Monday, November 23, 2020

Exploring the contradiction: WWTT and being Fearless

Today I want to talk about the many WWTT (what were they thinking) posts I’ve done here on the blog, and how the premise of WWTT may seem to contradict the subject of my book, Fearless Gardening

The book’s introduction begins with these words… I want to inspire you to look at plants differently and see your garden through new eyes—to treat gardening as an adventure, to embrace the freedom to explore a new type of plant, and then to plant it just because you want to. Why not surround yourself with plants you love? Who cares if they’re not supposed to be planted together, might eventually crowd each other, or aren’t everyone’s cup of tea? It’s your garden and you should love it; you should be having fun. 

Back in 2010 I introduced my WWTT posts with these words: Do you ever find yourself looking at a landscape and wondering “what were they thinking?” …you can see someone really put thought and consideration (as well as time and money) into what you’re looking at, but you just don’t get it. Really, what were they thinking? 

I know my neighbors surely wondered what I was thinking, when we removed our front lawn, spread gravel mulch and planted—with mostly small 1-gallon sized pots. I had a plan, but I doubt it was evident. And in fact nature had another plan since this "version" was laid flat by a harsh winter two years later, just as it was finally starting to look like something.
 
Yep, that's my front garden! Back in 2006

I finished my first WWTT post with: “They must be having a hell of a time putting this together” and a commenter then wrote: “… I say the same thing you do: if they love doing it, more power to 'em. They're just wavin' their flag a little higher than others. Awesome.” 

Over the years the WWTT posts have inspired a lively conversation and I’ve been amazed at the things people respond favorably too, like this method of trimming of a phormium I ran across in the Bay Area, proving there is no right way to garden...


However, one of my favorite comments on the WWTT series is this one: “I just can't find it in me to criticize especially when I think about all the mistakes I have made over time. They are starting something and even that tiny effort counts.” Exactly. We all make mistakes, doing, trying, experimenting is the important thing. 

My own garden has been the subject of a few WWTT posts (photo below for example) and as I wrote on one of them; “I think WWTT moments exist in all of us, at least those who are engaged with our gardens.” 

This seemed like a good idea at the time...

What constitutes a good garden (or a great plant) is different for everyone, after all, there is no right way to garden. It's also important (I feel) to recognize part of gardening fearlessly is accepting that not everyone is going to like what you create—they may even ask What Were You Thinking?—and that's okay. It get's the conversation started!

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Weather Diary, Nov 22: Hi 47, Low 34/ Precip .04" 

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. I did a double take when I realized the first photo was of your garden... it seems not one of those one gallon plants is still in existence. Any garden that starts with only small plants will look awkward for a while, till they beef-up. I also noticed how my own preferences shifted over time and I evolve, just like my garden.

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    1. You're close to being right. There are a couple of Dasylirion wheeleri in there that are still going, and quite large now!

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  2. I still have problems with what looks to me like plant mutilation but I agree that a willingness to experiment is key both to learning how to garden and to enjoying one's garden. The mistakes are quickly forgotten but those successes are what makes a garden special.

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    1. A couple of comments down PageMe mentioned the painted succulents at the big box stores... definitely not something I can support, ever!

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  3. What a wonderful paragraph with which to introduce your book. It's taken me a few years to embrace the idea of taking on gardening experiments w/o caring what other people might think, but how freeing it is. Your garden is one of my valued inspirations. Thank you for showing its beginnings!

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    1. Thank you Ragna for your continued support!

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  4. Great to see your garden before it became the glory that it is!
    Not a landscape WWTT, but being in Lowes the other day reminded me...WHY do stores sell those succulents that have been spray painted in gaudy colors?? Who buys those and thinks they're cool? Ack!

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    1. Those succulents! I couldn't agree more, they are just a horrible creation all around.

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  5. Well said. The great thing about everyone having a different aesthetic, is it's what makes going on garden tours so much fun. Too much of the same, no matter how gorgeous and well grown, soon gets boring.

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    1. Great point! Oh how I miss garden touring...

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  6. My entire garden is "WWTT". Since few people see it, it shouldn't matter, but sometimes when I long to share it with others but realize they probably won't get it, I feel sad, and it's not just the wild design. I have a homemade phallic fountain, but I live in the Bible belt. When I showed it to one person here for the first time ever, she wouldn't allow her 20-something grandson to work with me alone. I think she thought I was going to seduce him or something. I would never do that. Oh well.

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    1. Oh how I wish I could tour your garden, it sounds fantastic ("wild design")... as for your friend, seriously?!

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  7. Most of us learn by doing, and I have made plenty of mistakes (and continue to do so) as I make my way up the learning curve. The process is the most important point!
    I'm amazed how different your house and garden look after just 14 years. I've been here for 30 and it is totally unrecognizable as the same property as the one we moved into.

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    1. Isn't it fabulous to look back over the years are see just how much has changed? How much work you've done?

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    2. I'd say planting trees and shrubs in what was once a big open yard has had the most impact. The maples are 40' tall now! I got tired of mowing all that lawn, so a lot has reverted to meadow, which saw a noticeable uptick in wildlife. Now turning your lawn to wild native plantings is all the rage, for that very reason, it supports the local ecosystem.

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  8. Good points. I don't know where to start with an intelligent comment ;-) , except to say that I agree. The WWTTs are interesting, but what's even more amazing is when my results greatly exceed my planning or my expectations. Or when I happen across a garden plot or a natural setting that come as a great surprise in their incredible, unexpected beauty.

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    1. Isn't that wonderful? When something I didn't plan then becomes one of my favorite parts of the garden it's magic. Of course then there are also the ideas I have that completely flop!

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    2. I second Beth's response. I love when my garden outperforms my intentions and my skills.

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  9. I can't count the times I have asked myself WWIT. It makes me more tolerant of those times when I think WWTT. ha..

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