CIAO -- Cheating Is Apparently Okay. Sorry - not participating on Ciao until the cheating is dealt ...
CIAO -- Cheating Is Apparently Okay. Sorry - not participating on Ciao until the cheating is dealt with. Ciao doesn't seem to care. I wonder if the people paying advertising fees know...
Member since:26.12.2002
Reviews:543
Members who trust:241
When I moved from my house with a small, elaborate and alas poorly-maintained garden in London to a house in the midwestern United States with a plot of land that would command millions were it in the centre of London, I had visions of majestic hedgerows and beds of flowers and vines and garden paths. Indeed, I have such (at a friend's house!). I have a few plots that are irregularly tended, but, over the course of the past decade, they have grown bit by bit each summer into more interesting plots. Part of what has given me inspiration is the idea of the ideal English Garden, perhaps the quintessential gardening goal.
To this end, 'The English Garden' has fueled my thoughts and my ambitions, plant-wise. I am particularly pleased with one of their more recent series in the latest issues, for they had a series entitled' How to create an English Garden', something that, while I have striven for aspects to match, has alluded me these past many years. With the help of this series, at the very least I shall know what I have been missing, and what is possible.
Articles in each issue are classified under the following categories: 'Glorious Gardens', a section that seeks out particular, interesting gardens around England, small and large, that conform to the English Garden ideal, as well as the occasional garden from abroad; 'Gardening Matters', in which the mechanics of gardening are explained, including design, planning, acquisition, seasonal transitions, and problems; 'Out and About', which looks for travel opportunities, gardening events worldwide, and product information; and 'Regulars', which includes letters, question and answer section (both very informative), book reviews, and a column entitled 'Kitchen Garden' which talks about food-gardening as well as well as small, indoor garden plants. Regular contributors include master gardeners David Manson, Rory Mower, Susan Chivers, and Helen Gunn.
The past issues have included articles entitled 'In Town: An Artist's London Garden', which shows that the tradition of painting in one's garden didn't stop with Monet, and requires talent in both painting and gardening for most; 'Historical Perspectives: The Queen's Secret Walled Garden' which has recently been opened to the public, and 'Opening Out: Restoration in the Wye Valley', a story on the resurrection of a garden in the west, near one of my favourite parts of Britain.
Despite the small size of the island of Britain, there are in fact a wide range of climates, making for a wide range of garden types. The English nobles who tried to transport their gardens into holdings in Scotland, Ireland and Wales often found difficulty maintaining the 'English' ideal; this is doubly true of those who left for colonial destinations. And yet the ideal lives on. My particular difficulty is that there are few climates in Britain that match the range of the Midwestern North America, so I have to pick and choose which flowers and plants to mix and cultivate that will stand up to the climate here. English Garden gives tips for those living outside of England proper who still hope for a bit of St. George's influence in their front and back yards.
I always turn green with envy upon seeing the wonderful gardens, and it makes me wish I had a green thumb and much more time and energy to devote to cultivation of beauty. Alas, 'tis not to be in my life for the foreseeable future, but I do learn quite a bit by reading English Gardens, and it helps me maintain my sense of England.
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Am I right in thinking that this is a US magazine for those who want to make thier gardens look like English gardens? I'm curious as to what they see as being a typically English garden. Is the cottage garden look? Or maybe the formal look with perfectly manicured lawns and herbacous borders? I'm fascinated now. ~Sharon
the_mad_cabbie 19.04.2004 16:35
We used to have a couple of *REALLY* good gardening writers here at Ciao (well, they're still members, but hardly ever post these days)....."Aspen" (Mike) and a guy called "Gardenex"....Excellent review (as ever)...Ken :O)
Sally3 19.04.2004 15:31
I would enjoy reading this, just for the photographs! Are you originally from the UK then?
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