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Talking to my friends in the garden

I have no doubt that plants are capable of tapping into the gardener's feelings, perhaps even understanding his language. By Tony P. Wrenn

Date published: 12/4/2004

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AS WE COUNT down the days of the year, I work in my garden, walk though it or sit at the window looking out at it, or, most often of all, dream of it. It is difficult to do any of these things without looking at plants as one looks at old friends. I don't know how many plants grow in my garden, but there are certainly hundreds of varieties. My feeling for any single species or variety is likely to change as the plant develops, but with some there is no question. They are friends.

I would not dare voice, in the garden, the prejudices I am about to share with you. I like gardening, and try not to be too partial in talking to my plants. I would never, in their presence, indicate a preference for one plant over another, when I know all are doing their best to win my favor. To relegate any plant to a second tier of desirability would be ill-mannered and, when you get right down to it, not smart. I hesitate to identify any species as a favorite, but some are particular friends.

Plants are living things, attuned to what is going on around them. I have no doubt that plants are capable of tapping into the gardener's feelings, perhaps even understanding his language, if one is indiscreet enough to voice likes and dislikes in the garden. They certainly are smart enough to let me know what pleases them and what does not. They may send messages by the droop of a stem, the browning of a leaf, or, over a period of time, by a performance that I know is less than they are capable of--or, at the other end, far above the norm. One of the joys of gardening has been looking for those messages and responding. I misread or misunderstand sometime. Still, over the years, plants and I have come to know each other well enough to carry on multiple conversations during various seasons.

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Date published: 12/4/2004