Re: Garden philosophy

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On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 6:34 PM, n*@iinet.net.au <n*@iinet.net.au> wrote:

Hello everyone,

At a recent get together of our local garden group, we were asked to firstly, write down 4 words which describe ourselves and then 4 words which describe our gardens. In almost every instance, the adjectives matched........."show me the garden, show me the man"!    The garden is a place in which we can express our true nature and I really wonder whether any truly committed gardener is a slavish follower of fashion.......?

Robin
Gingin, Western Australia



On Fri Jul 4 14:38 , "Gay Klok" sent:

Hello everyone
I know I have been very remiss in joining in the discussions - But I do read all your interesting letters.   I have been a member of this group since the beginning of its conception but now, having reached my seventies and still creating two gardens [town and country], I am still in awe of the philosophy, knowledge and enthusiasm of amateur gardeners.

In the many times trips overseas [yes, including America] I can still be amazed at the individual and varied personality I find while visiting the many gardens I can admire or be surprised by.

Of course conditions of the locality come into play, soil, climate etc, but the love and imagination of the garden owner is always to be admired.   Global warming is a fact we all must take into our thoughts but I strongly believe that our own personal personality is the over riding characteristic that forms our individual gardens.   I do not like to see a garden that rigidly sticks to the latest "in" thing.   But even I can be astonished by someone - A friend of mine, an artist of harsh brightly abstract paintings, has created a garden of pristine paths in straight lines and plants planted with no thought to colour and marching up the square gardens like marching soldiers.    I was rather lost for words until I saw a clump of Neapolitan Cyclamen nodding their little pink heads.   "Yes" said my friend "Someone gave them to me so I HAD to plant them!"

Some rules must be followed - We all plant our trees,  having bought them as dear little 1ft plants, too close together when in 10 years they become huge giants.   I myself am a very greedy garden and should be kept away from nurseries.   I also rescue plants that are pot bound and on their last legs.   They all live and add to my crowding!   Luckily in the country garden we have oodles of space [many acres] so, much to the horror of my long suffering husband, another area is landscaped!

Create and grow the flowers you love.   Nature is an amazing thing.   She [?]  will throw a seed or two around in the perfect place and make you wonder "Why didn't I do that?"
Regards to all from this ancient gardener, Gay, the far more wrinkled gardener', Klok
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Gay Klok Tasmania
http://members.tripod.com/~klok/WRINKLY_.HTM