Have you ever explored an old abandoned garden? I have not-until recently when I visited my daughter in southern Alabama. What a rush of feelings I felt seeing a much loved garden now neglected and overgrown but still growing and still blooming.
bThe 'Secret Garden' was located behind this large overgrown hedge of privet. Have you ever thought to peek behind such a monster? Have you dared?
Behind the hedge you will find a long abandoned old home site with a falling down house that has been overtaken by the homeless. This ten acre home site is smack dab in the middle of several subdivisions. Developers have circled the wagons and are trying their best to get their hands on this beautiful land that lays claim not only to the old house, but to old garden gates, a still functional chicken house and other structures as well as what I believe to be an heirloom garden. The garden was amazing.
My sixteen month old granddaughter Adella was not as impressed by the garden as I was. She, instead, got a kick out of me eating a Cheeto. Each time I would pop one in my mouth I got this cute smile. We should all be so easily amused shouldn't we?
Her mother (my daughter Christine) took Mr. Fix-it and I over to this garden to look at the plants. I was able to identify several plants to include: laurels, cedars, camellias (in full bloom), daffodils, spider lillies, and an unknown plant that smelled strongly of onions but which had a flat leaf. I am still not sure what it could be but will try to find out. As I walked through the garden I thought of the long ago gardener who had planted the garden. Where is the gardener now? Was the gardener a man or a woman? Does she or he know the garden they planted still grows strongly and blooms? Does she or he care? Was there a vision years ago when each bulb and shrub and perennial was planted in the ground? What will become of the garden? Do others know of the Secret Garden? Perhaps they come there to dream of the long ago gardener just like I did. Maybe they even imagined walking into a stunning perennial garden through the charming old garden gate? I have never felt the pull of gardening so much as on this day....
in the garden....
What do you think about when you explore an old abandoned garden?
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