On 19/06/2012 18:19, Rod wrote:
I take it as read that most folk here have a generally favourable reaction to most plants. We all have our favourites and pets of course but I'm not thinking about that.
Rather I'm asking how visitors to your gardens react to what they see/smell/touch?
Sadly I and Mrs Rod are beginning to conclude that most folks are almost blind to plants or almost scared of them turning into triffids and overwhelming the world.
Also profoundly ignorant - where were they when biology was being taught at school?
In the last week or 2 we've seen a perfectly innocent Cedrus deodora 'pendula' destroyed because it was shedding it's old needles, a lovely honeysuckle destroyed in full bud - the guy didn't even know what it was and too stupid to ask.
A mature and beautiful bush of the rose 'Ena Harkness' 'pruned'(mutilated) in full flower - It was cut down to less than half flowers/buds notwithstanding.
In our garden a common reaction is 'nice fence' or 'can I look in your workshop?'
The profusion of flowers, foliage and scents commonly gets 'null points'

Rod



I think I must be very lucky, by those standards. Most of my neighbours
take an interest, and often an admiring interest :~). If I'm gardening
(pruning, working the soil or planting), there are always questions
about my plants, including the upkeep of them if something is
particularly admired.

Also, in our road, this interest extends to plant swaps, which makes
horticultural, social and financial sense. It often means that older
gardeners feel less isolated, and younger couples get help building up
their gardens whilst struggling with a mortgage. Even passing strangers
and acquaintances from the extended neighbourhood stop and chat about
gardens. I've even seen people stop and take photographs!

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay