Contentedly working in the garden last weekend, I suddenly became aware of two women walking by on the street above. They obviously hadn't seen me, since they were discussing ME. "Now, this one is a little strange. She likes everything in her garden all mished-mashed together. Not only that, but she doesn't like something - the color or whatever? She pulls it right up and sticks it out in the street. Then she starts all over. Very strange, if you ask me...." Their voices faded as they moved up the hill and I stood there, face hot, ears ringing.Admittedly, if you made a pie chart of my brain most of it would be taken up by things botanical: shrubs, trees, flowers, birds. Last month's indulgence for myself was not a new handbag, not even a mani/pedi, but a big pile o' dirt. (Actually, it's a lovely redwood compost for planting, but for dramatic effect we'll call it dirt.)
And certainly I've rotated an inordinate amount of plants in and out of the garden over the past 5 years... but mish-mash? That stung. When I e-mailed Abigail for moral support her reply was "Eh, she probably plants her annuals on a grid" which made me laugh.
However, there is always room for improvement, and 2009 will be the year that I stop buying one of everything I see - and mostly, have more patience. It really does take time for a garden to grow.
13 comments:
Chloe what a beautiful amber rose. What is it? Here
in the Pacific Northwest were getting sucker-punched ever other week with extreme weather. I'm waiting it out to decide about where the garden goes next. Your hike photos made me hungry for California, a place I've visited only a handful times, but admire immensely. Your truly fortunate to garden there. D.
Hi Daniel!
Thanks for stopping by Garden Grit. The rose (one of my favorites) is a newer David Austin - "Teasing Georgia". I live close to the beach, and this seems to tolerate the coastal fogs pretty well.
California is so beautiful, and I hope to share more of the backcountry in future posts.
Yeah, annuals on a grid . . . roses rigidly separated in their own pads of pesticide-laced dirt . . . I say the cottage garden rules! Keep it loose and interacting, just like in the wild. It's gorgeous.
--Diana
Ooh, that smarts. But don't you pay it any mind. I see no mish-mash here. Your garden is interesting, classy, and beautiful. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Pam and Diana,
Thank you for your comments! Cottage gardens do rule, in my opinion.
However, the new year is a good chance to refine and streamline one's design. (And to cut down on the impulse buys)
Chloe M.
Eh, nerts to them. How rude! I only offer compliments when I pass by a garden. And I have a lot of "onesies" too, I like too many plants to have a million of just a few varieties. I'm sure their gardens are boring. Or worse yet, they don't even have gardens! They're lucky they didn't get a fistful of composted manure as a departing comment from you. :) It would be a waste of soil amendment, of course, to waste it on them.
Karen,
I burst out laughing when I read your comment - thanks for the support.
Abigail and I agree we both have a bit of plant neurosis, we are addicted to plants!
Chloe M.
PS Thanks for your comment on my blog and for adding me to your blogroll! I know you would have a lovely parking strip if you had the opportunity to plant one. :) I still can't get over those rude neighbors! I'm sure people have made nasty comments about my garden, but at least I've been lucky not to hear them so far!
Something tells me that the two passersby don't get their hands in the soil much. I like gardens that are a combination of the gardener and nature. Your plants blend beautifully together. It looks both planned, and natural. The plants cozy up together, flowers rising up above healthy foliage.
Karen, I laughed at your compost line too.
Northern Shade,
That's a lovely way to put it - a combination of the gardener and nature - thank you!
Chloe M.
"2009 will be the year that I stop buying one of everything I see".
Resolved! So from now on, we'll buy three.
That IS a gorgeous rose! I have a similar David Austen named Golden Celebration. It smells like honey.
As for those gossipy gizmoheads, i agree with Abigail, they probably do plant annuals on a grid! I sympathize completely with you about buying one of everything, because in all my years i've never been able to stop doing that. But that's because there are just so many darn gorgeous, unusual, tempting plants out there, and since i must have them, i really can't afford to buy FIVE of each one, right?
Enjoy your lovely garden, and mash on!
Geez some people are just rude. I have had that same comment on my yard too. I love it so I don't care but it does tend to make you have hurt feelings. Oh well...keep planting and enjoying your garden that is the most important thing.(-: Your garden looks beautiful you should be proud of all you have done! I also received a truck of dirt for my bday! LOL I did get some bareroot roses too but that was all I asked for!(-:
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