tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post6415620175830950289..comments2024-03-24T12:55:07.300-04:00Comments on grounded design by Thomas Rainer: Spring 2011: What's HOT, What's NOTAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13805682623764800983noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-16666100651675116852011-03-19T09:42:06.404-04:002011-03-19T09:42:06.404-04:00Rosa rugosa is on the potentially invasive list in...Rosa rugosa is on the potentially invasive list in CT so using it in my designs makes me feel like i am breaking a serious taboo. I think it is a handsome plant for difficult sites and agree with the overuse of knockout... so what do others think about this issue?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-31659020800019865782011-03-16T00:11:34.600-04:002011-03-16T00:11:34.600-04:00Benjamin,
Ha, no I'm no plant psychic. What I...Benjamin,<br /><br />Ha, no I'm no plant psychic. What I mean when I say that plants are signifiers is not that one can divine a person's soul from their plant selection, but that plants carry meaning in the same way that clothes carry meaning. For example, I say all the time that I don't care about fashion, yet I still wear clothes and what I wear still communicates content to the world. If I wear jeans and a sweatshirt, it says I want to be comfortable, or I like to be casual, or I don't care about being formal. The meaning is not fixed; in fact, it probably will be interpreted in different ways, some consistent, others not. <br /><br />And that's my point about plants and trends. Of course, it's one thing to disagree with my trend predictions. Truly, what do I know. I was being somewhat obnoxious, anyways. But a lot of people seem to be indignant with the very idea of trendiness and plants. As if the gardening world is above fashion and trends. To me, this is the ultimate silliness; to garden is to express oneself. What plants you choose say something. Neutrality is a myth.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13805682623764800983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-16193369511201464402011-03-13T22:55:42.451-04:002011-03-13T22:55:42.451-04:00Benjamin,
Ha, no I'm no plant psychic. What ...Benjamin,<br /><br />Ha, no I'm no plant psychic. What I mean when I say that plants are signifiers is not that one can divine a person's soul from their plant selection, but that plants carry meaning in the same way that clothes carry meaning. For example, I say all the time that I don't care about fashion, yet I still wear clothes and what I wear still communicates content to the world. If I wear jeans and a sweatshirt, it says I want to be comfortable, or I like to be casual, or I don't care about being formal. The meaning is not fixed; in fact, it probably will be interpreted in different ways, some consistent, others not. <br /><br />And that's my point about plants and trends. Of course, it's one thing to disagree with my trend predictions. Truly, what do I know. I was being somewhat obnoxious, anyways. But a lot of people seem to be indignant with the very idea of trendiness and plants. As if the gardening world is above fashion and trends. To me, this is the ultimate silliness; to garden is to express oneself. What plants you choose say something. Neutrality is a myth.Thomashttp://www.groundeddesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-57886566599025171102011-03-13T12:28:37.034-04:002011-03-13T12:28:37.034-04:00Thomas,
What can you tell from a garden the second...Thomas,<br />What can you tell from a garden the second you walk into their garden? I think you've got a new business venture here, like garden psychologist. I wonder what you'd say in my garden, who you'd think I was, just by the cultivars, arrangement, color, texture. "Oh, he's a recluse alright, and he doesn't like loud noises. He also prefers white socks over brown."Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-29551567538435672762011-03-09T23:44:33.836-05:002011-03-09T23:44:33.836-05:00Thomas,
I just found out about your blog from my q...Thomas,<br />I just found out about your blog from my quiet husband, your former classmate:) Dan DeRosa, wow this is great what a wealth of information...email us at adod@verizon.net so we can catch up in DC please...we're there a lot and I am planning on us moving there too....soon if I have my way about it!!:)hope u will email us...<br />anneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-49910849508806621472011-03-08T11:43:17.671-05:002011-03-08T11:43:17.671-05:00Thomas,
Thanks for the explanation: this subject ...Thomas,<br /><br />Thanks for the explanation: this subject deserves much discussion. I was attempting a mild joke. ; )<br /><br />I agree completely with what you are saying, and for that reason believe that every gardener should have an acquaintance with gardening history (along with art history, social and political history, environmental history, design, botany...)<br /><br />For me, (as a former garden center employee, whose job involved ordering and "pushing" the newest plants), a question might be: what is the difference between fashion and self expression as an organic manifestation and expression of culture; and fashion and desire for novelty as a product manufactured by industry and marketing. In modern society, how do you tell the difference, and should we even try?<br /><br />This is what I like about your blog--makes one think!Adrian Ayres Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057583835126786240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-9685309706979445442011-03-07T23:41:41.270-05:002011-03-07T23:41:41.270-05:00Jill, Lisa, and Adrian,
