Favorite Gardener

If you could spend the day with one gardener; one gardener you have always thought special. Who would that be?

A morning walk among his/hers garden. Lunch under a shade tree. Afternoon conversation with no specific agenda.

I have my favorite, who is yours?

I don't know if she would be my all time favorite but a gardener whose philosophy I've always admired is Cassandra Danz- known to her readers as Mrs. Greenthumbs. I was saddened to read recently in Country Living Gardener of her death. I always thought she would be a great person to meet -knowledgable but full of fun!I also have a few from Dave's garden I'd love to meet - who knows, that dream might come true!! MW

You know - that would be a difficult decision with all the choices we have on DG. I am so fortunate to be near Horseshoe - and he graciously lets me visit on occasion. Then there's all the rest of the folks here - people like MaVieRose, and Cala, and the people posting on these threads.... hands down though - if I were given the chance to spend one day with my most favorite gardeners - it would be my Mom, Grandmother and my Uncle Freddie. I could'nt do just one - I'd have to do all three - these are the folks who passed the gardening bug along to me. I miss them, love them very much, and treasure the legacy that they have left to me.

I would like to spend a day with the head gardener at Disney World in Orlando. The gardens are always magnificent and the Topiaries are the best I've ever seen. A person couldn't help but pick up a few great tips.

poppysue

TiG, I've been there, it's worth the trip!!

Kikisdad,

I just read in the newspaper this past week that the original head gardener of Disneyland (and all of them) passed away. He created all of the lovely topiaries around the grounds and especially the ones at "It's A Small World). They commented on the trees he planted and why certain species were used, to give the customers a place to sit in the shade. Even though he had retired, he was still asked his opinion for many things. It was a very fascinating obituary.

Bill, I can't say that I have anyone special that I admire as a gardener, other than many of the DG family here, but I think it would be fun to have lunch with Paul James...the gardener guy.

Donna

Oh SoCal, wouldn't lunch with Paul James be a hoot? I love his shows.

I have been thinking about this thread, but haven't posted until now, since the choices are so hard as everyone has so much to offer. I have catagorized my priorities and come up with my choices, and they would be:

1) Any or all of these DG'ers who are so smart about heirlooms, which has become my passion: Melody, Brook, Shoe and the others on the heirloom forum.

2) Any DG member!!!! I would just love to meet a fellow Dave's Garden gardener!

3) Like Donna said, Paul James for lunch would be a hoot! He's so funny.

Wow, the Gardener Guy, for lunch. This might turn into a food throwing contest.

I have only been a member of DG for a few weeks and already I can think of several members I would enjoy visiting. What a diverse group we have at DG. And contrary to other forums, no big egos. When we vacation, we should plan on visiting at least one other member.

To have spent the day with Eleanor Perenyi is something I have thought about before. On the back of her book "Green Thoughts", is a picture of Eleanor sitting on a garden bench turned to face the camera over the garden fence. Cigarette in hand, as we used to see pictures of writers years ago. Again in the pic her garden is beautiful; obviously 'homemade'. What draws me to this choice is her resemblance to my grandmother. Tough, no nonsense, opinionated; with a heart of gold. To have read Eleanor is to know her.

Anyone passing through here is surely welcome to stop for a chat.

If I had to choose from any of the professionals, then I think I would like a day or two out with Alan Titchmarsh, from the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/index.shtml .

On the other hand, if I had to choose from our DG experts, then I would have to make up my mind between Baa, Mark, Poppysue, Calalily, Weezingreens, and MaVieRose.

Experts all, and pleasant at all times on DG.

All the best

Wintermoor

Without a doubt it would have to be Tony Avent!Hosta's and Humor, it would make for a GREAT DAY!!!!!!
sue

Evert. Then while I'm over in Europe, I would want to see those English gardens Baa talks about. I would want to go to a round-up at Wintermoor's. And have tours of all the other countries, especially Italy!

When I was a child We had a neighbor named Mr. Jackson. He was known in our farming community as a wonderful gardener. I remember as a child visiting his home and he pointed out to me something and asked if I knew what it was? I didn't. It was celery. I didn't know you could grow that here. Hmmm , interesting. He had white grapes with little brown bags tied over the clusters of grapes so the insects wouldn't bother them. Who knew there were big pink or yellow tomatoes or a yellow watermelon? He delighted in trying something different than the rest of us.
One hot summer day he called my Dad and asked if we would like some watermelons and cantaloupe. He had more than he ever knew what to do with. Dad hitched the wagon on our old farmall tractor and off we went. He lived on the farm next to where I lived as a child. We crossed the creek and over the flat creek bottom land to the watermelon patch. Dad pulled his pocket knife from his pocket and cut open several of the melons and we ate the heart out of them. Then we filled the wagon with melons. It was a truly wonderful day.
Mr. Jackson was a hired hand on this neighboring farm. When the neighbor sold the farm they tore down the old house. After about 28 years these people decided to sell the place and Hubby and I had the opportunity to buy it. The yard where Mr. Jackson lived grows an apple tree and persimmon trees. One of my Hubby's friends from work wanted to live there. He moved in a mobile home and settled in. He grows wonderful tomatoes and will knock on our door asking if we will please take some.
I have known and still know many wonderful gardeners. But hands down my choice for the best would be Mr. Jackson.

