Sunday, 18 March 2007

From a different perspective.






Before the extension hook ladder was taken down from the roof of the barn, I took the opportunity to climb to the top and perch on the ridge to take some aerial views of the garden while it was still in its infancy. The photographs are interesting reminders of the early stages of the garden, since the height and foliage of the mature trees in Summer would now obscure any such delineation.

To my eye, looking at these pictures from fourteen years ago, everything looks so formal and pristine with fresh clean lines and no weeds on the paths around the beds. Nowadays, however, insects, bees and birds bring life to the garden by visiting the flowers which are allowed to spill onto the paths, creating an air of complete informality. Tall trees and shrubs add their own architectural beauty, and the bustling life in and around the ponds brings its own special magic, giving the mature garden a sense of harmony and romance, and, above all, calling for a gentle plea for chaos.

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12 comments:

  1. martin18 March 2007 at 11:36:00 GMT

    You're garden is wonderful, how lucky you are to be able to have a wander with a mug of tea or a glass of wine amongst such beauty. I don't think I will get a garden the size of your's in Sussex,but I hope to have one of a decent size.

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  2. Naturegirl18 March 2007 at 11:48:00 GMT

    The aerial view of your garden is spectacular! You are living my dream to have that size of a garden! Mine is quite small however I have managed to make it a sanctuary for myself natureboy and all of natures visitors!I am so pleased that you made a connection with me and I agree we do have similar interests.I shall bookmark your site and return.Happy gardening..wishing you the best of luck in ~my gifts draw~..hugs NG

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  3. A wildlife gardener18 March 2007 at 12:12:00 GMT

    Martin, thank you for these lovely comments. If you lived nearby you'd be welcome to come and have a glass of wine any day...it would need to be indoors today, though, as we had a heavy fall of snow here this morning. Everything looked so pristine. I'm definitely going to get my elder son to help me add 'a photo a day' to my blog so that I can show what it looks like each day. I'm writing the story of how we created a garden for wildlife, so daily ones only fit in at the moment if I happen to be describing that particular flower, creature, weather etc.

    Nature Girl, you are right in that I am living my dream as I always wanted to live in the countryside and have a garden which all the indigenous wildlife would want to visit or make their home. All the wild creatures, even lowly worms and snails are welcome in my garden. Without them it would only be a place for plants, whereas they bring everything to life and their presence gives the garden a touch of magic. Living in harmony with nature is the raison d'etre of my garden, for I am a nature lover.

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  4. Gotta Garden18 March 2007 at 14:36:00 GMT

    I just love that picture of Jaffa on the thyme! You have an alpine collection? And, those poached eggs...how glorious they were in that picture! What a treat your pictures are on a cold day!

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  5. A wildlife gardener18 March 2007 at 15:11:00 GMT

    Gotta Garden...Jaffa is very sphinx-like, isn't he? We have alpines in our scree bed.The poached egg plants take over that path while they are in bloom. I wait till they form seed, save it till the next year, then clear the debris for the compost. Thank you for your inspiring comments.

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  6. Z18 March 2007 at 18:16:00 GMT

    Gorgeous. If anyone could turn my head from vegetables, it's you.

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  7. RUTH18 March 2007 at 21:53:00 GMT

    It is lovely to look back on ones garden of years gone by and see the changes. Looking forward to your photo a day; have you thought about starting a seperate blog just for them?

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  8. Gowri19 March 2007 at 06:07:00 GMT

    Dear Wildlife Gardener,

    it's such fun looking at your garden.I love the ponds and the patches of green everywhere - it's beautiful.

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  9. A wildlife gardener19 March 2007 at 08:07:00 GMT

    Z,
    You are very inspiring with all the different vegetables you are growing...and even a new bed awaiting still more...I'm swithering...

    Ruth,
    Good idea, thank you, and one which I think would be a lot simpler for me to achieve.

    Thalia,
    You are such an encouraging friend, thank you.

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  10. Green thumb19 March 2007 at 09:45:00 GMT

    How satisfying it is to see a garden pass thru various stages as the human life especially when you have tended to it and seen it metamorphose into a beautiful young 'face'. Congratulations dear wildlife gardener for having had the experience!

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  11. Iowa Gardening Woman19 March 2007 at 23:36:00 GMT

    Beautiful photos as usual! I love the one with the dusting of snow. What is mothering sunday? Is that like Mother's Day we have here in the US?

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  12. A wildlife gardener20 March 2007 at 07:25:00 GMT

    Green Thumb,
    It is a lovely feeling to see the garden now in its mature stage, but also lovely to look back to when it was full of wild flowers. Thank you for your generous comments.

    Iowa Gardening Woman,
    Mothering Sunday is the same as Mother's Day, but in the US yours is later in the year. I love your photos too!

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