Uk gardens

[WW.]

I like jungly gardens, with as much unmanaged and unmown area as possible.
However, I am fortunate in having, for the most part of my life, lived in properties where gardens are measured in acres rather than square feet, so there's plenty of space for all interests.
Meticulously tidy gardens I find singularly unattractive, but that's not to say that some parts of the garden - such as where the vegetables are grown - shouldn't be well cared for.
I like a garden that merges seamlessly with the surrounding countryside, but again I have been fortunate to have spent almost my entire life living in very rural areas, where such a thing is possible.

I do think that urban gardens, particularly in new-build developments, are a real problem. They cover a large proportion of our country, and could be such havens for wildlife, but on the whole they're pretty barren, having been mown and weeded to within an inch of their lives.
Rural gardens are already pretty good - even the fairly tidy ones - but anything that encourages urban dwellers to create a bit of space for wildlife in their gardens has got to be a good thing, and gets my full support.

Or paved/astroturfed.

 

[jall55]

I think i have the mix just about right - back garden is mowed and is for the dogs to run and play - the front is now a wildlfower meadow sampler - i empty my boots of the seeds from the meadows in the summer and now the lawn has taken on a hole life of its own - knapweed- ox eye daisy - campion - birds foot trefoil - yellow rattle to name a few

 

[VSS]

Or paved/astroturfed.

That's a garden turned into a nondescript dead place.

 

[BenBhoy]

Maybe we should become guerilla yellow rattle broadcasters!!

 

[tackb]

My Mrs would like our garden tidier but I refuse. Tidy gardens are too sterile imo. We are lucky to have a large garden so its divided into areas - including a lawn area i do mow so kids can play. Then we have wildflower area, the pond (currently full of tadpoles) and water plants, a truly wild area with established trees & then my unkempt jungle grass. Love it.

i'd imagine you have plenty of pampas grass

 

[BenBhoy]

i'd imagine you have plenty of pampas grass

And our pineapple tree grows upside down!

 

[Bo Diddley]

If I killed the moss it would just be bare earth

Thats what mine is beginning to look like... and I've only tackled it for 10 minutes in the mornings with a lawn rake while I let the dogs out

 

[Cyres]

Mine is relatively small but stuffed full of rare/unusual plants. Criteria is plants must be colourful and or fragrant. My main border resembles a jungle when in full bloom. Its hedgehog friendly with suitable holes in fences. Lots of fruit trees in flower at present.
D