tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post1454808743009040389..comments2024-03-07T10:06:13.620-05:00Comments on View from Federal Twist: Juan Grimm: a garden in UruguayJames Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-30939671783738523242011-12-21T07:22:41.135-05:002011-12-21T07:22:41.135-05:00I like that--shapes, colors, spaces, textures. So ...I like that--shapes, colors, spaces, textures. So perhaps we can just call the intellectual courtyard play and let it go at that. (But there is a "conceptual" aspect to this, don't you agree?)James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-22782820525694862902011-12-19T15:38:18.258-05:002011-12-19T15:38:18.258-05:00On our blog you speculated I think about whether y...On our blog you speculated I think about whether you can love what you haven't physically seen yourself. Yes, yes, yes, absolutely loved this, but I love his work anyway. Intellectual? Its shapes, and colours and spaces and textures to me and I could move in tomorrow!<br />Thanks for this.<br />Best and for the season.<br />RRobert Webberhttp://www.hegartywebberpartnership.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-21890966330258883672011-12-10T15:22:12.989-05:002011-12-10T15:22:12.989-05:00Rob,
Can't say I do (like heavy work in the g...Rob,<br /><br />Can't say I do (like heavy work in the garden), but whatever floats your boat! I've been intending to get outside and cut back some huge Euonymous alatus smashed by the heavy ice/snow in late October. Have to cut it back by half, but I never seem to find the time. Come to think of it, I did gather rocks to extend the paving by the pond just yesterday. A moment of inspiration!James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-5261961650134215682011-12-10T15:17:24.733-05:002011-12-10T15:17:24.733-05:00Diana, thanks for pointing out that "American...Diana, thanks for pointing out that "American" encompasses both South and North (and Central) America. Vast differences, and amazing similarities. May Prince Charles always be able to afford his gardening staff...James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-21590351682817099562011-12-10T14:08:40.864-05:002011-12-10T14:08:40.864-05:00Erm, sorry to be contrary, but I actually like doi...Erm, sorry to be contrary, but I actually like doing work in the garden. It feels good. I may turn the compost heap tomorrow!<br /><br />By the way, I feel my likening elements of this garden to a golf club is unfair. I'm growing to like it a lot.<br /><br />Bon Weekend James.Rob (ourfrenchgarden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05087218232138304239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-67608833371026927922011-12-10T05:03:59.798-05:002011-12-10T05:03:59.798-05:00They are both 'New American' gardens to th...They are both 'New American' gardens to the rest of the world. That effortless look, is achieved with a team of elves overnight!<br /><br />I once read about the work of the gardeners on Prince Charles Scottish estate. Everything is pruned and manipulated for perfection in the MONTH when Charles and Camilla are At Home.Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-88606195229332549522011-12-09T07:21:40.044-05:002011-12-09T07:21:40.044-05:00There I was, James, naive as ever! My goal too - t...There I was, James, naive as ever! My goal too - to be able to walk out into something that looks like it just came about that way and you never have to do a thing to it...Gardener in the Distancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14478393904059307841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-61279825944865437962011-12-08T19:01:30.363-05:002011-12-08T19:01:30.363-05:00Diana, I think it does need a large workforce (not...Diana, I think it does need a large workforce (not sure how large). The area bordering the large lawn was in need of some attention. There were some odd things planted there that I don't think Juan Grimm would have specified. I think I remember seeing Oleander, which really looked out of place. More like someone else decided to plant some shrubs here and there to boost the color. But that's only a guess. I too noticed the "wayward" edging on the floating lawns in the pool. How to maintain that? Probably put on your swim suit and take a plunge. No other way to get to them. <br /><br />You and some others seem to have noticed similarities between the plants in this garden and in mine. They are, in fact, very different. Mine are, of course, mostly native to this continent or at least the northern hemisphere, and my garden isn't sparely planted at all (and it's tiny in comparison). But I'm intrigued that others see a similarity I don't see.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-741494750563363462011-12-08T18:43:48.963-05:002011-12-08T18:43:48.963-05:00Faisal, it may be sparely planted, but in no way i...Faisal, it may be sparely planted, but in no way is it low maintenance. Hey, that's MY goal.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-49590307051499589812011-12-08T14:46:26.515-05:002011-12-08T14:46:26.515-05:00Oh I suspect this garden needs a large workforce f...Oh I suspect this garden needs a large workforce for manicuring. The floating lawns in the pond - would be fun for a show garden at Chelsea. But to maintain?! I feel the edges should be precisely geometrical not a little wayward, as they are.<br /><br />When the vines have grown over the pergola, that deck will be heaven in summer.<br /><br />Because you, James, grow plants I don't know - I probably see superficial similarities between two palettes of unknown native/indigenous plants.<br /><br />Not a lawn fan, but with that huge area to cover, wouldn't want to go overboard on stone paving. Perhaps allowing fingers of local vegetation to reach in from the natural? pond below.Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-42513799086789075552011-12-07T14:19:56.629-05:002011-12-07T14:19:56.629-05:00I'm coming to like sparely-planted gardens mor...I'm coming to like sparely-planted gardens more and more, James, not only from an aesthetic viewpoint, but because they are - theoretically - much less work. Thankyou for the insightful tour.Gardener in the Distancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14478393904059307841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-14404338605071338322011-12-06T22:33:48.439-05:002011-12-06T22:33:48.439-05:00The "floating lawns" seem to get both ye...The "floating lawns" seem to get both yeas and nays. You make an important point by reserving judgment with "as portrayed by your post." True, a few pictures and words are not at all a substitute for visiting a garden, nor is one visit enough, necessarily, to render a valid judgment. But what else can we do without all becoming world travelers? We communicate what we can recognizing the limitations of the medium. And I agree with you that a light hand is best in such a landscape.