Monday, October 5, 2009

A Natural Garden


In the midst of a neighborhood of tidy flowerbeds and manicured lawns is this residence which is landscaped with a "natural garden". The garden is filled with perennial flowers and shrubs that are allowed to grow naturally and reseed themselves. The result is either charming or messy depending on your point of view. What do you think?

(More on this) Even a natural garden requires a little tiding up from time to time. This one has grown from charming to messy and beyond. No, it is not my house nor is it in my neighborhood. If it were, I am enough of an anarchist that I would not object.

A few years ago an elderly lady not far from me had a garden very much like this and a grouchy neighbor complained to the city. The lady was told to mow it all down or the city would mow it and send her the bill.

The Tulsa World got wind of this and ran an article with a photo of the garden. Petitions were signed and phone calls of support poured in to the city in defense of the lady. The city backed off and the natural garden remained.

In point of fact, unless a neighborhood compact forbids something the city only has jurisdiction only if it can be demonstrated to be a health hazard.

5 comments:

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

My first impression was "how charming" but then I enlarged the picture and thought "but rather messy". Perhaps there's a need for a bit of betwixt and between?

Anne

P.S. How's the scooter going? Bet Molly and Willy have had a sneaky ride!

DrillerAA09 said... [Reply to comment]

At least it's maintenance free, but it's a little too unkept for my taste.

Elleona said... [Reply to comment]

Bonjour Bill.

Personellement, j'aime beaucoup un jardin un peu sauvage qui laisse la nature s'exprimer...
Bisous.

Yogi♪♪♪ said... [Reply to comment]

Uh, well I like their spirit but I would hate to have a yard like that in my neighborhood. It seems that with the same plants but with some trimming that would have something nice.

It's not your house is it Bill?

Yogi♪♪♪ said... [Reply to comment]

I received a blogging award that I passed on to you.