her parent, and the way he treats her offers potential insights for his father-daughter relationship with Ria. The controlling man discourages the rose’s interests and tells her that she is just “decorative” (92). This parallels his disregard for Ria’s dreams and desires and his attempts to keep her complacently distracted by the greenhouse. Laiken deprives the rose of her ability to live her life by making her fall dormant. His destructively controlling and suffocatingly overprotective behavior helps to explain why Ria fled from Belde. Lotti’s dormancy serves as a motif of Escaping Isolation Through Empathy, and she appeals to the main character’s compassion to ensure that her fellow plants are awakened as well: “‘Please, Terlu,’ Lotti said. ‘Without them, I’m alone’” (86). The rose demonstrates The Healing Power of Love by repairing her relationships with the sentient plants and by blossoming as part of Terlu’s found family. Paralleling the protagonist’s growth, Lotti advances the theme of second chances by helping to restore the greenhouse, an endeavor that gives her a sense of purpose her old life lacked.