“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Sunday, May 20, 2012

My Overgrown Jungle

Over these past fourteen years my garden has changed quite a bit. It started out tidy and precise and now has become wild and somewhat untamed. I have never been a person who liked straight lines or straight rows. My garden beds have huge curves and I like them that way. I let stray seedlings grow where they want.  I don't even put hoops around my peonies all the time! I let the bugs chew on my plants.

Last year we had an event at our house for about forty people. Most of the guests seemed to like my garden and several asked for a little tour. Those who walked with me through the garden asked interesting questions and related similar experiences with their plants and were a joy to have in my garden.

On the other hand, one person who had been silent on the tour, waited until everyone else had drifted off, and then made a point of commenting that my garden was kind of overgrown and like a jungle. Her tone at first took me by surprise because she was serious, as though I was committing some kind of crime. Like she was letting me know that everyone else thought my garden was a mess and she was going to tell me the truth.

                         When it registered what she actually said, I started laughing... and then...

I replied with a smile,"Why, Thank You!"



Oh look, this columbine seeded itself here on it's own -- and I am leaving it there!

























 Yes, my roses loll over the fence.







 My refuge and my heaven on earth!






 "Nature knows no indecencies; 
Man invents them."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)












A blue clematis is being overrun by an exuberant autumn flowering clematis. I am thrilled because for many years the autumn clematis has had a hard time getting established.  I look forward to it's blooms in September.

My garden looks like a jungle and I like it!


12 comments:

  1. I love your garden! One of our friends has a perfect garden where everything grows in straight lines with equal amounts of space between each plant. Everything is of a uniform height and spread, and nothing is allowed to seed or bump into its neighbour. It takes hours and hours to keep it tidy so she never finds time to enjoy the space. Such a shame – give me a jungle every time!

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  2. Your garden is gorgeous! Those perfect gardens you see in magazines are pretty but they don't look "comfortable", I like a garden I can relax in and enjoy. Mine is far from perfect, I just keep it clean and relaxing.

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  3. I love your response to that woman. Sounds to me like she's wound up a little too tight. I find it very entertaining how some people feel the need to 'straighten other people out". Your garden is lovely. It's wild and free and beautiful...like nature intended for things to be.

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  4. I like the "wild and unruly" look....you have no one to pelase except yourself~

    Btw, stop by my blog when you have a minute~I'm seeking advice for decorating my cottage and I'd love to have your opinion! :D

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  5. I just read this quote on FB and thought of you~

    God colors outside of the box ~ and is it ever beautiful ♥

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  6. I love your garden and think it's just perfect. That woman was probably jealous of all the ooh's and ahh's you were getting, lol!!

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  7. Thank you everyone for your comments! I am glad you all are more accepting of my relaxed style of gardening. Love the quote Kelly! As I get older I find I color outside the box a lot more! ~~ Diane

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  8. Diane your garden is absolutely lovely - and you came out with the perfect answer! Give me a garden like yours any day rather than one that looks uncomfortable and contrived. Your trees are magnificent - I would love to be able to wander around and explore - it looks so tranquil and serene.

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  9. Oh, no, I must have a garden where no birds dare venture due to the chemicals...my garden must have flower beds in perfect straight rows and the grass must so perfect also due to the chemicals heavily laid upon them...NOT!!!
    Give me a garden that if something happens to come up, then it is allowed to live, one that the birds and butterflies and bees are happy to visit. If that is called a jungle, SO BE IT!

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  10. Dear Crave Cute - I love your garden and I am so glad there is someone else who likes the jungle effect - mine may even have you beat. I just can't bring myself to pull out the stray plants that grow. Please don't change a thing about your little piece of heaven. I really enjoyed my visit. God Bless You.

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  11. What a beautiful garden! So lush and fertile.

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