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| Teasle (Dipsacus Fullonum) showing rings of flowers |
I'm putting together some initial thoughts on this blog before it is up and running. I hope that what I have to offer will prove helpful, provocative and interesting. I'm someone who believes in trying to find out why things are as they are. I like to know underlying reasons for doing and find out if there are other, possibly better approaches to be tried. I am disinclined to pidgeon holing and unhelpful labelling. One bugbear which will rear its ugly head is the labelling of plants as 'weeds' and the ensuing acknowledgement of so many people which prevents them from growing some of the most beautiful plants.
I went to visit friends, Mandy and Simon, last weekend, in their newly refurbished, Edwardian house. Looking at the garden, Simon asked: "Chris, Is this a weed?" Behind his question, I knew, was the advice really sought, "Chris, should I take this out or leave it to grow". He was pointing to a Verbena Bonariensis in full flower (when isn't it?!). I wondered about explaining the questionable use of the word 'weed' with Simon, but instead decided to give him the answer he really sought. It's lovely and let it stay. Only a slight smile hid the larger thoughts I had in mind. But, in that instance, there were only a couple of Verbena plants growing. In Lynn's garden I resorted to ripping up handfuls of the same plant, also in full bloom, because it was taking over and swamping the design and health of other plants growing among it.
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| Verbena Bonariensis |
The backdrop for what I have to say in this blog will be my own garden and plant growing and my own life. For me the love of plants is inextricably wound up in living. It calms me when I'm anxious, transports me when I need a break and connects me to the natural world through an appreciation of the relationship that man has with all things natural, in a way that is being recklessly ignored at present, in the wider world.
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| Dipsacus Fullonum - spent flower head |
Teasle - weed or garden plant? Or to hell with pidgeon holing and you make up your own mind :-)
I'll be back soon.
The Irreverent Gardener
