Mellow Yellow

Harvest gold

Yesterday at night, the full-bodied glow of the harvest moon; today in sunlight, a riot of golden yellow dances through the garden.

 

Images D. Sleziak

 

Wild Child

Do you see what I see? 

Where I live, all the lawns look very much like the one pictured above: shots of green mingle with patches of dry dead growth at the yards slowly awaken to the gradual strokes of heat the occasional sunny day brings.  And nestled tightly amongst the blades of grass lies these...

The ephemeral blooms at their peak

deeply vivid, intensely fragrant wild violets.  So sweet and powerfully scented, as only an uncultivated flower can be, these clusters can be found in the old established neighbourhoods of our town. As a child each spring without fail, I picked handfuls to bring home, placing them carefully in tiny crystal glasses that graced our kitchen windowsill.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover, a couple of years of ago, masses growing in our side lawn.  It was the unmistakable scent that wafted over our garden wall one sunny spring day that brought them to my attention.  We've left them spread, unchecked, on their way to a glorious carpet.  Spring has finally arrived. 

Photos D. Sleziak

The Call of the Wild

Found one June morning upon arrival, Amherstburg, Ontario

We have a slice of land at the back edge of our property that we refer to as the meadow.  It is beyond our back garden "proper," and it is an uncultivated swath.  What grows here, grows here -- it is an example of the kind of untamed nature that is all around us, appearing spontaneously, if only we had a moment to notice it as we move through our busy, daily lives.  I am constantly amazed at the simple beauty I find here, and I love the tension it creates with the tended garden that sits before it on the other side of the gate.

 

From Our "Garden"

Some of the beauties I've spied here recently...

To date, my favourite.  Just gorgeous!

Hips from a wild rose

Often referred to as a weed, but with the name of "Queen Anne,"
she is simple regal splendour to me

Too sweet!

Sweeter yet!

Big and blowzy

Now, you may think, "Blah, common weeds," or "Yikes -- simply untended yard," but you know the saying about beauty and the beholder's eye.  For further inspiration, take a look at the following.

From Others

Dame violet and irises in Stella McCartney's wild garden via Vogue

Stella's meadow garden with swing via Vogue

Wild flower meadow via Vogue

Naturalised daffodils via Architectural Digest

Fountain grass meadow via Metropolitan Home

More naturalised spring bulbs via the Wild Garden blog

Stepping-stone path through swithgrass via Metropolitan Home

Paul Cezanne's restored half-acre garden which he intended
to appear as if it were "reverting to nature" via Architectural Digest

So, if you have even a small patch of space, consider sowing wild flowers, naturalising bulbs, or coaxing meadow grasses to run a bit amuck, and see how a bit of wild nature in your garden can create a whole new setting of delight.

Photos by D. Sleziak