Looking at that garden swing reminds me of one I had in Maine, and like you, I was soooo busy taking care of the gardens that I rarely had time to enjoy it. Yet, that work was my medicine. I had never heard of a Victorian stumpery. A great way to enhance the garden. I'd love to know what kind of clematis V has that needs less sun. Full-on sun is difficult in my back yard due to the lacebark elms. I found the coneflower (Echinacea) cultivars grow quite well in my yard and I'll be adding more when Lowe's marks them down. They are hardy perennials, attract butterflies, and stand up to the climate and my clay soil here. Your lush greenery looks so inviting - reminds me of Maine. August in Oklahoma is pretty brown. I can tell gardening is your "medicine," too.
Garden expert Sue gave V a list of varieties of clematis that don't need full sun (the spot we're using gets partial sun) and don't need an enormous space to climb on. When we went to the garden center, I think V only found one of those varieties in stock. I'll ask which one it was.
Back in the 1970s a couple of studies done with prison inmates found that gardening or taking care of tropical fish had a calming effect. I don't remember the words used by the studies to describe it, but that's how I interpreted the findings. It calmed the anger and frustration common in the incarcerated. So it really is therapeutic.
I liked puttering in the garden as a kid and teenager. Didn't have proper time for it at my first house, then for many years I was in apartments. Over here I've been in houses again, with gardens, and the gardens have been gradually getting more of my attention. Seems to be a good thing.
Prisoners also do well in training wild mustangs and therapy dogs as well as caring for stray cats. The Birdman of Alcatraz kept birds and contributed to scientific understanding of them. I wish more emphasis was put on rehabilitation and less on punishment.
Me too. My mother can cite figures off the top of her head about how much recidivism (re-offending) is reduced by providing prison inmates with training and education. And the very nature of gardening, keeping tropical fish, or training horses or therapy dogs must surely encourage empathy.
Thank you. I think we get the most applause from the insects, birds and spiders. The entire garden was just grass and two hydrangeas in the back when we moved in. Although there are nowhere near as many insects as last year (it's a weird weather year), this morning a flock of maybe twenty birds (starlings I think) swept down onto the front garden, had breakfast and then flew away. It's great.
For 20 years, with the exception of a couple of brief interludes I was in apartments. No garden, so I know how it feels not to be able to have one. But this garden of ours takes a fair bit of work. Couldn't do it if I still had to satisfy a rigid full-tilt work schedule.
Looking at that garden swing reminds me of one I had in Maine, and like you, I was soooo busy taking care of the gardens that I rarely had time to enjoy it. Yet, that work was my medicine. I had never heard of a Victorian stumpery. A great way to enhance the garden. I'd love to know what kind of clematis V has that needs less sun. Full-on sun is difficult in my back yard due to the lacebark elms. I found the coneflower (Echinacea) cultivars grow quite well in my yard and I'll be adding more when Lowe's marks them down. They are hardy perennials, attract butterflies, and stand up to the climate and my clay soil here. Your lush greenery looks so inviting - reminds me of Maine. August in Oklahoma is pretty brown. I can tell gardening is your "medicine," too.
Garden expert Sue gave V a list of varieties of clematis that don't need full sun (the spot we're using gets partial sun) and don't need an enormous space to climb on. When we went to the garden center, I think V only found one of those varieties in stock. I'll ask which one it was.
Back in the 1970s a couple of studies done with prison inmates found that gardening or taking care of tropical fish had a calming effect. I don't remember the words used by the studies to describe it, but that's how I interpreted the findings. It calmed the anger and frustration common in the incarcerated. So it really is therapeutic.
I liked puttering in the garden as a kid and teenager. Didn't have proper time for it at my first house, then for many years I was in apartments. Over here I've been in houses again, with gardens, and the gardens have been gradually getting more of my attention. Seems to be a good thing.
Prisoners also do well in training wild mustangs and therapy dogs as well as caring for stray cats. The Birdman of Alcatraz kept birds and contributed to scientific understanding of them. I wish more emphasis was put on rehabilitation and less on punishment.
Me too. My mother can cite figures off the top of her head about how much recidivism (re-offending) is reduced by providing prison inmates with training and education. And the very nature of gardening, keeping tropical fish, or training horses or therapy dogs must surely encourage empathy.
It looks spectacular, Bonnie! Kudos to you & V!
Thank you. I think we get the most applause from the insects, birds and spiders. The entire garden was just grass and two hydrangeas in the back when we moved in. Although there are nowhere near as many insects as last year (it's a weird weather year), this morning a flock of maybe twenty birds (starlings I think) swept down onto the front garden, had breakfast and then flew away. It's great.
it all looks lovely and productive. I am jealous, tho grateful for the giant tulip poplar that shades us, even if I can't grow anything.
For 20 years, with the exception of a couple of brief interludes I was in apartments. No garden, so I know how it feels not to be able to have one. But this garden of ours takes a fair bit of work. Couldn't do it if I still had to satisfy a rigid full-tilt work schedule.