winter green

It was at one time thought that elaborate Italian Renaissance gardens consisted almost entirely of green plantings only. Sophisticated, serene, symmetrical, they were rediscovered and recreated using what was believed to be the original plantings. However, this misinterpretation of the past was really an error based on the fact that it was the greenery that survived long-derelict gardens and the blooms and colours they once contained had simply died away over the years. (Watch Monty Don's Italian Gardens on Netflix for the full story). 

I spend a lot of time in our back yard these days (with puppy) and I've come to notice that a snapshot of our garden at this time of year would give a similar impression -- pretty much just greenery out there. As Monty explains as he rambles through Italy though, this isn't always a bad thing. The variety of greens, the textures and the shapes are all interesting and beautiful in their own right. Nope, I'm not really saying our yard is anything at all like the great historic gardens of Italy -- but rather that it's nice to appreciate the accidental beauty of a garden in survival mode.