I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to Franki and her family. Some of us learned from Franki last Saturday evening,in a post here on Dailykos, that her father had passed away. He was 86 years old and had been ill for some time. She had shared with us two weeks ago news that her father was ill and that his condition was worsening.
Earlier this week, I received an email from Franki informing me that her father's funeral is today (Saturday) and that she would be unable to host her dairy. She asked me if I would be willing to be a guest host; I am honored by this opportunity to help out.
I began participating in Frankenoid's garden diary to meet new friends in the community while discussing an activity that represents a break from politics. It's an educational site where I learn new tips about methods to improve my own garden. I also like sharing images and seeing other participant's garden-related images. But when asked to host this diary, I started thinking about gardening in a larger context. I realized I didn't even know much about the history of ornamental gardening. That is, to whom do we owe tribute for this hobby of ours? To answer this question, I consulted the Wikipedia.
In the West, tomb paintings from ancient Egypt represent the earliest records of ornamental gardening. In the middle east. Babylon (an area covering about 30 sq km about 90 km south of Baghdad in Iraq)) and Persia (Iran) led the way. I remember the Hanging Gardens of Babylon from a childhood encyclopedia as one of the 7 wonders of the world. Another important influence was The Persian paradise garden which
became the foundation of much of the garden traditions of Islam, and later on of Europe. Examples of the paradise garden and its derivatives can be seen today in many of the historic gardens of Islamic and European countries. In the east, the Persian garden gave rise to the Mughal gardens of India, a late example of which is the grounds of the Taj Mahal at Agra.
In the Far East, China is to Eastern civilization what Egypt is to the West. Japan has also been a large influence. Ornamental gardening was introduced to Japan from China (via Korea).
Whereas the early notion of a Western garden was to demonstrate mastery over nature by creating an architectural phenomenon, the Eastern approach was to commune with nature.
The goal of an Ancient Chinese garden
was to provide a spiritual utopia for one to connect with nature, to come back to one's inner heart, to come back to ancient idealism. Chinese gardens are a spiritual shelter for men, a place they could be far away from their real social lives, and close to the ancient way of life, their true selves, and nature. This was an escape from the frustration and disappointment of the political problems in China.
I can identify with this concept of a garden (if we agree to make it coed), but I have to admit, the same description could apply to ice fishing. Minnesota has a short growing season and long winters that are associated with cases of "cabin fever." Cabin fever can cause arguments and irritability and its cure sometimes requires one or more members of a household to leave home during the dead of winter. Ice fishing can be part of a treatment plan, so I'm told.
Last week we discussed peonies. The Chinese associated peonies with wealth. In my garden, Peonies are still blooming and they look great.
But my neighbor's peonies look awful. I see peonies each Spring that were beaten up by the wind, rain and sometimes hail, and this image, unfortunately, is the one that I store as my memory for these flowers.
Last week, several participants recommended commercial frames for supporting peonies. Would they work in this instance?
My neighbor does have great looking lupines; by contrast, ours haven't flowered. Here's a photo of my neighbor's lupines:
Lots of flowers are beginning to bloom in our garden (and the weeds are growing as well), but we have a problem with some of our irises. Several in one patch of the garden are broken off at the point where their stems leave the ground (see image below). I hope someone can help us understand what the source of this problem is. We have seen half-eaten young plants in this same section of the garden. This led us initially to believe that some large creature is smashing them on its way to get a free meal from young plants located more toward the center of the garden. Rabbits, groundhogs, and racoons all hangout in our neighborhood. But looking closely at the plants, they appear rotted at their base, and I observed some dark spots on a few leaves. We began this garden at a location where a large tree was removed, and a significant portion of the stump probably remains in the ground. Perhaps the soil doesn't drain well in this spot or the root growth is restricted. I'm not too worried about Irises -- they are tough -- but if anyone has any experience with this problem, please let me know.
Last Thursday severe weather was predicted so I brought all of my sensitive potted plants, herbs and the 4-ft tall plumeria, into the house. It was sunny all day and the storm bypassed us. Better safe than sorry.
That's what's happening here. What's happening in your garden (or, if you are like me, your neighbor's garden)?