Sunday 14 April 2013

Little Women

This afternoon my husband is attending a class on safely gathering oysters and clams. The instructions asked him to bring a knife for shocking the oysters. Undoubtedly true from the oysters' point of view. While he spends the day here,
Okeover Arm

I have been dipping into my new book, courtesy of Lesa at Percolating Today

Between the Apple-Blossom and the Water: Women Writing about Gardens
edited by Pamela Norris

In an excerpt from "Little Women" Louisa May Alcott describes the gardens of each sister.
Meg has roses, heliotrope, myrtle and a little orange tree.
Jo experiments, her garden never looking the same from one year to the next.
Beth has sweet peas, mignonette, larkspur, pinks and pansies.
Amy has as many brilliantly hued plants as her plot will hold.

Bright colorful flowers at Flower garden at Lorne Park.JPG
Flower Picture Gallery
Are you more like one sister than another? Or are you like me and see yourself in each description except maybe for Jo. I do experiment but when I'm happy with the result I prefer constancy.

12 comments:

  1. I'm a "Jo", always experimenting. My bromeliads are a staple, but the flower beds around them are always changing. I'm so glad you're enjoying the book.

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    1. I'm a Jo where decorating my house is concerned.

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  2. I see myself as Jo right now...this is because I haven't gotten it quite right. But when I do, I plan to be still for a while so I can enjoy it! Have a great week!

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    1. No doubt I will be experimenting when I get my next garden.

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  3. I have a structured garden with lots of box hedging and balls. Basically it remains the same but I like to try different inlays within the box shapes. Sometimes they work and other times they don't. I have an octagonal box area split into sections and tried artichokes last year, but they didn't thrive well and give the show I had hoped for so this year I am giving dahlias a go.

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    1. I have had plans for a box herb garden for some time. I day dream about a knot garden. Perhaps I can combine the two.

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  4. Hi Susan,

    I see myself as Beth. I just love pinks and pansies! I hope you are enjoying your new book while hubby gathers oysters and clams!

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  5. Wow, Okeover Arm - how beautiful! (those flowers too) I'd say Amy since my perennial bed follows no particular color scheme and I infill with brightly colored annuals.

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    1. I always get tempted by bright colors.

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  6. I always want to be one kind of gardener, structured and with a definite plan, but then I see a new plant that might not fit in, but I know I must have it. Sometimes they work, but even if they don't, I know I am still open to new experiences. My gardens mimic my life.

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  7. I'm all four rolled into one sticky blob. :o)

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