While I was being a bit d...Jill, Lisa, and Adrian,<br /><br />While I was being a bit dramatic about the trendiness of some plants over others, I do believe that gardens are not immune to trends and fashions. A quick survey of gardening through this last millennium reveals that fashions very much drove garden making. Fashions continue to shape the way we garden. The very conventions of the American garden (the lawn, "foundation planting," the curving plant bed) are all fragments, or more precisely, trends, that we have borrowed consciously or unconsciously from other gardens (mostly European).<br /><br />I would argue that all gardening is a form of self-expression. The insertion of self into nature is the essence of what a garden is. That is the art of the garden. Thus, the greater sin is not identifying trends, but being unaware of the trends that shape your garden. Novelty for novelty's sake is tedious. But being unoriginal is worse. Fashions create gardens, even for those who swear that it doesn't. Plants are signifiers. They communicate message and meaning. If you use a plant that every landscaper from Maine to California is using, that says something about your garden--whether or not you intend them to.Thomashttp://www.groundeddesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-58778623193175681112011-03-07T12:13:49.760-05:002011-03-07T12:13:49.760-05:00Fashionable plants...hmm, a new thought for me. ...Fashionable plants...hmm, a new thought for me. ; )<br /><br />I used to have bearded irises until I had one August encounter too many with the dreaded Iris borer, to which so far my Caesar's Brother irises (bought at a supermarket!--how unfashionable is that?) are immune.<br /><br />My favorite low grass is prairie dropseed, but I suppose that's in danger of being overused.<br /><br />Thomas, will you tell us about fashionable shrubs? (Love your attitude and opinions.)<br /><br />@Tami,<br /><br />I agree with Paul W's comments about <i>Agastache rupestre</i>, especially about not cutting back until spring. <br /><br />Also, though it likes good air circulation it seems to require some protection from wind, and a damp winter will harm it.Adrian Ayres Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057583835126786240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-16790966353287570202011-03-07T03:31:34.650-05:002011-03-07T03:31:34.650-05:00Thomas - Living in Paris, with all the madness tha...Thomas - Living in Paris, with all the madness that surrounds fashion week and the endless stress on new fads and trends, I found this article wryly amusing. I know one mum who sneers at parents who let their KIDS wear last season's ranges! She would certainly be ripping coloured heucheras out of her garden.<br />But, as you hint, it is sad when we find the obsession with newness and being on-trend spilling over into gardening. We need to preserve its value as essentially a slow process - the experience of designed landscapes growing and maturing and become more desirable with the patina of age...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-67356457448370360052011-03-05T13:52:48.663-05:002011-03-05T13:52:48.663-05:00Hilarious! I love how even in something that seems...Hilarious! I love how even in something that seems as "uncool" as gardening, there are still trends and fads. I must admit, I'm pretty steady and tend to be loyal to my faves year after year. I've always had bearded iris and always will...just for the reasons you mention. I agree with the poster above regarding novelty for novelty's sake...is there anything more tedious? That's not to say I don't devour gardening magazines and don't stalk new plants at nurseries ;-) I'm so glad to see people realizing how awesome Agastaches are (something I had only recently discovered myself). 'Ava' is a standout...especially with those colored calyxes...I'm tying 'Blue Blazes', also from HCG this summer...hope it delivers as electric a blue/purple as 'Ava' does pink!scottweberpdxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740930947767329183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-64116540379807670542011-03-05T12:19:29.545-05:002011-03-05T12:19:29.545-05:00I have to laugh, because there's such a funny ...I have to laugh, because there's such a funny part of human nature, that when something becomes "too popular" those who consider themselves "in the know" are obliged to hate it.<br /><br />Having said that, I'll admit that my tiny overgrown yard is planted with every California cliche, and there's precious little room for anything else.<br /><br />Anyone want a couple hundred calla lilies. I'll let you have 'em, cheap.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03932975112078606231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-46726656937200988182011-03-05T07:17:47.900-05:002011-03-05T07:17:47.900-05:00you have a playful sense of humour Thomas, well-wr...you have a playful sense of humour Thomas, well-written article!mike 'hazeltree' thompsonhttp://www.englishrosegarden.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-35408962996632602832011-03-04T21:17:52.759-05:002011-03-04T21:17:52.759-05:00Hmm. This was growing them in Utah - great draina...Hmm. This was growing them in Utah - great drainage on sandy loam soil, reliable snowcover, full sun. Can't remember if I pruned or not. Well, that just means I'll need to try again. Thanks for the tips.Taminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-18121530073974842812011-03-04T13:33:15.358-05:002011-03-04T13:33:15.358-05:00@ tami, many Agastache species and hybrids require...