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How the Americans see us!

Busy Bee2Busy Bee2 Posts: 1,005
in Talkback
Sometimes it is nice to see ourselves as others see us. My cousin, who lives in America, posted this article about British gardeners, and I thought I would share it with you all!! http://online.wsj.com/articles/weekend-gardener-english-gardens-for-commoners-1403796302
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  • 4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145
    Thanks Busy Bee image Very interesting. Did they come and visit you while over on their visit?
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,409
    Great article - makes me feel a bit quirky image
  • Busy Bee2Busy Bee2 Posts: 1,005
    Oh sorry no - I meant she posted it on Facebook! And I copied it to here - she doesn't know the writer, but is also a keen gardener, who gets a lot of compliments from her American friends about her garden skills. She is coming to visit in July and I am meeting up for a party to celebrate my uncle's 93rd birthday.
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Many Americans envy deeply the British Garden. Even suburban gardens like many of us have are the envy of the average American. My sister who has lived in America for many years always comments on the beauty of many average gardens, even some downright scruffy gardens, saying she wished her and her neighbours could replicate some of the gardens us average gardeners create.

    I know there are many gardeners in the US, but I believe we, the British have a different attitude to our gardens.

    Wealth isn't the key as in the article, it's passion and patience.

    We are different to the US in many ways, as anyone who has been there knows only too well.

    We are a patient people, and that is a quality lacking in much of America.

    Don't get me wrong I admire much in America, but their attitude of now not later contradicts the very key qualities every good gardener needs.

    It's only my opinion, but I know what I know.

  • Busy Bee2Busy Bee2 Posts: 1,005
    Interesting point Dave. OH and I have often looked at American houses and thought how nice it would be to live in something built from clapboard, with a massive verandah, but apart from New England in the Fall, and a lot of suburban bougainvillia in Florida, and some rather creepy trees in the Deep South, I can't honestly think of any horticultural high points in American culture that I would wish to replicate. I always find it rather depressing that they refer to their gardens as 'the yard', which for me, brings back memories of living, as a student, in a two up, two down in Manchester. We really had 'yards' there. I agree that wealth is not a pre-requisite, or at least, only in terms of the amount of land which might be available for you to cultivate. But then again, land is a lot cheaper in the US than it is in England. The cost of raising some impressive perennials for a herbaceous border is by no means prohibitive. Maybe they see the 'hard landscaping' as expensive - I guess it is. Or imagine that gardeners are required, which they aren't if you work out your scheme carefully. I wonder if a British Garden Centre would do a roaring trade over there?
  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    BusyB, I can't access that linkimage

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    artjak, you need to copy and paste it, busy, I've been to what Americans call a garden centre. It was full of the latest gadgets and tools and very short on plants! I was quite stunned and asked my sister if they were all like this, she said they were.

    I know much of America has very different weather conditions to those we are reasonably blessed with over here, extreme's of heat, humidity cold etc, but as nearly all of us gardeners know you work with your conditions and even in the most difficult conditions great gardens can be created.

    I do believe they have. different priorities in life, and taking time to smell the roses isn't one of them. 

  • Georgia Cinq-MarsGeorgia Cinq-Mars Posts: 6
    As an American I don't envy Britsh gardens (much), I admire the British gardener. Gardening is part of your heritage. Farming is part of ours. Here, growing edible planrts is seldom thought of as gardening, even on a small scale. I had never even heard of a kitchen garden till I watched a Britsh gardening show. Thankfully, it is changing our garden clubs are now embracing all gardeners and all types of gardens. I am fortunate to live in the Philadelphia area which was heavily influenced by our British forefathers and remains the horticulture epicenter in this country, although nothing compared to our English counterparts.



    I may have not been completely honest, I do indeed admire British gardeners.



    Having said that, I am an American and a bit competitive and as such I do believe that the Philadelphia Flower Show is the best in the world.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Thank you for that Georgia, I love to hear about what other people are up to in far off lands.

    We could put our whole county into one of your fields I know they are huge. And the machinery to cope is also huge.

    Have you any photos of your garden to share with us.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,887

    methinks The Chelsea Flower Show is not  only the best, but the most famous.

    Devon.
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