Re: `Britain Meets the Bay'?
Sean wrote:
>Fellow Medit-Plants persons -
>I just received an invitation to a reception for a noted
>English landscape designer, Julian Dowle. I am researching
>what I can about this fellow before this reception (at the
>end of the week), but am coming up a bit shy with regard to
>information on which I can really chew
I can't help you with any info on this chap Sean, I don't think he's
in the 'main stream' over here, but I could be wrong - I rarely take
much notice of landscapers here, they are so fond of the 'hard
landscaping' they seem to have little knowledge of inspired planting.
The tendency now is for turquoise coloured trellis, big mirrors and
weird bits of concrete, plus the odd scrap of bleached wood. Half a
dozen of the commonest (invariably the most boring also) plants
imaginable and they think they've created a masterpiece. Junk yard
more like.
However, you made an extremely valid point about trying to adopt a
style of gardening which is ill-suited to the climate. With the
amazing range of spectacular plants that can be grow with comparative
ease in many areas of California, it seems almost nonsensical to try
and recreate 'English garden style'. There's nothing wrong with the
classic 'English Garden' if the climate provides low temperatures not
exceeding 28C and plenty of summer rain. Also, the harsh sunlight of
California is likely to 'bleach out' delicate colour combinations
making them far less effective than in lower light intensities. Far
better to adopt or create a Californian or at least 'West Coast style
of gardening that embraces all that can be grown well over there.
Look at those who struggle valiantly to grow David Austin's 'English
Roses' in the warmer parts of Ca. where possibly good forms of
Hibiscus rosa sinensis might be more appropriate. I don't think they
ever get real value for their money - not because there is anything
wrong with the plants, but simply because the plants need cooler
climates in order to perform well.
Says he who tries to adopt a sub-tropical gardening style in a climate
only barely suited for the purpose!!!
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
