Garden vs Jungle

I went to a garden last weekend that was an overgrown jungle, full of gorgeous flowers and hidden paths. It was originally designed for the owner, who loved to garden, but needed some help with the layout and plant selection. Sadly, the owner could garden no longer, and it had been let go. The plants took over and while it had hardly reverted to a ‘native’ state it was definitely au naturale. Plants had grown and seeded willy nilly as they saw fit.

The great Monty Don claims a garden is really only a garden if a gardener cares for it (or something along those lines). Anything else just reverts to a wild mess. Which is ok and might kind of be the look you’re going for. I love that look, but only to a point. I still like the gardening process, taming and cajoling, pottering and creating. And I like to see the structure in the garden, because that’s my input. That’s what makes people who visit and say ‘wow!’ I love your garden! (And ok we aren’t supposed to garden to impress people but if I impress other people, I get praise and I must admit I do love me some praise, so essentially, I’m still gardening for myself). A wild garden is great, but if you can’t see the paths (like any paths, at all, not just a healthy bit of overgrowth), and you can’t see the pond, or the bench it’s not a wild garden. It’s a wild mess. Because a garden needs a gardener.

The front of the garden I visited. Cosmos and salvia galore!