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When I am in pain, I need to spend time in the garden because the plants often help me find a solution or a different perspective. That’s why a couple of weeks ago I decided to go and visit the Lambley nursery, looking for silence and inspiration.
For those who have never heard about Lambley, there are two main reasons to go there: the first is a refined collection of perennial plants, most of them drought resistant; the second is the owner, David Glenn, an English man with an impressive botanical knowledge and extremely generous when it comes time to share it.
So, I found myself walking on my own in a gorgeous garden: in fact, Lambley is not just a nursery: it is also a laboratory where David test plants, combinations and cultivation techniques. Surrounded by the silence, it was just me, the plants and the sky.
In winter, each garden honestly reveals its structure, its design; flowers and leaves can’t distract you and you can focus on essential aspects: “Do the hedges harmoniously design the structure?” “Are the evergreen specimens well placed?” “Is there a good balance between empty and full spaces?”. Shortcomings and qualities are now visible and unequivocal.
I realized that the same thing happens when we allow ourselves a moment of quiet and reflection, a pause in our busy life. When there is nothing external that can distracts us, we have the time to observe our “inner garden”. “Is there something that we can improve?” “Is it well balanced?” “Is the structure strong enough?” “Does it make sense?”.
“Am I happy with myself?”
I must confess that sometimes I am scared of slowing down; it’s when my imperfections become monstrously noisy, evident and unbearable. It’s when I face my fears and I see the ugly parts of ‘my garden’.
While I am walking alone in my thoughts, a majestic gum tree pops up in front of me. Only the sky, the brightest and shiniest I have ever seen restrains it; the other trees, as if they were scared, make a group, far away. Brave and persistent, it keeps trying to conquer the sky with its branches. The bark is squamous and the trunk is deformed, but you know what? All these imperfect features are exactly what make it magnificent. This tree, like me, is trying to find its shape.
I start to understand. Instead of being scared of my imperfections, I have to embrace them. Then, like the leaves, I have to let my fears fall down and reveal things as they are, because there is nothing to hide. My life is the most beautiful masterpiece I can make, the best garden I can grow. I have just to work on essential things, so that my winter garden has the same charm as the summer effect.
I have to have faith because nature always knows where we have to go.
What a beautiful and powerful post, Carlo. Truly exceptional in so many ways. Thank you.
Helen, thank you very much. Nature is always a teacher for me, and I wanted to share my thoughts because they could be helpful for someone else.
Beautiful photographs of the Lambley gardens.
We can all find solace and strength in the healing power of gardens. But when you work as a professional in the horticultural area, it it’s easy to forget that. Thank you for reminding me Carlo. And I love the simple and straightforward way you have written about it and what it means to you. It adds to the power of your message. I feel like I have vicariously soaked up some of your positive thoughts about your ‘winter garden’.
Thank you Carlo. In your photographs and thoughts you have captured our winter garden in the most delightful way.
Thank you Patrick. The garden is so gorgeous that it’s easy to take the right pictures!
What a wonderful piece, Carlo, with great images! It makes me think. I have always enjoyed winter gardens, especially when they seem to be sitting back, marking time (although not all Australian plants do this), catching their breath and getting ready. And it’s so good being able to appreciate the space. Michael Morrison (head gardener at ‘Cruden Farm’) says he loves winter best of all, because he is one for shape and structure.
Thank you Anna, for your words and also for talking about Cruden Farm: another garden to visit for me!
Thank you for sharing your secret. You are inspirational & your piece was very well written. I love Lambley Nursery, you have inspired me to take a new look at my winter garden. Where shall we visit in Spring?
Hello Carlo,
Thank you so much for your beautiful article on our garden here at Lambley…
David and I feel very blessed to live here , surrounded by the gardens which we have developed over the past twenty three years ….
It is our wish, that those who visit us , and share our garden, leave feeling as though they have been in some way nourished.
Criss Canning.
Dear Criss,
Thank you for your kind words. My visit at Lambley has been revealing and I clearly felt the love and dedication you spent to grow it. It’s a magical place, for sure.
O.T. I had a look at your paints….your sense of colour is amazing.
Dear Carlo,
Thank you….I love colour….and indeed my palette is inspired by Nature…the great teacher !
Criss.
Hi Carlo
I should say, did you have a look at world acclaimed Criss Canning’s paintings? – inspired by her garden there, no doubt.
Indeed!!!
Lovely and honest cheers Tarc x