What kind of garden???

OK, I had someone on another forum ask me what kind of garden I have. I was a bit stumped and asked her to clarify. She asked if it were a cottage garden? Woodland? Meadow? Rock? Sun? Shade? Etc.

Um, I don't know. I'm still putting it together. We're just starting our second spring in this house, and I'm still figuring things out. For example, I was putting together woodland, shade tolerant plants under some deciduous and evergreen trees until storm damage required we remove those trees. Now the area is full sun. I'm kind of going haphazard there now.

Honestly, I'm not thinking much about combinations at this point. I'm just rejoicing in finally having a garden where I can plant sun-friendly plants (never had that). So I'm plopping down any plant that I like and would work in that site. Daylilies. Coneflowers. Yarrow. Salvia. Hydrangea (in a slightly shadier spot).

Why those? Because I like them! If I have to move them someday b/c they don't work, so be it. I think the colors I have will work OK together, but I don't really know. Could look like a clashing mess, lol.

Sure, I've looked at gardening magazines and examples, but when it came down to it, I just wanted to have fun.

I'm I totally crazy? It's OK. Be honest. ;)

If you're crazy, there are alot of people in there with you :) When I was still doing my outside garden, I didn't worry too much about anything other than.. "do I love this color/plant/flower?" If the answer was yes, in the ground it went! Wasn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it, other than I wanted tons of color!
I definitely learned by trial and error LOL..

Sounds to me that if you have to put a label on your garden, a Sun garden with areas of Shade should cover it! ^_^

Ok, I'm being very irreverent here.. did you notice? :)

Wander over to the Winter Sowing threads.. it'll save you a lot of money on plants and it's FUN to do :)
Happy gardening!
Chris

I'm the same way--I have one area of my garden that's a bed of only California natives, but the rest of the garden is a mix of stuff I liked that was planted wherever I could fit it. (and honestly the only reason the natives are together is that they don't need any summer water and the rest of the garden does need some).

Gardening is a process,meaning you are never done.I think everyone generally grows plants that they like.In time,you will find that some plants don't do well where you planted them or they become invasive.One day you will look at your garden.You will ask yourself,how come nothing is blooming in this part of the garden.I lived in my house 20 plus years.I move plants all the time.Add plants and get rid of plants.A couple of years ago.I bought a book on perennial plant combinations.I was amazed.Most of the plants in the book,I was already growing.I just didn't have them planted together,like in the book.I tried some of the ones in the book.Other photos,I liked mine better.There are no rules,really.Grow what you like and garden any style you choose.When non-garden people view my yard.The common reply is "this looks like too much work.I would never want to take care of all this."My thoughts are,who is asking you too and I enjoy it,so why do you care?Have fun and try new things.Never be afraid to try something different.Your garden is an extension of your personality.So grow with it.Edge

When asked that question, my response is "a work in progress still seeking definition" GRIN

Each of your responses made me smile. Many thanks!

My garden is 20 years in progress. It is simply My Garden. Tho i've been guilty of calling it a kaotic(SP) cottage garden. It is mostly shade and now has 40 containers of Daylillys.I plant what i want where i think it will grow. It is a hodge podge of color,texture and heights,with angel statuary. We kinda fit each other.Except for the angels.LOL

I have a very cottagey type feel to some of my gardens, but I am a BIG planner when it comes to new garden. We bought this house almost 6 years ago and it was a complete blank slate with some areas that needed to be overhauled( have no idea what the former owners where thinking with some of the things they did) If I have the funds I would love to have every type of garden in my backyard, with winding paths thru each area...ahhhh to dream

Yes, gardens are always evolving. The cottage garden is designed to be more informal and I like that concept. You should feel comfortable walking through a garden, not as if you're on an architectural tour. If you pick the plants and colors you like, it will all come together. We have a big shade garden under a maple tree, plus some more dramatic rose garden areas and they all go together somehow-- or we just end up moving them around every few years! As you plan yours, think about fragrance and butterflies-- each can add a nice effect. Here's more on the butterfly garden:

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/bring-natural-beauty-to-your-yard-with-a-butterfly-garden.shtml

My wife with stick this kind of flower in a bed, then something completely different. When she gets through, I'll think my soul this will look terrible. Then it starts blooming and blooming and blooming and the whole thing is beautiful. She is either lucky or knows some stuff that I don't have a clue about.

Good to see you again Jim. Are'nt we all a little bit lucky and gain knowledge every year. Think thats the defination of a gardener.LOL
Vickie

You are so right Vickie. Good to see you, too.

Hullo gramps n peeps!

I just asked my father-in-law about this same thing (he lives in retirement-ville with lawns you'd swear were sprayed on they're soooo freakishly straight, not a blade of grass astray). He says, "weh-hell, you like plants in yer garden- i like mah lawn an mah CONCRETE. Low maintenance. There." [harumph!] "so i guess you could call it a 'minimalist garden'..." oh he was serious. i just stared at him. he stared back and says, "what?" ^_^

My DH and I just dug up the last 3 plants (actually 15 yr old rose trees) out of his "yard" cos he don wan nuthin to do with them things no mo' (all the prunin and waterin and mowin around them thorny thangs) ^_^. So I adopted them and hopefully they don't croak...

chezca,Go Girl! You have done your good deed for the year.
Your FIL does'nt have a yard he has a living outdoor carpet.LOL

Hi Chezca, Good on your for rescuing the plants.