Gardening in summer is an opportunity for creative expression. A synergy where the plants are arranged so that the whole is greater than the individuals placed there. We may show our innovative ideas in a garden, in a planter, or in attention to a single plant.
An example of landscape art is available to the public on the north side of Trinity Lutheran Church, 703 Broadway Avenue in Yankton, South Dakota.
The inviting prayer garden space has evolved under the artistic eye of Mary Born and others. As one relaxes to bird songs and small vistas of blooms and foliage, her message for this quiet stop is a little sign: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
The prayer garden has the feel of Born’s artistry as the many elements she chooses to include to the synergy of the space. She invites a mood of quiet reflection.
Another example of gardening art is envisioning plants in their natural setting and trying to replicate the elements in a space. In this native buffalo grass meadow, the short grass is the palate for randomly sown wildflower seeds to grow and bloom in succession, changing the colors of the meadow during the season.
Plants like daylily blooms are refreshing single-day moments. Gardeners often choose long-bloom season plants that help maintain their artistic ideas in the flowerbed or planter. A one-day flower can become an exceptional creative expression. This Hemerocallis ‘Purple D’oro’ from Yankton Nurseries may grow more than 20 blooms per plant over time.
While blooming plants color our summer, gardeners can find foliage elements from the ancient art of Bonsai to appreciate or try themselves. Jay and Michael Gurney of Yankton Nurseries show a dwarf Mugo pine shaped for an artistic statement in a yard. The evergreen, nearly five feet tall, is planted in a movable planter. Jay estimates the tree is about fifteen years old.
For years, Jay and Michael have worked with Iseli Nursery, which features plants especially suitable for Bonsai art. This is a juniper that the Gurneys are beginning to train themselves. The blue tie is re-directing a limb.
Inspiration for the topic of art with plants came from an article in the May/June 2023 Horticulture magazine. The author, Thomas Christopher, was smitten by the “flair and insight” of Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, PA, near Philadelphia. The Conservancy has 70,000 acres with artistic landscape areas showing the succession of blooms in settings like their native habitats. The magazine is available for browsing at Yankton Community Library.
We invite you to comment on your creative expression with plants. Thank you for visiting the Plant Exchange blog today. Thanks for “Likes” if you enjoy the topic. Thanks to our loyal “Followers” who show up for our weekly blog. Happy gardening!
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