There are as many different designs in gardens as there are gardens.
Gardens are expressions of our personalities, whether they are lovingly tended symmetrical vegetable beds or properties where wildflowers and weeds run rampant. Much can be inferred about a home-owner when a pedestrian strolls by a property and takes in the scene. In fact, gardeners are pretty good detectives when it comes to drawing conclusions based on appearances - especially when it involves other people's gardens!
The gardens that stand out are the ones that please the eye, blending plants, colour and texture into a harmonious whole. Some gardeners have an instinctive feel for design, while others get their inspiration from books, media or knowledgeable experts. Effective design follows certain rules, and the most famous gardens have been created by gardeners with vision and a strong sense of design.
Does this mean that garden rules rule? Not always. In general, garden design rules exist because they contribute to successful gardens. But there are situations and times when a gardener must be brave and do something unexpected. The result can be surprisingly effective!
Rebecca Sweet is a well-known garden designer who runs a design firm called Harmony in the Garden. She is based in Northern California, and her gardens have
been featured in many national and regional publications. Rebecca has been featured on the critically acclaimed PBS series Growing a Greener World, and also has been a radio guest on numerous programs, including Martha Stewart Living. She is the author of several books, and in her blog, Harmony in the Garden, Rebecca shares inside information about garden design, gardening tips, amusing observations and how-to videos for both the novice and experienced gardener.
In our upcoming Zoom meeting on Jan. 15, this very popular garden designer will talk about "When and how to break the rules of Garden Design." Rebecca speaks amusingly out of her wealth of personal experience, and illustrates her points with slides, many of her own gardens.
Contact the Flamborough Horticultural Society at [email protected] to join our Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. For non-members there is a fee of $5. Deadline to register for prepayment details is the morning of Jan. 15. Get inspired for 2025!
