Do garden styles come in and out of fashion? Are there plants that are so “yesterday” no self-respecting gardener would use them in her/his garden? If so, what are they?! (Say it ain't so, Stella.) These are the questions that have been plaguing me since I had a conversation with a guide at one of the State Fair gardens. He told me one of the gardens would be overhauled during the off-season because it was “dated.”I’ve been really intrigued by his comment because I can spot a dated kitchen a mile away. (Harvest Gold, anyone?!) And, even I, not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination, wouldn’t be caught dead in a polyester dress shirt anymore. But, I can’t for the life of me figure out what makes a garden “dated.”
I have noticed that gardens/plantings at businesses at industrial settings have a similar look (a couple of spirea, some day lilies, and a hydrangea or two) but the home gardens I see on a regular basis don’t seem “dated” to me. They seem to reflect the interests and passions of the homeowner/gardener. Each one is unique. Even on my block, where we share plants, which could create a bland look, each garden looks different. I think that’s because the personality of the gardener comes through.
I still don’t have an answer to what makes a garden “dated.” If you have any ideas, please post a comment and help me out!
