Re: Who's the audience

**"* P* <r*@comcast.net>**

Doreen,

Unfortunately, I think you have hit the nail on the head.  My son is
in his 30's...his friends, neighbors, peers, etc. are too busy buying
houses, boats and cars to take the time to care for a garden.  Oh
yes...they want a garden...but the "no maintenance" kind we always
hear about.

My daughter-in-law complimented a large ivy I have trained on an
obelisk...it is 8-feet tall in a 24" pot...grown from tiny
plants...trim constantly...move indoors for the winter...you get my
drift.  She said, "I think that would look lovely on my front
porch...I think I will buy one.  I told her you basically can't buy
such a thing...you have to grow it.  (I'm sure you could buy it
somewhere, but I was trying to make a point.)  I added that you have
to start with small plants, train it on the obelisk every few days,
trim it if it gets out of hand, fertilize it...and it needs decent
light (her porch is very dark and faces north in North Carolina),
etc...  She said, "Oh, really." and walked away.  Basically, it will
never happen unless she can afford a gardener or if she can buy it
from Costco for $20 and throw it away when it dies.

This is sad...but true.

Sandie Parrott

> A second thought.  Gardening in this millennium, although it is
polled as
> the nation's favorite pastime, has become outdoor decorating.
Container
> gardens are the new flower beds of the century.  Instant solutions,
whether
> they come in a bottle or the local newspaper garden column, are
sought.
> Doodads, furniture, fountains and shrubs are placed about outdoor
areas like
> furniture is arranged in a living room.  Throw in a few foolproof
perennials
> and a dozen preplanted, purchased containers, and you have instant
ambience
> that only has to be watered.
>
> I know my perspective is dour, but I trying to be a realist about
what I'm
> seeing.
> Doreen Howard
>
>
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