Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Time to mingle? Getting it right in naturalistic planting with perennials


'Intermingling' has become the buzzword of the moment in planting design. Here is a piece I wrote for the Ecological Landscaping Alliance e-newsletter......

    I remember, back in 1996 showing the late James van Sweden around a public garden project I was working on at the time, over here in England. I was trying out an approach that intermingled the perennials I was using, rather than using the block planting which was customary at the time. He was sympathetic but very definite that “the American public aren't ready for this”. Things must changing, as the idea of creating mixes or blends seems be gaining ground – the concept is key to the kind of naturalistic design promoted by Tto homas Rainer and Claudia West's Planting in a Post-Wild World.
to read more turn to the ELA newsletter here.

3 comments:

Grumpy Hobbit said...

Noel,
I really enjoyed this piece, and after last year's workshop with us, and CT's recent visit, we bought the Rainer /West book. And loved it - at least the first half, before it gets a bit installation/ designer orientated. The concepts of taking lessons from natural diverse plant ecosystems, and applying them to garden design is very thought provoking. My only criticisms are that design schemes used to illustrate the ideas ignore many of the challenges of growing in wet, mild climates, such as West Wales, where continual weed germination and slug problems are paramount concerns. Using local natives within both temporal and physical layering is helpful in this regard. The other point is that most of these schemes seem to major on design effects in late spring to autumn - I guess reflecting more continental type climates. If you aim to have year round garden interest in our maritime fringe clinate, I think more emphasis on spring bulbs and shrubs is helpful - only passing mention is made of these plant groups.
Finally I have personally gained huge inspiration from local wildflower meadow ecosystems - but without most of the grasses in a garden setting, since they can be invasive and create messy effects.
I just wish that this book and these ideas were available/more widely discussed years ago!

But overall I would concur that such design ideas can make more interesting gardens which break the mould of completely unnatural single block plantings, and done well can even reduce time and effort on maintenance - something most ageing gardeners would value!( Though I think R&W's attempted distinction between maintenance and management was a little artificial.)
Best wishes
Julian

Grumpy Hobbit said...

Noel,
I really enjoyed this piece, and after last year's workshop with us, and CT's recent visit, we bought the Rainer /West book. And loved it - at least the first half, before it gets a bit installation/ designer orientated. The concepts of taking lessons from natural diverse plant ecosystems, and applying them to garden design is very thought provoking. My only criticisms are that design schemes used to illustrate the ideas ignore many of the challenges of growing in wet, mild climates, such as West Wales, where continual weed germination and slug problems are paramount concerns. Using local natives within both temporal and physical layering is helpful in this regard. The other point is that most of these schemes seem to major on design effects in late spring to autumn - I guess reflecting more continental type climates. If you aim to have year round garden interest in our maritime fringe clinate, I think more emphasis on spring bulbs and shrubs is helpful - only passing mention is made of these plant groups.
Finally I have personally gained huge inspiration from local wildflower meadow ecosystems - but without most of the grasses in a garden setting, since they can be invasive and create messy effects.
I just wish that this book and these ideas were available/more widely discussed years ago!

But overall I would concur that such design ideas can make more interesting gardens which break the mould of completely unnatural single block plantings, and done well can even reduce time and effort on maintenance - something most ageing gardeners would value!( Though I think R&W's attempted distinction between maintenance and management was a little artificial.)
Best wishes
Julian

Friko said...

Came here by accident, idly clicking on next blog.

After having had a two year hiatus - voluntarily - from gardening, I have recently rediscovered my love for it. I can’t do what I once did, for various reasons, but the little I can do, I do gladly again. Of course, gardens change, mine certainly does now, being turned to shrubs rather than my erstwhile splendid herbaceous borders.. I have some garden assistance, which helps greatly.

I also saw your recent post on the catastrophe of Brexit, which is rather unusual for someone living in the borders, like I also do. I am in a very rural community in Shropshire and I am sure most people were/are leavers (except for incomers like me and my circle of friends).

I’ve joined your followers to see if you have any good tips for me.