AFTER ALL THAT TENDER CLIPPING AND GENTLE GROOMING I gave you all those years, this is what I get in return? Oh, dear doodler Andre Jordan, I ask you, what went wrong?
I WATCHED A ZOOM lecture the other day that really put into words a lot of the ways my own deepening understanding of ecology is shaking up the way I practice horticulture—from spring cleanup, right on to the last chore of the active year. The lecturer was Rebecca McMackin, director of horticulture for Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City, where she leads the team that manages 85 acres of diverse parkland with a central focus on habitat creation of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows to build soils and support birds, butterflies, and other organisms.
We talked about the dynamic tactics they use and when and why–a whole different approach to spring cleanup, where the life cycles of animals (from insects on up) dictate what happens when, garden maintenance-wise. Like why some things don’t get cut back, and others that are still seed-laden when they do have their seeds collected and set aside, then returned to the spot after whatever cleanup is needed there.
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Well I guess you trimmed one too many branches.
I love this!
When my wife and I finally get our new house which currently has a very small brick wall running around it, I think we might have a ‘leave us alone’ topiary hedge. Or maybe a ‘www.abeautifulrevolution.com’ topiary hedge – I’m sure my wife wouldn’t mind.
I agree, I hate uninvited visitors when I garden. Except for birds, bees, butterflies, etc. Only exception, I’ll break for compliments.
Hi, Andre! (Hi, Margaret – I’ve been reading/lurking for several months – finally decided to comment…)
My garden club meets this Sunday – at my house this month – and (this is kinda Twilight-zoney) one item on our agenda is watching the movie “A Man Named Pearl” – a wonderfully inspiring documentary about self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar. If you haven’t yet seen it, you must!
Margaret, I look forward to your blog every day and Thursdays here are especially fun because of your posts, Andre – thanks for the smiles you both bring to me!
Welcome, CovingtonKat. Yes, Pearl Fryar is AMAZING (as is Andre). Just amazing. Thanks for mentioning. I am so glad for all your good words, and your incessant lurking, Do continue all said behavior. :)
Ha ha Andre! I wish I could just let topiaries talk for me sometimes :)