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Re: . . . 'That' book!!!

At 11:05 AM 7/28/98 +1000, Susan.George@dhs.vic.gov.au wrote:
>     I wonder if the Italians would agree that they need to be 'taught' to 
>     appreciate English horticulture, or whether the English would agree
that 
>     they have the conviction that 'pretty flowers make a garden', or
whether 
>     Dodo was indeed such an ugly character and how could somebody who was
so 
>     apparently lacking in intelligence have enough judgement to make such a 
>     good garden (an unsolved mystery)????? - Certainly, anyone who
struggles 
>     with changes in botanical nomenclature would have some sympathy with
a few 
>     disparaging comments about botanists!!!! . . .

I am inspired to expose!

I think most of us would view the English, as a country, as having a distinct
view of gardens in relation to everyday life.  It would therefore be easy for
those in other places to 'dismiss' an Englishman's concern over a historic
garden in that country as being misplaced or excessive.  Perhaps a better
venue towards saving and restoring such gardens (certainly more appropriate
and with better chance of success) would be to encourage local groups in that
country to adopt the project as their own.  Italians would have an easier time
listening to other Italians, no doubt.  And, in general, other countries don't
like to be told their business by those outside their border!

These old estate gardens in France and Italy would certainly be projects for
the Mediterranean Garden Society chapters in those coutries.  Support and
encouragement from within, and perhaps volunteerism from those local
communities would likely be the only real hope anyway.

It is worth noting however, that many of these gardens were, in fact,
'English' gardens in a foreign country.  Since there is a similar interest
in creating 'English' gardens in California (we even get some famous UK
garden designers out here from time to time), I know first hand how this
is often viewed with distain.  A California garden should be just that, a
'California' garden.  Likelwise with Italian, French, Spanish, or
where-have-you gardens.  I think it is a mistake to place the emphasis on
these gardens being 'English'.  In order to be brought into the correct
focus for the country in which they reside, that regionalism should not
be thwarted by such a foreign distinction.  It can contain a critisizm of
the local community, as if only the English know how to make a good garden,
not the intent I'm sure, but possibly an unfortunate by-product.

What this forum is about, and indeed what the general worldwide
'Mediterranean' trend is about is finding the regional nature which has
largely been disregarded in the past.


With regard to someone without 'experience' creating a worthwhile
garden - we here in California, perhaps since we have less of a
backlog of tradition, learn routinely from those who experiment
naively with gardens, creating some unusual and surprizing effects
due to their unique perspectives.  Sometimes these people are more
likely to find new ways and directions for our gardens than those
well-schooled in the 'proper' way to make gardens.  I am a strong
believer in finding your own expression in landscapes, and encourage
clients to make them their own, no matter how unusual or unique the
ideas might be.  The product is always interesting and often
wonderful!!

Sean O.

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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