July 15th, 2007 Human Nature
Another friend also has a large property that is well shaded. She has defied the shade and planted roses, herbs, veggies and perennials that are sun lovers anyway. Due mostly to her care and diligence, the sun lovers in her gardens look spectacular growing in the shade to part shade on her plot of land. One reason her gardens are successful is her willingness to limb up and thin out the canopies of some of the larger trees that cast shade throughout the gardens.
At the opposite end of the light scale, is a property I struggled with many years ago. It was in full sun all day, not a hint of shade to be found except for two young black walnuts growing along the north fenceline. Yes, I planted shade trees in a futile attempt to cool the yard. Even after ten years, they weren’t big enough to be of much help. So, I planted herbs, perennials and annuals that loved the sun. They were beautiful, and interesting, and fun to work with, but I always longed for ferns and woodland plants.
Our current property has a wonderful balance between sun and shade, but am I happy with it? I would be if all the soil here was not pure clay, if the trees were in different spots, if the winters were warmer, if I had the space to make the shade garden on the north side of the house wider, if there were more evergreens (we’re working on that), if it weren’t so windy (we’re working on that too), if the property was larger (not working on that). If, if, if.
One thing the three of us have in common is the desire to grow plants not hardy in our area. Every year we push the gardening envelope and attempt to overwinter plants that have no business growing in South Western Ontario. Scented geraniums, cardamom, tropical water plants, rosemary, lemon grass, verbena all make their way into our homes in September. Despite our efforts, they are usually on the compost pile by January. With one or two exceptions. My gunnera didn’t last two weeks indoors. Julie has been overwintering cardamom for ten years. All three of us have struggled at one time or another with rosemary and, lost or won depending on the winter.
We keep trying. We keep on yearning for what we don’t have, what we can’t have, instead of appreciating what we do have. But that’s human nature for you.
