Formal or informal gardens

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Jun 08, 2005 1:12 pm

Just wondering how many of you like which one?
Me myself I love the informal look. I think, like a cottage garden. Well in my mind its a cottage garden type

I like the formal look to but just not as much.

I just put plants I like together, and if I don't like it that way I'll move them. I never make plans for a flower bed, except for the shape, and sometimes not even that LOL.

I know I have to many plants in one spot, but then I don't have to use mulch in that particular bed

Cause the plants choke them out!

In some beds I do use mulch, in the ones with out a lot of plants. The ones that don't do good all squished in together.

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Jun 08, 2005 1:29 pm

That is something I can't decide on. I kind of like the formal look because I like everything to look neat and orderly, but I also love the randomness of the cottage or informal garden! I am a definate fence rider on that and could easily have beds of both types and be happy.

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Jun 08, 2005 3:41 pm

I'm WAY to ADD for anything formal. They look great, but would drive me crazy. (short trip according to DW

)

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Jun 08, 2005 5:31 pm

Informal, definitely. Formal would imply some sort of advance planning, and I like to shove things in the ground here and there. I do walk each plant around to see how it will look with the potential neighbors, but that's as far as planning goes with me. Now, I do start new beds with an idea of how I want the shape to be, but they sort of grow on their own to become whatever fits the space. I like to call my garden plantings enthusiastic. It has a little better ring to it than 'one mixed-up crazy jumble'.

Linda P

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Jun 08, 2005 5:32 pm

Sorry..don't know how I managed to post twice!
Linda P

Patrushka · Post by **Patrushka** » Jun 08, 2005 6:02 pm

Informal for me. I love the cottage garden look (not that mine looks that way ). I'm always buying something and shoving it in here or there.

ICGardner · Post by **ICGardner** » Jun 08, 2005 9:32 pm

Informal for me too. I don't like symmetry. I do make a rough plan for a new bed but like everyone else has said, I also just plop stuff in where it will fit. I have no problem tearing something out if it isn't working for me. I will give a plant a year or two and then if it isn't doing well, it's outta there! I wouldn't go so far as to say I like "cottage garden" style as it looks to wild and disorganized for my yard. I guess I don't know what you would call what I like!

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Jun 08, 2005 9:48 pm

Definately informal!

Deb118 · Post by **Deb118** » Jun 08, 2005 10:22 pm

Formal is nice to ooooooo and aaaaaaaaaaaah over as you pass by. But Informal for me please. My gardens are a mish mash of all kinds of things and colors. Just the way I like them

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Jun 08, 2005 10:58 pm

Random karmatic with a dose of wasn't that over there the last visit?

impatience · Post by **impatience** » Jun 08, 2005 11:19 pm

With formal everything that is the least bit out of line or order sticks out like a sore thumb. Sure wouldn't work in my world.

@ OED. I'm kinda ADHD with my gardening.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 09, 2005 12:25 am

Yeppers. I was going to just ditto on OED's comments!

I like some design (formal or not), such as in the soup garden, but then that too is getting way laid as I try to squeeze in just one more type of veggie to try this year!

Although there are areas that you (I) start out with best intentions to follow a plan, it always go by the way side when you find that cool plant, or neat artifact, or just have others you need a home for for a bit.........then it all goes to hell-o in a handbasket!

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Jun 09, 2005 6:51 am

I'll have to say informal also. I do love looking at a formal garden...they are beautiful, but I just don't have the creativity to accomplish one.

I stick things in the ground wherever and if it works, fine. If it doesn't...well..I try something else. I definitely do not have a natural green thumb, so there's a lot of hit and miss going on here...and lots to learn yet.

Penhalion · Post by **Penhalion** » Jun 09, 2005 9:30 am

I definitely like the cottage garden look. Formal gardens feel stiff and stiffled to me and that's exactly what I don't want outside in nature.....of course my indoor housekeeping has something of the cottage garden about it too.....

JaneG · Post by **JaneG** » Jun 09, 2005 11:08 am

My gardens are mostly informal and haphazard. Heck, sometimes I don't even manage to do the most basic stuff right, like tall plants in back and shorter plants in front!!

But I very much enjoy formal gardens, I appreciate the orgnization and tidyness. They are soothing to walk through and I admire the gardeners who can accomplish that look. I wish I had some of the patience, skill, and discipline that those gardeners have.

thy · Post by **thy** » Jun 10, 2005 7:55 pm

Formal or informal

Controlled madness... or just madness... that's where I am

Honestly I think a Barock garden is boring, but I do like drifts ...
Never mind, no structure left in my brain

Pia

whis4ey · Post by **whis4ey** » Jun 11, 2005 6:49 am

It seems that I agree with all of you here
Formal gardens to me look absolutely stunning, the amount of work in them is amazing, and the structure fascinating.
But, when you have finished oooohhing and aaahhhing they are somewhat boring
Give me a bit of informality any time
The garden has to be neat and tidy of course. Informal doesn't mean untidy. There is little pleasure sitting in a garden in the middle of long grass and weeds

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 11, 2005 7:02 am

So............then how do you feel about sitting there, with short weeds and grasses?

One person just can't keep up! Least wise this one person can't! There are always weeds in different stages of growth. And then there are those 2 gardens on the far reaches that don't get weeded till they are overcome.........

whis4ey · Post by **whis4ey** » Jun 11, 2005 8:12 am

Ah Jane .... but you aren't married to Wonderwoman

I have had a problem with my feet and legs for two months now, and been unable to garden during that time
You just wouldn't believe the extra work my wife has been able to undertake to keep the place tidy
Behind every good man .......

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Jun 11, 2005 8:18 am

My Daddy always taught me, as long as I like it, thats all that matters as I'm the one putting in all the work and I'm happy with it

I don't mind a few weeds. In fact the bigger bed that has no mulch has weeds. I just keep them pulled until the plants I do want to grow and cover them up. If ya look real close you can see some weeds but not many.
I just pull the ones that get bigger than the flowers

Maybe a perfect gardner would see them but my company that comes over never see them!
The bigger the plants get the less weeds get into it, no room for them

I also plant tall plants in front or where ever LOL.
There is no theme or reason for my beds. I just plant what I like!

I look at some beds in peoples yards and love the look but I still like the cottage look the best!!!