Re: Something new to grow- Garden Longevity
- To:
- Subject: Re: Something new to grow- Garden Longevity
- From: k* s*
- Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 20:10:33 +0100
Hmmm,
I think I can understand what your British friend is talking about. The
long tradition of gardening here makes us think of 100yr old oaks and
ancient woodlands as 'long term', but that we should plant trees for our
grandchildren to enjoy. Sometimes also linked to the philosophy that we are
only holding the land in trust for future generations, therefore gardening
is really a long term thing. I have planted a Rowan tree from a seedling,
but I will be drawing my pension before it is fully grown. Roses can live
for 30 years or so, tree peonies for 50. I'd say its not unusual to plan a
garden to look good in 5 years time, or expect to wait a minimum of 10 years
for it to look fully established, but I'm always being told I'm a bit of a
traditionalist.
Can I also pick you up on your use of the term 'English' I don't wish to
'have a go' at you, but the Scots, Welsh and Irish in the British Isles do
feel a bit aggreived that many people in the US refer to Britain and its
inhabitants as England and English. These four nations make up the UK, and
all have their own cultures and identities, whilst making up the country as
a whole. I for one, will be loudly supporting my rugby team, Scotland, when
they meet my husband's, England, in the six nations (yes, its confusing, but
France and Italy also play in this tournament) championship on Saturday.
I hope people in Britain still think of gardening as a long term thing and
don't get carried away by the concept of 'instant make-overs' that we are
bombarded with on tv these days. Oh oh, I feel another rant coming on, time
to read The Garden in a relaxing bath I think.
Regards
Karen In Cheshire, UK.
-----Original Message-----
From: Anelle Kloski <akloski@jps.net>
To: perennials@mallorn.com <perennials@mallorn.com>
Date: 26 March 2000 19:23
Subject: Re: Last day - Something new to grow
>Your new garden sounds like a challenge! Have fun!
>
>We moved into a new house in the Sierra Nevadas forest at 3000'
>elevation in 1996. At first, I didnt know if a garden was possible
>here, but I stuck in a few things, and have just kept going. Pretty
>exciting, that it actually worked, and with new plants I never knew
>before. But I had a friend I corresponded with in England, who said of
>her upcoming retirement, "I would like to start a garden, but I would
>not live long enough to see it come to maturity." I thought this was an
>interesting statement, but one which I hoped was not true. Perhaps
>people in England just have a different view of gardens than we do in
>this country?
>
>I know it will be years before my rhododendrons become huge - if ever.
>(It has been difficult even finding ones which get very tall, but I
>guess I do have an ideal of English gardens I have seen, such as the
>Rothschilds' rhodies.) Perhaps our habit of moving around in this
>country affects our view of gardening. On the other hand, the English
>seem to be very good at putting together instant gardens, like they do
>at the Chelsea flower show. But I wonder if they all feel as my friend
>there does - that a garden is a very long term thing?
>
>Anelle
>
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