Monday, March 17, 2008

Brown thumb

On my list of things I would want, if I could have anything, a talent for gardening is in the top ten. My grandfather was a fantastic gardener. He could make almost anything grow. He didn't spend a lot of money on plants or garden design. He just put things where they would grow. When he had a spot that needed a plant he'd create one. I once watched him take a 5 inch branch and turn it into a new, blooming rose bush. Yes, it took months but it was still magic. His gardens were practical but beautiful. Alas, I don't seem to have inherited his talent, but I do have a great appreciation for beautiful gardens. Which means that as spring approaches I get more and more distressed by the mucky yard outside my backdoor.



My dream




My reality

Not only am I short on talent, I'm seriously lacking space. To make matters worse my dog thinks her job is to protect me from daisies. Last summer she dutifully attacked every single plant I put in the ground. But for some reason all of these things just don't keep me from flipping through seed and plant catalogs! So, here for your entertainment, are a few plants I would plant if I could plant a garden that grew....




Oddly enough, I find myself attracted to the cool, new, brown plants that are showing up in trendy nurseries. Perhaps it's so there isn't as far to fall? "Why yes, that plant is supposed to have brown leaves... isn't it lovely? No, it's not dead..."









The beautiful pictures are courtesy of Jackson & Perkins

7 comments:

Don Mills Diva said...

Oh I would love to have a green thumb too - my husband is just like your grandfather - a whiz with plants.

nicrogers said...

Hey Gina, look on the bright side, a small yard means an easier to manage garden.

I too wish I had a green thumb. Or greener thumb as I am not horrible. I just haven't got the whole design aspect down.

This summer I am planning to enlarge my vegetable garden. I also want to add some more herbs as well. Unfortunately, the best spot in my yard is exactly where the swing set is. And Brooks still uses the swing set on a fairly regular basis-so I haven't quite figured out where I am going to place the new and improved garden. I just know I need to get it figured out soon. And I want to can a lot this year rather than just freezing.

Taylor said...

Hey, you're not that bad! Remember the garden in Edmunds? =]

Courtney said...

I wish I had a gardening gift too. I am trying it out this year for the first time with Zinnias and Bachelor Buttons.

Wait, did you say brown leaves are in?

Mrs. G. said...

I wish I had inherited my grandmother's green thumb. I didn't and my gardening is restricted to the confines of a flower pot.

Karen MEG said...

What lovely photos; I so wish I had a green thumb too, but alas, I'm pathetic. My hubs checks all the plants as soon as he gets back from his work trips because he knows 9 times out of ten I've killed them.

dkuroiwa said...

Dream vs. Reality...and really sad game we play huh? :-D
I play it all the time, though!

I do love the colors of those flowers you picked!!! Wow!! They would look so pretty anywhere!! My husband is also the 'green thumb' in our house...he says I have a 'black thumb'!! If it will survive being ignored and forgotten, then that is the plant for me! Which is why I had many different kinds of cactus all over my apartment!!!