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Re: Plant Snobs, common plants used poorly

At 10:56 AM 6/1/98 -0700, Victoria T. Olson wrote:
>   <snip>
>Why is it that we so often turn up our noses at plants that, given half a
>chance, are such rugged garden performers?

Victoria - 

I agree, it can sometimes seem strange to me that while gardening and
working with plants can necessarily teach us to be more broad minded, it
is also common for these same people to be very opinionated about plants
and techniques, often arguing heatedly!!

While I certainly have personal likes and dislikes when it comes to plants,
when it comes to designing plantings for others, I try to consider ANY
plant as a possibility, common or rare, as long as it fits the site,
scheme, etc.  People often find it curious how I match some of the most
common with very unusual and even rare plants, but if the 'work', there is
nothing more to say.  (except sometimes I get a perverse enjoyment out of
frustrating some of my 'plant snob' friends in this manner!).

One reason I think people come to detest certain plants is this:  If a
plant can take abuse, it is often offered abuse by gardeners - hence it
is usually seen being abused, and not grown under optimal conditions.
Plants which 'escape', naturalize, or thrive in untended gardens also
fall into this category.  So, with the predominance of planting examples
of a certain species being of this poor quality, gardeners tend to link
the plant with that type of setting.  A meridian strip planted with
Agapanthus, full of wind-blown trash and several weeds is a good example.
Centranthus ruber, growing unwanted and left to go to seed in an
untended garden looks pretty grim except for the first flush of flowers.
Any plant plopped into the ground without regard for the ultimate size
(you can just prune it, right?!), color harmony, textural compliment,
or what-have-you can also look pretty unattractive.  Garden centers
brimming to overflowing with a small range of plants help foster this
kind of poor garden.  I've even seen some species offered for sale in
my area which should be outlawed due to their weediness and tendancy
to escape into the wild.  As long as they look presentable and are in
flower, people will buy them first, figure out where to plant them
second, leading to a hodge-podge planting.

It is of no use to be a snob - this just cuts you off from those who
might learn from your example.  I don't fault amateur gardeners who wish
to brighten up their gardens in spring.  I do fault the large number of
nurseries who market plants inappropriate to our climate, and market
anything they can sel without regard for the final outcome of the
garden involved.  Their attitude and approach continually leaves the
newbie gardener feeling poorly about their ability to grow plants as
many of these plants die or the garden never look well.  This is why I
find garden consultation so gratifying - one visit usually puts these
gardeners on a good track and empowers them to know the right things to
do, so that whatever effort or expense they put into the project has a
much higher success rate.  Gardening should be a positive experience.

(Gee, I guess I'm rambling!)

Meanwhile, consider the good qualities of those 'comon' plants.  Sometimes
their toughness and vigor is just what we need in our gardens.  Paired 
with complimentary plants or hardscape, you might be surprized at how
wonderful they might look.


 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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