I see quite a strong association on the forum between old memories of gardens and the flowers people have come to hate. People tell me they hate begonias and marigolds and pelargoium because they remind them so strongly of naff planting their grand/parents had, or municipal beds. My parents weren't gardeners and I didn't know my grandparents so I don't have much in the way of historical comparisons. I find red pelargonium cheery; I enjoy hypericum and daffodils and roses and trailing begonias.
I would be wary of fashions. Fuchsia seem very off-trend and pretty much any bedding plant.
I might have said earlier that I find it odd to have a garden full of things from far away, chosen because they are 'exotic' looking. Bananas, palms, fatsia. Like we always want to be somewhere else. It seems sad to me, in a way; like have gardens full of 'English roses' in Japan. Maybe all gardens are a fantasy.
But are roses english? I thought they came from Central Asia. An English cottage garden I can understand but rose gardens are common in many countries I’d have thought.
I dislike things that don’t die even after pulling them all up or cutting them down. Like snow berries bushes and ash trees. And spiky things like Mahonia.
I don't like pompom Dahlias or chrysanthemums, Bergenias,but I might change my mind, you never know. I have shrubs plants I used to hate. Same with decorating. I look back and shudder at carpets, colours,and patterns we had 30 years ago
@Nanny Beach Was just going to post my dislike of Bergenias and read your post above! I think the leaves are ugly and the flowers not up to much. I have about five of them and want to dig them up but keep putting it off in case I change my mind. Whilst there is room for them I will leave them be.
like have gardens full of 'English roses' in Japan. Maybe all gardens are a fantasy.
But are roses english? I thought they came from Central Asia. An English cottage garden I can understand but rose gardens are common in many countries I’d have thought.
That's why "English roses" are in quotes. There a group of newer cultivars that take that title.
Bergenias were what inspired this thread! After removing a garden full of them that had been in place over 40 years! I've never seen so many snails 🐌 😳 in all my life!!!
I have a big patch of bergenia but it’s in a place that nothing but Hebes seem to grow, (apart from ground elder) it’s in complete shade, and the down pipe empties straight into it.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
It's not the plants themselves @Lyn it's the snails they house that eat all the other plants!! I'm now redesigning the customers boarders with mollis and scabious edging instead, she is overjoyed and sees the downside of bergenias now! 😉
Posts
I dislike things that don’t die even after pulling them all up or cutting them down. Like snow berries bushes and ash trees. And spiky things like Mahonia.