Garden

My garden is ever evolving. But I believe that’s the nature of gardens.

Honestly, my idea of gardening evolves too. My approach today is very different than it has been over the years.

I’ve relaxed a bit. Don’t worry about perfection. Most of all I want to enjoy it. Isn’t that the purpose?

I used to garden in a way that might be considered more “proper”. Proper mix of plants. Proper structure. Proper colors.

Now, if I like it, I buy it, knowing that if I think this way, chances are, it will work beautifully together. My wife and I approach the interior of our house in the same way. I believe this mindset creates more interesting results. More character.

So now I mix it all up in my garden. Perennials, annuals, conifers, cacti, grasses, herbs. Anything I like. And for me, it is much more fun to create and the result is a more interesting composition. Quirky.

I love the looseness of a coneflower next to the structure of a cactus. They would never be found together in the wild, but here they make good mates.

I think I garden the way I see the world. I think the beauty lies in how different we all look and how diverse the surroundings are where we come from, but yet there is such beauty when we all coexist well.

There was a time you wouldn’t have found much yellow in my garden. This year I decided, why not? So I’ve tried it. The cool, calming colors seem to be more in fashion for gardens, so I wanted to see if yellows could create a similar effect. I like it.

I’ve made an area of yellow marigolds that are planted for my one-year old granddaughter to pick. I want her to be used to the garden and hopefully give her a start in seeing how nature works.

Speaking of how nature works, on the backside of the garden I now pile up all the limbs and trimmings that I remove from the yard. It makes a great habitat for all the critters – insects, birds, small mammals. Some might find it untidy and unattractive but I love the raggedness of it. The wildlife is in and out of it constantly. Since promoting some natural habitat, I’ve noticed less problems with invasive pests. And who doesn’t enjoy seeing the chipmunks constantly scurrying in and out, while at the same time scattering my soil and mulch. Oh well, a small price to pay.

It’s also important to have vessels of water available for the wildlife especially during these hot summer days. I even put bowls of water on the ground for the chipmunks, frogs and whoever else might pass by.

I guess my approach to gardening is much like my approach to painting. Composition, color, form, and an element of whimsy or surprise.

I love how the garden changes all summer long, and then changes from year to year. It seems each day gives a new gift if I just take the time to look.

I’ve reined in my garden to a size that is manageable for the busy life I have. I don’t ever want it to create stress, but rather be that place of peace that brings calm and order to my days. 

I love to begin a day here and end a day here. It enlivens me to start my day and calms me to be ready for rest.

It’s my small piece of heaven.