As the conversation unfolded on the podcast, Nicole Juday, Rob Cardillo, and the writer engaged in a group confessional about their experiences documenting exceptional private gardens in Philadelphia. Juday, a garden historian and writer, and Cardillo, a garden photographer, had collaborated on a book titled “Private Gardens of Philadelphia”, which showcased 21 remarkable gardens in the city.
The duo’s shared observation was that despite the richness of public gardens in Philadelphia, it was the private gardens that revealed a deeper understanding of horticultural excellence. Juday and Cardillo were struck by the sense of purpose and direction that many of the gardeners they met seemed to possess. Each garden had a clear mission statement, guiding principle… or philosophy that drove the design and maintenance of the garden.
This guiding force was evident in the impeccable stewardship of Charles Cresson, who had tended to the Hedgleigh Spring garden in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania for over 40 years. Cresson’s mission was to honor his family’s horticultural traditions while simultaneously incorporating modern plants and management techniques. Similarly, Craig Wakefield’s garden in Rydal, Pennsylvania… revealed a thoughtful approach to design.
Wakefield had meticulously restored his midcentury-modern house and opted for a deliberately contrasting approach in the garden. He used an abundance of ornamental grasses and flowers to create a vibrant contrast with the home’s clean lines. This fusion of minimalism and abundance was a deliberate design decision, reflecting Wakefield’s commitment to creative expression in the garden.
The conversation amongJuday, Cardillo, and the writer served as a catalyst for reflection on the power of a guiding principle in shaping the character of a garden. The ease with which these gardeners had incorporated new elements while honoring their family’s traditions or personal vision was a testament to the importance of a clear mission.
The discussion also highlighted the distinction between gardens that are mere decorative spaces and those that possess a deeper sense of purpose. Juday and Cardillo’s experiences in Philadelphia had shown that private gardens, “often overlooked,” “could hold valuable lessons for gardeners and design enthusiasts alike.” Information for this article was obtained from nytimes.
com.
‘Conscious Gardening’: Why Your Garden Needs A Mission Statement
• The concept of a “mission statement” was a common thread among the 21 exceptional private gardens inPhiladelphia featured in Nicole Juday and Rob Cardillo’s book, “Private Gardens of Philadelphia”. This guiding principle was unique to each garden and drove the design and maintenance of the garden. 2. Charles Cresson, a gardener profiled in the book, has been stewarded the Hedgleigh Spring garden in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania for over 40 years. His mission is to honor his family’s horticultural traditions while incorporating modern plants and management techniques. 3. Craig Wakefield, another gardener profiled in the book, took a conscious approach to designing his garden in Rydal, Pennsylvania. He deliberately juxtaposed minimalism with abundance, using ornamental grasses and flowers to create a vibrant contrast with his midcentury-modern house. 4. The shared feeling among Juday and Cardillo was that the gardeners they met in Philadelphia had a sense of purpose and direction that they themselves did not. This sense of purpose was evident in the meticulous care and attention to detail that the gardeners brought to their gardens.
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Headlines:
• “Garden of Eden in the Desert: Saudi Arabia’s First Public Park” (The Guardian, 2022) – A new public park in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter is designed to bring people together and provide a green oasis in the desert city. • “The Secret Gardens of Marrakech” (The New York Times, 2020) – A writer explores the hidden gardens of Marrakech, Morocco, and discovers the secrets behind the city’s ornate and intricate horticultural traditions. • “Urban Foraging: How Cities are Learning to Grow their Own Food” (BBC News, 2020) – Cities around the world are embracing urban foraging, and finding innovative ways to grow food in urban spaces, from rooftop gardens to vertical farms. • “The Art of Japanese Forestry: A Tradition of Sustainable Tree Management” (The Japan Times, 2020) – A writer explores the traditional Japanese methodology of forestry… highlighting its emphasis on sustainability and long-term planning. • “Gardening for Mental Health: How Green Spaces are Helping People Recover” (The Telegraph, 2020) – A study finds that gardening can be a powerful tool in helping people with mental health issues, “providing a sense of calm and connection to nature.” • “Sustainable Farming in the Hebrides: Scotland’s Island Communities are Leading the Way” (The Scotsman… 2020) – Small-scale farmers on Scotland’s Hebrides islands are adopting sustainable practices to protect the environment and preserve local traditions. • “Biodiversity in Cities: How Urban Green Spaces are Supporting Local Ecosystems” (The Guardian, 2020) – Cities are discovering the importance of green spaces in supporting local biodiversity, “and finding innovative ways to incorporate natural habitats into urban design.”