KathyJo what a wonderful memory of Mr. Jackson. We can never realize the impression we leave with young people.

This message was edited Sunday, Aug 18th 11:32 AM

Aside from all the people on DG, I suppose the people I admire aren't gardeners as such BUT have a great deal to do with our current gardens.

I'd like to have met the plant hunters and naturalists like Robert Fortune, Ernest 'China' Wilson, the John Tradescants, Sir Joseph Banks, Frank Kingdon Ward, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque and oh so many others.

It's due to these people and many, many others that our gardens are so rich today. It's easy to forget some of the hardships and danger these people went through in the name of botany and scientific research, going deep into, then, unknown and sometimes hostile lands.

The age of plant hunting may be dwindling but it's by no means at an end, there are still people out there climbing distant mountains and trekking through forests finding new species which may one day prove to be a cure for a currently untreatable ill or sometimes the new star of a rock garden.

Also I'd like to have met George Russell of Lupin fame, and people like him who have devoted a large part of their lives to the improvement of the plants we grow. Without people like Russell (who didn't earn much money from his breeding work but obviously gained much pleasure) these plants would still be relegated to the wildflower garden or simply not grown at all.

Any and all of these people are the true heros of the modern garden in my eyes and deserve a thought ot two when passing a descendent of the plants the discovered or bred.

What I would give for 1 day in the garden with grandma.
She passed away a few years ago, and i was never able to do the adult garden thing with her. I have many fond memories of her gardens (guess they would be considered cottage?) with tons and tons of shasta daisys.
Jen

Jen, I have to agree. I moved quite a distance from my grandma when I got married, and didn't have (make) the time for longer visits that would have allowed me to spend some time in the garden with her. She passed away nearly 10 years ago, and I still miss not being able to ask her advice on a lot of topics, including gardening.

Other people I'd like to spend a day with? Hands down: Ruth Stout - what a woman she must have been. Elizabeth Lawrence for her knowledge of gardening in the south.

From here, I'd have to say Baa, Poppysue and Kathleen - what a fun day that would be if they could all be together! (I could include Cala in that list, but I *can* spend a day with her, whenever we can spare the time, lucky me!!!) And I'd have to agree with Baa - to spend time with a Robert Fortune or John Tradescant would be time very well spent for sure! And then dinner or even just coffee and dessert with Paul James since his lunch schedule seems to be rather hectic, lolol :)

Going for sentiment, I'd wish for a day with my grandfather, who died almost 50 years ago. He was a county ag agent out west (or midwest) before moving his family to Miami during the Depression. I never knew him well, and only vaguely remember truck gardens, fruit trees and a few flowers. But that man could grow gardenias and night-blooming jasmine... I can still smell them! Times were hard, and food came first. I think he might have much to teach me.

Current professional: I'd like to meet Ken Druse. (Paul James would drive me nuts with his comic faces, but I do watch some of his shows.)

Here on DG, I'd opt for Poppysue, Baa and Evert. Following them, almost anyone else here... you all have so much to teach me.

My dad...he loved to garden and did a wonderful job. He was really into vegtables but he also grew the most beautiful roses I've ever seen. And I can't grow a rose for anything. Here on DG??? Just about everyone!

My mom-to go back and weed the garden with her for just one day would be the best day of my life! Miss you mom!

Shoot - you guys! I'm flattered but I'm afraid you'd all be disappointed here. My gardens have become a mess these last couple of years. Since DG came along I don't keep them up like I should. Too much time on the puter!! See what you all have done to me! It'd be fun to spend a day with any of our DGers chatting garden talk. I'd really love to walk down the alley at Monika's place in Germany when the brugs are at their peak =)

For a day with ANYONE - I'd love to get a day back to spend with my sister. She passed away at an early age but even when she was ill, & didn't have the strength to plant her garden, I was out there helping her as she sat on the bench and directed me what to move and where to dig. It's funny cuz we often didn't see eye to eye when it came to plants & gardening. I remember that day we argued about the mint she had taking over. I wanted her to get rid of it but she INSISTED on keeping a small piece -LOl. She turned me on to gardening and was my gardening confidant. We'd share the seedlings we grew, took trips to public gardens, and share our plants with each other. We dried flowers and made herbal crafts together. I guess I really miss her and I haven't had a gardening friend like that since.

okay okay, i'm gonna HAVE to say Martha Stewart, lol...she did have some pretty neat ideas and always had the best looking garden helpers i've ever seen.

