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Setting the stage
Gardening is a
theatrical art where the plants are the performers and the walls,
seats and pathways are the props. It’s no coincidence that Shakespeare
included gardens in many of his plays. As gardeners we can play a part
in shaping how the story evolves, transforming our personal green
space into something that makes a statement of how we live.
The most wonderful part
of creating a garden or looking after an existing one is that there
are so many opportunities to let nature do a lot of the work. Left
untended any garden will eventually return to a state of careless
rapture. That’s perfect for wildlife but modern life usually means
having some control so there’s a fine balance to be forged, just like
any friendship. There’s give and take on both sides.
Understanding the rules
Perhaps the Greeks knew
that best since Demeter, the goddess of horticulture and gardens was
also the goddess of law and order! Classical gardens have long been
home to gods and goddesses who would often watch sentinel-like along
avenues of pleached limes or command the focal point in a courtyard
garden.
These mythical
characters of the garden remind us that our relationships with our
gardens are a humble affair. We should work with nature, not seek to
rid them of nature’s influence. Gardens which derive from hard work,
inspired ideas and the fruits of trial and error are a partnership
between the garden owner and the soil which is the heart and soul of
any garden.
Working with the soil is
a sensuous activity. It’s easy to mistakenly think that all soils are
the same. The truth is that soils are as individual as people and
getting to know what type of soil you have will make life easier and
allow you to get the most out of a garden. When you understand the
soil underneath your feet, you’ll realise the potential of what you
can grow. The moment you start to dig, you start to learn.
Twists and turns
Like any good play
gardens should tell a storyline with twists and turns of the plot,
suspense and most of all have characters which grab you visually and
make you want to discover more. When a garden enthrals the eye it’s
easy to fall in love with.
As with theatre, a
simple layout will allow you to make the most of the space. You rarely
see a stage crammed with furniture and a garden should work in the
same way, allowing you to develop scenes within it, often experienced
one after the other, perhaps across a lawn, through an archway and
into an entirely different space with its own individual mood and
atmosphere.
It’s worth remembering
also that gardens exist long after dark. Some of the most enigmatic
gardens can be best seen by moonlight, when plants are draped with a
myriad of shadows and there is a tangible air of mystery, of an oasis
waiting to be explored. Moonlighting is also a type of theatrical
lighting employed on a modern stage to create mood and drama. With a
few carefully placed lights (or candles) you can give the space a
wonderful atmosphere.
The relationship you
have with your garden is a long term one and one which will gently
change and evolve the more you spend time developing it. Don’t be
afraid to try out new things this spring, be it plants or bigger stage
sets which set the scene for your own perfect space.
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