two countries

In a message dated 8/25/00 11:29:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
valerie-anne@lineone.net writes:

<< My thoughts too - especially pushing back the boundaries! ;-).
 Yards/gardens are obviously so much more extensive in America than is the
 norm here in England, especially mine, and I am so envious. >>

Hi Valerie,

I have seen quite a few gardens in the UK noticing that most are smaller than 
in the US. This is no doubt do to land division in the UK happening on much 
smaller original parcels with a fairly dense population.

However, many of the UK private gardens have nearly every inch incorporated 
in the garden - up, down, tiers and both front and  back of houses.  The 
patch of grass is usually very small and acts as a modifier of the plantings. 
 When you mention envy I see Clematis montana in huge pink masses over 
doorways in spring.

In the US the divison of parcels of land into suburbs resulted in much larger 
gardens because so much more land was available.  Often zoning laws demanded 
larger space around houses.  We seldom see the intense use of land here as in 
Europe.  A typical yard (garden in the UK) will have tons of grass and a lot 
of space in decking or patios.  Very little of the yard is used for 
horticultural activity.  

Hence, the typical UK garden will often be more diverse than the US 
counterpart (except, of course, the gardeners on this list)

I once saw a garden in Tunston Wells (is that correct?) that was completely 
planted on a parking lot.  It was to the side and rear of of an antique shop. 
 The owner lived on the upper floor and the garden was planted in pots, cans 
and whathaveyou.  There was a glorious rose over the building and a hedge.  
The hedge was in square cans and had been there quite a while.

The owner told us that a larger business would not allow the removal of a 
small amount of pavement but did not mind the shop's leased share being a 
garden.  The garden was charming and one had to look twice to see it was 
completely in containers.  I have a a photograph to remind me of the 
ingenuity.

We have good things in both countries.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY z4 

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