I think right off the bat I would love to have met Margery Fish of East Lambrook Manor in Somerset, UK. Reason being is she was one of those wonderful people who did her own thing and not follow the ways and methods of others. When I visited the site, about seven yrs ago..there, present in the garden shop was a woman(much younger, spry, knowledgeable and willing to answer so many of my questions about the great doyenne of English gardening...so that, in itself, was truly a treat! I did purchase two books of M. Fish's..particularly the read "We Made a Garden" Elaine

I echo Dori's thoughts
I wish I could spend a day with my Dad in the garden (he's been gone for 6 years) I cherish all the memories I have as a kid with my Dad in the garden. I can still taste those tomatoes and peaches it will never be the same.

Paul

Lots of wonderful memories here and lots of people to to choose from.

If it wasn't a family member,but someone who made a historical contribution to our passion...it would be Thomas Jefferson.
The grandaddy of all of us heirloomers.

And thanks Joan..you're on my list to meet too!

I'm adding another one: Weezingreens - I would love to see her plants and her state. I've always wanted to take a trip to Alaska anyway, I hear that everything grows so big there because of the long days.

Can you tell that my choices are based on traveling? I would want to combine meeting the gardener with a trip - I guess I'm not answering fairly ....

So many of my trips have been based on wanting to see the gardens of that particular city or country at peak times. I love seeing the things that different cities are noted for but in the long haul it is the gardens that I really love the most. They all still live in my memory long after other museums, buildings, etc. have faded away. I would love to visit with Monet and see his gardens in all their glory at all times of the day, under different lighting conditions and weather conditions. After that, I want to really and truly visit close to home and go to spend some time with Calalily viewing her gardens and greenhouses and soaking up some of the knowledge that she has stored away in that cute head of hers.

This message was edited Thursday, Aug 22nd 6:40 PM

I had a wonderful answer, but I've forgotten what and who it was! that kind of a week.

Along with Mel, I would like to spend some time with Jefferson, a man who knew his fruits and vegetables. I'd also like to peek in on those wonderful anonymous women who packed up seed and cutting and headed off into the wilderness and have left us with such green reminders of their presence: the lonely lilac in a field, the rose bush by the side of the road, daffodils scattered across a pasture and daylilies that run rampant across the June roadsides.

In the DG category, I would love to spend some time with Baa, and louisa, and Cala, and Go-vols and Dave and Trish and Melody and Brook and Shoe and Lisa, but only if the temperature hovers down around where she's reaching for a sweater!! She could run me over to bud's for a look around. And then, I'd have to go north to Poppysue's - sounds like a trip someone already took part of! lol

I have been so fortunate to have meet so many of our wonderful gardeners here ...like Calalilly, Mystic, Kathleen, Poppysue...and too many to name...but can't leave out our dear Shoeman! And Badseed...grows more pretty things than flowers! Now how did I get into this...how can I name all 54 of the DG'ers I have met. I would like to thanks all of you for your help in teaching me what little I know about gardening! Hang in there...I'm getting better! LOL Jo

I couldn't possibly pick just one but if you want to see my entire list just go to the members page and start with A to Z!

In fact Bob asked me last week what my dream vacation would be and I told him it would be to tour the planet and meet every member! He said we would do just that just as soon as I win the big lottery!

Yes, in my dreams...I would LOVE to meet all of you DG'rs.

One author comes to mind. I keep reading her books over and over..Louise Beebe Wilder.

Color in My Garden
Hardy Bulbs

Also Gertude Jeckyll might be interesting, as well. She sure had a knowledge of plants, and H. Lincoln Foster.

I guess there really could not be just one, Golddog.

I would like to take a look at the pond you built in the heat of the summer. It musy be spectacular by now!

Easy........I would spend the day with all of you!!!!!!!!

"eyes"

I wish we could all meet for a week. I am going to look into the closest roundup and go if possible next year.

I would look forward to meeting so many wonderful people here at DG.

Outside of DG, the top of my list would be Holly Shimizu, the Exec. Director of the U.S. Botanical Gardens in D.C. and on the HGTV show "The Victory Garden". I had the opportunity to hear her speak again last week on "Great Garden Roses". She is very "down-to-earth", extremely knowledgeable, friendly, outgoing, & witty. Just a great person to know!

Another extremely knowledgeable, "down-to-earth" person is Pamela Harper. I would love to send the day with her after listening to several of her lectures, reading many of her books, and she only lives a few hours away from me.

Tony Advent, of "Plants Delight". I would love to have the opportunity to tour his nursery, "pick his brain", and see all the new plants that he is hybridizing.

I would also like to meet David Austin of the U.K. and tour his rose gardens & greenhouse.

Any of the famous breeders in the U.K., Germany, & Russia, who are propagating & developing new breeds of clematis.

Don't mean to run on....I got carried away.........I could keep going, but you will get tired to reading all this.. :~)

Hi Shirley, do you remember the program on Victory Garden that Holly did at her home outside of Washington D. C.? Their (she and her husband) use of small areas was exceptional. And what a waterfall!

Yes, I do recall that episode on the Victory Garden. She has such beautifully planted areas surrounding her home outside of D.C.

Holly & her husband built their waterfall in the back yard. I can't imagine hauling all those heavy rocks. They succeeded in creating a very naturalistic, reflective, and soothing addition to their garden.