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.

Doing your thing, a garden as a work of individual art

It was December 21st and I was zipping down the avenue—on my way to the Huntington Gardens—as I caught a glimpse of something strange. I pulled over to get a closer look.

This is one of those extra wide hellstrips, and that's a lot of time spent arranging cement pieces.

The spiral circle installation was only the beginning however...

The second section...

And the third...

The fourth section had so much going on that I had to take individual photos of each part of the whole.

Flower A

Flower B

Flower C

Dragonfly A

Flower D, that's my favorite container by the way.

Dragonfly B

Flower E

Flower F

Flower G

Butterfly A

Flower H

Flower I

And last, but not least, Butterfly B.

Here's the only view I found into the back garden, yes that's a little putting green.

I have to admit that my quick glance from the car had me thinking this would be another "WWTT" post (what were they thinking). But the more I walked along the sidewalk and took it all in, the more I was impressed with the individual vision that went into creating this street-side garden/work of art. It's certainly not what I would do if I had this much planting space in San Marino, CA, but hey, so what! If it makes them happy...

Another look as I head back to the car...

There were two personalized sections in the sidewalk...

I wonder who Levi and Leah are? The owners? Kids? Grand-kids?

I only took this one wide shot of the front garden. Leaf-drop was covering most everything, and yes, that is a horse swing made from a tire...

Weather Diary, May 11: Hi 70, Low 52/ Precip .13

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

Shame on you Home Depot!

I had business near Home Depot last week. The same Home Depot where I photographed Agave attenuata for sale at the end of November (here, in case you need a refresher). I couldn't imagine they'd still be there, but I thought "what the heck" and drove by anyway. Oh My God...

What the hell? This is a very sad state of affairs. These plants were tortured, look like death, and you're still trying to sell them?

The one non-Agave attenuata looks great.

But the rest of the bunch. Ugh.

Oh and did you see the big sign at top, $29.98? Looks like the jerks think frozen plants should come at a premium and they upped the price by a buck.

Weather Diary, Jan 13: Hi 40, Low tbd36/ Precip .17"

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

Walls and sandbags at the Annenberg (WWTT™)

While in L.A. we visited The Annenberg Space for Photography. They had an exhibit up called W|ALLS: DEFEND, DIVIDE, AND THE DIVINE — Exploring Barriers, Real and Perceived. Our visit  to the Annenberg was largely based on the fact our L.A. nephew (Andrew's brother and family lives in the area) is—at the age of 14—very into photography. Andrew thought this would be an inspiring place for him to see.

Finding this place was challenging, but once we did I was (of course) immediately drawn to the succulent plantings in the exterior courtyard. In fact when I took this photo (with my iPhone, because pulling out a point and shoot* in a space like this—especially when the 14 year old was toting a seriously large Cannon DSLR—just seemed a little, well, lame) I was looking at the plants in the distance, not the wall.

But the wall is what this post is about. The fake plastic covered wall and the ivy covered sandbags at its base.

What's up with that?

The stripe of lawn is real, I'll give them that. But why make a "green" wall, when you have to cover it with plastic foliage? Wood, cement, so many other materials would have been better. And then there are the sandbags. Sure L.A. has had some rain (see "It never rains in California, but girl, don't they warn ya? It pours, man, it pours") but why sandbags? Poor wall design? Note one of them is leaking...

And then there is the fact someone thought wrapping the sandbags with fake ivy would be an improvement.

What Were They Thinking?

WWTT™

But enough of that disaster, how about those succulents?

Funny how it's the little Agave 'Blue Glow' that's sending up the bloom-spike.

*I reference my point and shoot, funny thing though—okay not so funny really—little did I know at the time, but just days later my trusty camera would up and die. Dead. I loved that camera. It's been reliable for years. I even took photos for my book with it. Yes really. But now I must go camera shopping. I won't be going with a big fancy DSLR, I just have no desire to pack around something that large. I may go with a mirrorless (I threatened to do this awhile back, but just never got around to it) or perhaps just an upgrade to the Sony Cyber-Shot. If you've got any advice or experience along these lines I'd love to hear it.

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Weather Diary, Jan 5: Hi 49, Low 42/ Precip .25

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

Perplexed (WWTT?)

I love it when I'm out for a walk and I come upon a scene that makes me stop and wonder: What Were They Thinking? Yes indeed...this here is a head-scratcher!

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of horsetail, Equisetum hyemale—love the stuff. I also know it can be horribly invasive, so I don't let it loose in the ground. But here they did...

And not just at one corner, but two...

Three...

Four...

And five!

Five corners planted up with the stuff!

I wonder why the other two were left alone? And why right at the corners?

Weather Diary, Nov 20: Hi 58, Low 40/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.