JUL 2024

The planting of our front garden was planned so that there would be enough space between the perennials from the nursery for natural seeding. This creates a very natural, wild, and lively look. Not only the plants, but also we ourselves had to grow into this process. It was quite challenging at first. This is because loosely planted beds require different care than densely planted perennial beds. More open soil means more weeds and greater evaporation. This necessitated coordinated care and watering in the first two years after planting in 2022. It should not be underestimated how difficult it can be to distinguish the desired seedlings of foxglove, aquilegia, lunaria, and wood aster from less desirable weeds, which initially sprouted in large numbers.

We smile as we remember how, last year, we spent weeks hoping that the richly seeded mini versions of the nettle-leaved bellflower were growing in front of us and not something else. Now they spread beautifully through the beds and transform the garden area into a sea of purple flowers from the beginning of July.

Sometimes, decisive action is required when deliberately planted plants take over and threaten to crowd out others. We try to find the right balance: allowing freedom in favor of wildness while setting limits to preserve diversity. In this way, curated wildness can create a very special perennial area in the front garden.