Habitat Garden for Wildlife
I do not personally believe that wildlife gardens are nothing but an ugly, overgrown mess, but you’d be amazed at how many times I hear that from those who consider themselves “real” gardeners.
Unfortunately, the gardening world, like the rest of the country, is full of divisiveness, an US vs THEM attitude that can sometimes be very ugly:
- those liberal lawn police vs the “turfers”
- those native plant lovers vs the “real” gardeners
- those messy wildlife gardeners who wouldn’t know a thing about “proper” design
- those crazy “treehuggers” who care more about the forest than they do about people
The list can go on and on, but it seems pointless, childish, and condescending. It’s time to stop the finger-pointing and name-calling and learn to be a little more respectful. You know, like adults.
To that end, I am only asking two things of all of you:
Please, please, please add some native plants to your garden.
And just as importantly, please stop planting invasive plants.
These two things would make an enormous difference to our local wildlife, to the health of the environment around us, and ultimately to our own health.
And yes, those of us whose priority is the wildlife in our gardens sometimes get a little exuberant with our plants, and maybe we could learn a thing about the rules of good garden design. It’s just that a garden full of birds and butterflies makes us so happy.
And also yes, we could help some of you attract your first hummingbird to your very neat and well-designed gardens.
We have a lot to learn from each other. But none of us can learn anything at all while we are all shouting at each other. So lets all take a deep breath and learn to listen a little.
That’s my Holiday wish for all. Happy Holidays!
I’m ready to listen. Please tell me what you think.
© 2009 – 2010, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Carole, as with most things, I think the answer is to do more listening and less talking. I agree, adults can get along.
When someone insists that they want to plant an exotic plant what are they really saying? Maybe they want their garden to be unique. Maybe they want it to be beautiful. Maybe a garden center, magazine, catalog, TV show or book has shown them a model for a garden that they want to emulate and they think that’s the way to go.
There is tons and tons and tons of information out there about how to have a beautiful garden full of exotics and annuals and so little about native plant gardening in comparison. Thank you for helping to shift the balance even a little.
People have called me a Treehugger, and I don’t mind that, but it’s not that I care more for trees or wildlife than people. What I care about is balance.
Alison Kerr´s last post ..How Low Can You Go?
Carole, you will probably hate me – I used to be one of those people (who thought natural gardens were messy)!
It’s only recently I’ve come across some really inspiring and well designed natural gardens that have made me want to design in a more natural way.
Have you come across the book ‘The American Meadow Garden’? There are some fabulous natural gardens in there showing great alternative to traditional lawns.
I think you are right to make a call of action for balance opinions and if people do at least compromise and put some thought in, it will make a difference.
I’m glad you take the time to educate everyone to better alternatives and for doing it in an open way that encourages change rather than bashing people over the head with it!
Alison makes a great point about striking a balance – we need to clone you two!
Tell it sister.
Helen Yoest´s last post ..How to Create a Boxwood Topiary for Your Holiday Decorations
{ 1 trackback }