tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post8429985556217718705..comments2024-02-27T17:36:24.006+08:00Comments on The Intercontinental Gardener: Evergreens everywhereThe Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-24169119937913536972008-10-12T08:35:00.000+08:002008-10-12T08:35:00.000+08:00We have snow cover for 6 months of the year, so wi...We have snow cover for 6 months of the year, so without conifers, it is a barren wasteland of twigs and houses for half of the year. I love driving down the street in winter and seeing the tall conifers with their branches covered in snow. In summer, my conifers fade into a green backdrop for other plants, but in winter they come into their own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-45384683846501762552008-10-12T07:48:00.000+08:002008-10-12T07:48:00.000+08:00I know too little about conifers and how much they...I know too little about conifers and how much they can be pruned – I definitely trust you on that. I only have balls of box and made one out of a truly gone wild all over the place box-leaved lonicera (and I checked both with the RHS here in england before putting the shears in their branches). Still can't stand animal-shapes though, sorry.<BR/>Do you know how to start a box ball by the way, I mean from just a small plant with it's natural shape. I can't find any info on that. Would appreciate any tips!nilla|utanpunkthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15451815536296784337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-6466041571554462008-10-11T03:39:00.000+08:002008-10-11T03:39:00.000+08:00It seems that my previous comment has disappeared ...It seems that my previous comment has disappeared totally, which is strange. But, I was writing about the Nordic people and the conifers. Earlier, I thought that this loathing of conifers was partly a reaction against the 60's and 70's excessive planting of them, and partly because conifers are too "common" in that part of the country. But here, the situation has been pretty similar and nature is full or everything with needles... So I'm not sure. Maybe, for the Nordic people, the love for everything leafy and flowering is an expression for their great love of the summertime? <BR/><BR/>Otherwise, I do enjoy topiary. In fact, I have several Buxus balls in my garden in Sweden. The oldest and first of them is an original, 75-year old beautiful "mother ball", about 2 m hight, that needed babies beside it. And even topiary animals can be funb, just thinking of the "peacocks" at Great Dixter or the giant hens at Sven-Ingvar Andersson's Marnas hus in Skåne. I don't like plants looking tortured, too hardly handled, but otherwise, yes, topiary and pruning can add an interesting contrast to wilder things in a garden.The Intercontinental Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-89668320147850809862008-10-10T23:21:00.000+08:002008-10-10T23:21:00.000+08:00What is happening - why can't I see my own comment...What is happening - why can't I see my own comments here...? Have to check this out.The Intercontinental Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-57943307313554403112008-10-09T19:06:00.000+08:002008-10-09T19:06:00.000+08:00Now, a very intersting post. It hits me in two way...Now, a very intersting post. It hits me in two ways. Firstly, I am one of those whingy anti-conifer persons, and for me the reasons are different. I don't have the 60's villa garden experience at all, but I'm sure you are right, it would be the case for many. Perhaps it's a Northern people thing? I have to give that an indepth analysis and come back on that! Then oddly, although I loathe topiary like the 'balloons' and other weird shapes (don't you just hate a shrub cut as an animal?). But recently, I have come to really love topiary pruned to simple balls. And I must admit I found those 'floaters' on your last pic being quite intriguing. They are strict, yet playfully informal. They make me look twice. Are they moving? Will they be there the next time I look? It's like you can't be sure. Perhaps they are more art than plants, but I believe (perhaps it's just the graphic designer in me taking the upper hand here) they are a well needed contrast to the freely protruding branches of the tree (in particular) and the other shrubs.<BR/>All the best, <BR/>Camellianilla|utanpunkthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15451815536296784337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-84752883189229013882008-10-09T11:47:00.000+08:002008-10-09T11:47:00.000+08:00I too always wonder what kind of people live behin...I too always wonder what kind of people live behind the most manicured gardens... and as they walk by my wild tangle, they probably shudder too! :)<BR/>- Karen (fellow Seattle gardener)<BR/>http://greenwalks.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-39218061822122378682008-10-09T10:56:00.000+08:002008-10-09T10:56:00.000+08:00Hi, Thank you for your comment on my diary. Yes, A...Hi, Thank you for your comment on my diary. Yes, Australia has got something in its make up that keeps a hold on you; "I still call Australia home!"<BR/>It is interesting to see those Conifers in the gardens; and people are so against them. I remember our gardens in Switzerland had carefully placed Conifers which added Interest for the whole year. I personally love gardens which are induvidually designed and also with some input of the owner if he loves his garden. I love a plantsman- or plantswoman garden!Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05403418150146893599noreply@blogger.com