@ tami, many Agastache species and hybrids require excellent drainage, especially in winter, for consistent success. I’ve also been told that pruning them in fall during your regular end of season clean up allows water to enter the crown through the cut stems negatively impacting survivability (same with some Salvia and “hardy” Lantana). I’m not sure that I believe the reasoning exactly, but I have noticed a much higher success rate with Agastache hybrids left unpruned until new growth emerges.<br /><br />Thomas, I’d like to be the first to give you flak about Amsonia hubrichtii :) It’s the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2011! Native, drought tolerant, deer resistant, vole resistant, long lived, pest and disease free, good fall color and, while used in lots of designs, I’d hardly say it’s overplanted. You’re ruthless :) ‘Blue Ice’ IS great though and I recommend everyone take a look at ‘Short Stack’ too. As for new Heuchera – I’m not a fan of new for the sake of new, but many of the new releases are significant improvements over older cultivars especially in terms of survivability for the south. <br /><br />@ Bent, try Panicum ‘Northwind’ for a vertical grass alternative.Paul Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-33240744489113442132011-03-04T13:22:22.417-05:002011-03-04T13:22:22.417-05:00First of all - let me say that I just discovered t...First of all - let me say that I just discovered this blog and, may or may not be 110% smitten. Second, let me say that I agree with everything you said, particularly when it comes to Molinias. They are one of the most amazing things ever. Third, I absolutely must make a case FOR Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'. Yes, I know, it's everywhere - in every median, every corner gas station... it's viral. However, unlike Pennisetum (which I also believe has long overstayed its welcome in most landscapes), I believe Karl still has a crap-ton of potential - people simple don't know how to use it correctly. I can't think of any grass that has such a stunning and sturdy architecture as Karl. I cry that it is misused so often... ok, maybe that's slightly melodramatic - but it's still depressing. Alright, I'm off my soap box. AWESOME BLOG - AWESOME POSTS - AWESOME OPINIONS!bentheboilerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640216536361696595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-66998256296985989872011-03-04T06:22:03.209-05:002011-03-04T06:22:03.209-05:00That was great! My favorite line was 'Dear des...That was great! My favorite line was 'Dear designers, once you see a plant in front of McDonald’s and gas stations, it’s probably time to reconsider whether you should use it.' So true.<br /><br />Bummer about the Amsonia. I've been wanting to try it and now . . . <br /><br />Also, I've tried repeatedly to get into agastache but have not had very good luck getting them to live more than two seasons. They don't seem to reseed either. Anyone else out there had the same problem?Taminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-87054446981474657072011-03-03T17:29:23.386-05:002011-03-03T17:29:23.386-05:00I, too, will stick with my Siberian iris because o...I, too, will stick with my Siberian iris because of the reasons given by jeansgarden, also because I find that in most situations where I garden (zone 8 PNW), it retains beautiful foliage all summer long… which I've not seen with any other iris. And though I personally like rugosa roses, most of my clients have yards too small for them… though I do love them for larger situations. And to ANYTHING 'trendy' I yell, WHO CARES! But it is nice to hear some newer options. However… I refuse to give up my heuchera. You'll have to rip it out of my cold dead hands. :-)Beth Goodnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13172714083606989954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-49830089785193466902011-03-03T13:40:58.783-05:002011-03-03T13:40:58.783-05:00Jean,
Thanks for going with the tongue and cheeki...Jean,<br /><br />Thanks for going with the tongue and cheekiness of the post. I was aiming for playfully obnoxious, but it might just be obnoxious. Anyways, I'm in love with Siberian Irises myself, and the few gardens I installed in Maine, Siberian Irises were unbelievable.Thomashttp://www.groundeddesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-81082302479579209452011-03-03T12:43:26.161-05:002011-03-03T12:43:26.161-05:00This was a fun, Thomas! Let's face it; all gar...This was a fun, Thomas! Let's face it; all gardeners have strong opinions about plants. I have plans to add Amsonia tabernaemontana (both the species and the "Blue Ice" cultivar) to my garden, so at least I can be a little trendy. On the other hand, I'll continue to swear by my siberian irises, which in the cool climate of my Maine garden (they're not named sibirica for nothing!) are tough, drought-tolerant plants that form large clumps and self-sow readily. A Maine gardener friend of mine once divided some siberian irises in fall, left the divisions in plastic bags at the top of the driveway, got distracted, and forgot about them. The following year, after the snow melted, she was reminded they were there when the irises bloomed in their plastic bags! Many of your picks are new plants to me, so I'll check them out. -JeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850578816787718159.post-58660706693339432792011-03-03T09:03:17.947-05:002011-03-03T09:03:17.947-05:00Rosa rugosa has an enormous array of cultivars tha...Rosa rugosa has an enormous array of cultivars that come in sizes, flower colors, and leaf tones. They like to expand, though, so it's good pick a largish area to give them room to do so...Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08840091370983291016noreply@blogger.com