Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the blossoms,
Kind deeds are the fruits.
19th-century rhyme used in primary schools
A few weekends ago we visited Butts Cottage, Plush, one of the local gardens open for the National Garden Scheme. It is peaceful place, surrounded by mature trees, includes a stream and is set in the folded chalk hills of West Dorset. Could there be a better way to spend a dreamy couple of hours than in a beautiful garden where someone else has done all the hard work of bringing it to a peak of perfection?
As we wander between the lush plantings, I wonder what leads a garden-lover to open their garden to the public? First, a generosity of spirit and a braveness to have one's handiwork scrutinized and criticized. If one possesses an object of desire, should one not put it to some good use for others who don't have it? Apart from giving pleasure to many people, the revenue raised by opening these gardens goes to worthwhile charities. But there must also be a great deal of pressure to present the very best.
The eaves-dropped remarks of fellow visitors are interesting. Most seem to be gardeners themselves and may be looking for inspiration for their own gardens. Some like to identify plants they haven't come across (the owner usually is very knowledgeable and has the RHS Gardeners' Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers by Christopher Brickell on hand). Some visitors say how much better they have seen a particular plant growing elsewhere! Some head straight for the plant stall; I gravitate there as well, and brought back Polygonum bistorta (a type of knotweed) and kale plants this time. I prefer to buy plants locally grown in conditions I understand.
Given a change for the better in the weather, this promises to be a good summer for garden visiting.
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