Re: [SG] Something Odd
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Something Odd
- From: C* P* <E*@AOL.COM>
- Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 10:47:46 EDT
In a message dated 5/12/99 1:44:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time, CCREDUX@AOL.COM
writes:
<< These flower gardens in front lawns,and those who advocate their use,
remind
me of the little boy who refused to eat hash on a piece of toast. His mother:
"I don't care what your father called it when he was in the Army---eat it!"
>>
Terrible analogy!
Yet, this discussion brings up the question of design. All of the great
gardens of Europe have something to teach us in the area of design. It could
be color combinations, encouragement to try plants with an eye to texture and
form. There are the sensible gardening methods advising the gardener to find
plants that suit your environment rather than those that look good in the
shops.
A gardener does not need to be an artist or scientist but the long road from
marigolds along the path to serious gardening converts one to thinking about
these matters. Not only is the design issue a sort of graduate course, it
gives all season interest to a limited space. If one cannot have a spring
garden, a bulb lawn, etc., one can use front garden space (or side garden
space) for an entire season if planned.
The eye is always attracted to patched of color in summer, the mind is
impressed by design.
A cottage or rural home is attractive surrounded by a riot of flowering
plants. A two story of stone would want something else. A suburban house is
the most difficult, I think.
I am sure Clyde, with tongue in cheek, is suggesting that the Home Depot
plants (and who does not shop in HD) are not the end of the line. Many
spring enthusiasts plant packs and packs of annuals to leave them marooned as
the hot and humid weather drives the gardener indoors.
A great many front gardens, the dooryard in the UK, could have a bit of
design with shrubs of varying heights, stones, and tubs of annuals. In many
suburban sites the front garden is the only sunny location.
For the SGer's from Maine, does anyone know where Indiana is located? If so
send Clyde one of your magnificent delphiniums.
Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4
