The Wild Garden

A popular idea that is growing fast

On the right is the native feathery perennial bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii). It was discovered growing in the wild in the early 1940s. It is native to south- central United States. It is a great addition to the wild garden. Amsonia is easily grown in average, medium, well- drained soil in full sun to part shade. Powdery blue flowers in late spring. Zones 5-8.

If you’d like your landscape to look as if it were planted by Nature, then an informal Wild Garden is the theme for you. This naturalistic plant-driven approach to gardening was originally popularized by the 19th-century English gardener, William Robinson (1838-1935), who turned away from the fussy Victorian flower gardens of his time and advocated, in his popular books, following Nature’s dictates and mixing desired plantings with exotic plants. He also advocated the use of native British species and his ideas were shared by the noted garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll. His ecological sensibility and advice heralded the transformation of flower gardens into the sustainable gardens we strive for in the 21st century.