| Mark Cullen says it's the time to look, wonder and learn
We are now in the garden tour season and we have the best opportunity of the year to gather information and absorb inspiration in an effort to make our own garden a greater success. Why tour private gardens? Other than the obvious reason (that we are nosey), there are a lot of great reasons why you should consider taking a look at some stunning gardens (it sure beats craning your neck over the fence). Real estate by its very nature hems us in. Natural features, like a burm, or watercourse, or a monstrous rock, both get in the way of our gardening vision and help by giving us visual cues to follow on our journey to a landscape that works. You will see some spectacular plants on your garden tours. Often a horticulturalist hangs out in a backyard to ensure that no one walks off with anything. They also like to answer gardening questions and to identify plants. The well-planned garden provides its best view from the vantage point inside the home. During meal prep and clean-up, the kitchen sink is where we stand and gawk. A front door framed in a fit of natural colour and greenery, as only plants can do, is a sure sign that guests are valued. They don't exist. If you don't believe me then show me a gardener with a fine looking front yard that is not inherently likable. What a fantastic way to express some style of your own!. The front yard is the "moment of truth" in any garden. It is here that the homeowner and garden designer wish to make their first impression and they are hoping that it is a good one. This is another moment of truth. Many of these objects tell stories about the people who live in the house, including their travels, artistic talents and, in the case of gifts, the taste of their friends. Of greater interest to me are the items that look great but serve some practical purpose. Canadian gardeners are installing inanimate objects that look great. Stop at the front property line. Slow down. The front yard will tell you if it is a property and if visitors are generally welcome or not. Many of them are worthy of display in an art gallery. Bird accessories also offer an opportunity to serve a purpose while providing something attractive to look at. Standing at the front yard, often by myself, I can often tell if the residents are gardeners or they just hire some help to get a job done. |
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Mark Cullen says it's the time to look, wonder and learn