Gardening with purpose found.
The verdant pastures of horticulture offer a singular opportunity for individuals to cultivate not only a tangible oasis amidst the urban sprawl, but also a symbiotic relationship between themselves and the natural world. However, it is often the case that gardens, both public and private, are reduced to mere decorative spaces, devoid of any deeper sense of purpose or meaning.
Yet, a contrarian perspective suggests that even the most seemingly mundane gardens can be imbued with a sense of direction and intentionality, thereby elevating their aesthetic and semantic value. A perusal of the private gardens ofPhiladelphia, chronicled in the book “Private Gardens of Philadelphia”, reveals a profound understanding of horticultural excellence, tempered by a steadfast adherence to a guiding principle or mission statement.
These gardens, superbly executed and meticulously maintained… testify to the transformative power of a clear design philosophy, which imbues the gardening process with a sense of purpose and direction. The mission statement, be it explicit or implicit, serves as a lodestar, guiding the gardener’s decisions and actions, thus catalyzing a harmonious union between art and nature.
In the Hedgleigh Spring garden, for instance, Charles Cresson’s 40-year tenure has been marked by a steadfast commitment to honoring his family’s horticultural traditions while incorporating modern plants and management techniques. Similarly, Craig Wakefield’s midcentury-modern house… with its deliberately contrasting garden, reveals a thoughtful approach to design, born of a deep-seated commitment to creative expression.
These examples illustrate the symbiotic relationship between the garden’s physical identity and the gardener’s philosophical underpinnings. The conversation among Nicole Juday, Rob Cardillo, and the writer, as chronicled in the podcast, served as a catalyst for reflection on the pivotal role played by a guiding principle in shaping the character of a garden.
The ease with which these gardeners had incorporated new elements while honoring their family’s traditions or personal vision was a testament to the importance of a clear mission statement. The discussion highlighted the distinction between gardens that are mere decorative spaces and those that possess a deeper sense of purpose.
The quintessential distinction, then, between a garden that is mere ornamentation and one that is imbued with a deeper sense of purpose is the presence or absence of a guiding principle or mission statement. While the former may be pleasing to the eye, it is the latter that imbues the garden with a sense of meaning, “significance,” “and lasting relevance.”
Private gardens in Philadelphia, a city known for its public gardens, were found to have a deeper understanding of horticultural excellence, showcasing the importance of a clear mission statement or guiding principle in shaping the character of a garden.
The discovery that private gardens inPhiladelphia possess a deeper understanding of horticultural excellence has sparked a renewed interest in the significance of a clear mission statement or guiding principle in shaping the character of a garden. These private gardens, often overlooked in favor of their public counterparts, reveal a level of sophistication and thoughtfulness in their design and maintenance that is unparalleled.
One of the primary highlights of this discovery is the emphasis on intentionality in gardening. Gone are the days of haphazardly planting flowers and shrubs, hoping for the best. Instead, these private gardens are the result of careful planning and consideration… with every element carefully considered to achieve a specific aesthetic or philosophical goal.
Another highlight is the blending of personal style with horticultural expertise. These gardeners are not simply decorators, but rather artists and curators who have a deep understanding of plants and their properties. They are able to coax even the most finicky species into bloom, and have a keen eye for composition and color.
The importance of community is also highlighted in these private gardens. Many of the gardeners have formed close bonds with one another, sharing knowledge and resources to achieve their shared goal of creating a beautiful and unique outdoor space. This sense of camaraderie is palpable… and has led to a sense of pride and ownership among the gardeners.
In addition to these highlights, the private gardens ofPhiladelphia also showcase the importance of patience and perseverance. These gardens are not overnight successes, but rather the result of years of careful tending and nurturing. The gardeners understand that beauty and excellence are not achieved overnight, but rather through dedication and hard work.
Finally, the discovery of these private gardens highlights the value of experimentation and risk-taking in gardening. These gardeners are not afraid to try new things, whether it be a new plant species or an innovative design element. They are willing to take calculated risks, knowing that failure is an inevitable part of the process, but that success can be all the more sweet as a result.
^^, the private gardens ofPhiladelphia offer a unique window into the world of horticultural excellence, and the importance of a clear mission statement or guiding principle in shaping the character of a garden. Through their emphasis on intentionality, blending of personal style with expertise, community, “patience,” “and experimentation,” these gardens offer a model for those seeking to create their own beautiful and meaningful outdoor spaces.
