This is my front yard garden now, September 2nd. Its about to move into Autumn flowering season.
Take a good look at this little slice, maybe four feet long by 30 inches deep. Allow me to list all the plants I have in this one area:
Coreposis (2), Garden Yarrow (2), Field Yarrow (many), Geranium (1), Sedum (2), Alliums (many), Asiatic lily (5), Heuchera (1), Rose (1), Milkweed (1), Gaura (1), Asters (3), Perennial Sunflower (many in a bunch), Chrysanthemum (2 and spreading!), daylily (1), Salvia (1), Purple Coneflower (1), Martagon Lily (1), primrose (many). I think that's it. But of course, there's the spring bulbs like Crocus, Tulips, and Narcissus.
Coreposis (2), Garden Yarrow (2), Field Yarrow (many), Geranium (1), Sedum (2), Alliums (many), Asiatic lily (5), Heuchera (1), Rose (1), Milkweed (1), Gaura (1), Asters (3), Perennial Sunflower (many in a bunch), Chrysanthemum (2 and spreading!), daylily (1), Salvia (1), Purple Coneflower (1), Martagon Lily (1), primrose (many). I think that's it. But of course, there's the spring bulbs like Crocus, Tulips, and Narcissus.
It's not much better over here in the late day shade part. Here we have maybe 7 feet long by 30 inches deep.
Asters (at least 3), Eupatorium (2 spreading masses), Garden Yarrow(2), Fiels Yarrow (many), Russian Sage (2), Sedum (1), Goldenrod (1 bunch), Fern (1), Spirea (1), Aconitum (1), Gaura (1), Lavender (1), Allium (several), Climbing rose (1), Honeysuckle (1), Clematis (1), Pinks (1), Martagon Lily (3), and Boston Ivy which I did not plant plus all the spring bulbs.
Every plant in my garden is vying for space, light, water, nutrients. With so many plants so close, the floral display is great when the plants are healthy. But I'm becoming more and more aware of stress and decline in the garden. I'm seeing more and more the need to pick and choose, to limit the multiplicity for the sake of the growth and health of the entire garden.
Here's the thing: I'm wondering if this overcrowding of the garden is an outward expression of the way I have been living my life. Specifically, have I filled my life with so many activities that none can fully develop, grow into healthy, full accomplishments? Should I pull things to make more room? To be seen, to be seen.
What does your garden tell you about yourself?
Asters (at least 3), Eupatorium (2 spreading masses), Garden Yarrow(2), Fiels Yarrow (many), Russian Sage (2), Sedum (1), Goldenrod (1 bunch), Fern (1), Spirea (1), Aconitum (1), Gaura (1), Lavender (1), Allium (several), Climbing rose (1), Honeysuckle (1), Clematis (1), Pinks (1), Martagon Lily (3), and Boston Ivy which I did not plant plus all the spring bulbs.
Every plant in my garden is vying for space, light, water, nutrients. With so many plants so close, the floral display is great when the plants are healthy. But I'm becoming more and more aware of stress and decline in the garden. I'm seeing more and more the need to pick and choose, to limit the multiplicity for the sake of the growth and health of the entire garden.
Here's the thing: I'm wondering if this overcrowding of the garden is an outward expression of the way I have been living my life. Specifically, have I filled my life with so many activities that none can fully develop, grow into healthy, full accomplishments? Should I pull things to make more room? To be seen, to be seen.
What does your garden tell you about yourself?
Oh God. Don't even go there.
ReplyDeleteWent there. Came back. Still blogging. I'm going to have to cut somewhere or be more disciplined or something.
ReplyDeleteI hope my garden doesn't reflect the type of person I am. This year due to the rain, there was hardly any harvest. I hope the fall garden does better. Think of it this way, every year in the garden is different, like our lives are filled with ups and downs. Just keep growing in life and in the garden! Hmmmm, I'm going to need to put that up on my blog today!
ReplyDeleteyou are right, susan. Next year the garden will be different, I am going to pull things.
ReplyDeleteI've written 3 replies to your post and deleted them all. In brief, I think your garden is wonderful. Of course, I have nearly the same variety of plants in my own garden so why wouldn't I think it was wonderful? Yes, I think a garden does reflect pieces of our personality, but personally I love an undisciplined garden. It speaks to me of an active mind, maybe a bit scattered at times but a mind that always moves and tries out something new.
ReplyDeletePam,
ReplyDeleteI like my garden too, when its doing what its supposed to be doing and looking (feeling?) healthy. I agree with you, and I'll leave it at that so that I do not do what you had to do, delete three responses! Thanks for your comment:)
I don't want to admit that my garden reveals anything about me because it's a bit messy right now. I made flowerbeds specifically to bedazzle the neighbors into not noticing how shabby the lawn is, and I have let these beds get scraggly and bare. My garden says that my son is my priority. Hmm. . . I may have to do a whole post on this. :) Thanks!
ReplyDelete