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-29061170928517319112011-12-06T20:57:18.432-05:002011-12-06T20:57:18.432-05:00I am not a big fan of the floating lawns, especial...I am not a big fan of the floating lawns, especially since they can't be walked on. However, I do appreciate the rest of the garden as portrayed by your post, and I am glad a light hand was used in the plantings. I think when presented with a unique natural landscape, a garden should not compete with it for attention.<br /><br />Les @ atidewatergardener.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-30528316505025762752011-12-06T19:31:52.501-05:002011-12-06T19:31:52.501-05:00Rob, yes, the lawn does suggest a giant putting gr...Rob, yes, the lawn does suggest a giant putting green. But the vast space above it, wrapped in the arms of the two eucalyptus groves is quite a grand gesture.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-55142197678914087422011-12-06T19:28:58.204-05:002011-12-06T19:28:58.204-05:00Benjamin, lots of echoing going on here. I didn...Benjamin, lots of echoing going on here. I didn't mention the guest house almost hidden out at the edge of the huge lawn. It has an infinity lap pool.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-23654918320522941352011-12-06T19:26:07.597-05:002011-12-06T19:26:07.597-05:00Susan, I think you may be in the minority. I think...Susan, I think you may be in the minority. I think it's one of the most interesting parts of the garden, and will be more so after the plants have grown in.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-46655074821233015192011-12-06T16:27:28.517-05:002011-12-06T16:27:28.517-05:00There are some beautiful elements to this garden, ...There are some beautiful elements to this garden, or should that be park? It certainly is large. But there are also some elements which have an almost golf club feel to them.<br /><br />I particularly like the view past the lawn to the lake and the wild landscape.Rob (ourfrenchgarden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05087218232138304239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-90031842493940836992011-12-06T14:44:06.689-05:002011-12-06T14:44:06.689-05:00Incredible. This is what I want, but maybe a bit w...Incredible. This is what I want, but maybe a bit wilder--bring the wild and geometric / mod forms in closer together until they nearly collide, even meld. Of course, that pool is stunning in and of itself, but also for it's echo of the pond.Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-18307668851135835922011-12-06T08:09:32.870-05:002011-12-06T08:09:32.870-05:00I love, love, love the porch/deck/pergola thing.I love, love, love the porch/deck/pergola thing.Susan Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01532464326705599296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-39196826599465974742011-12-05T07:42:54.670-05:002011-12-05T07:42:54.670-05:00Looking for some more readable template and colors...Looking for some more readable template and colors after several requests. I wish I could change to Wordpress, but keep hoping Blogger will introduce some of the helpful tools Wordpress offers.<br /><br />Hard to "get" a garden from photos, I know, but that really locks people who can't afford international travel out of the discussion. Like not looking at all. I do think selection can be guided by a view toward revealing a garden, and can communicate some important points. But one has to avoid sacrifacing "truth" for the misleading "beauty" or aesthetic quality of a good photo. We need reporting, not pretty pictures.<br /><br />Your last comment, I think, comes out of the British gardening culture. In South America, there is no tradition of open gardens, little of the "gardening culture" you're so much a part of. A vast cultural difference, it seems, though I have limited knowledge of that difference.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-41493654042615504812011-12-05T06:53:19.194-05:002011-12-05T06:53:19.194-05:00Change your background?! Yes please! And wish it w...Change your background?! Yes please! And wish it was WordPress so easier to follow - but that's a lot to ask!<br /><br />I feel unable to comment on this garden - I find it hard to really 'get' a garden from photographs and suspect the experience of it is very different from my imaginings.<br /><br />But an interesting issue is raised here, rather obliquely. How much do people see even a garden like this as something to support the gardening process as opposed to appreciating it for its own sake, with it's wonderfully restricted palette?Anne Warehamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13102518926229038553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-11437854551910495302011-12-04T22:16:49.271-05:002011-12-04T22:16:49.271-05:00Peter, one name comes to mind. Amalia Robredo is v...Peter, one name comes to mind. Amalia Robredo is very active in trialing and working with academics and local nurseries to identify good native plants and make them available for use in gardens. Her own garden, La Pasionaria, which I linked to in the post above, has many examples of beautiful plants native to this part of Uruguay. Unfortunately, most people are not aware (to my knowledge) of the richness of the Uruguayan native flora. It's too bad she couldn't, as one example, help enrich the borders surrounding that huge lawn. But, of course, one doesn't lightly tinker with a Juan Grimm garden. Thanks much for your comments on the post and photos. It was your rather exuberant reaction to the photos I sent you that prompted me to do this post.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-71013359227672598142011-12-04T19:28:15.666-05:002011-12-04T19:28:15.666-05:00I'm still quite struck by the restraint and el...I'm still quite struck by the restraint and elegance of this Juan Grimm garden..seeing these images for the second time. The craftsmanship, again, feels so much more soulful than what you might see in something comparable in North America. It's polished but feels more handmade than manufactured. But - this time - I feel like there's something missing. Perhaps I was too distracted by the structural elements and thoughtful, integrating layout to notice this when you showed them to me awhile back. Perhaps this is a garden IN NEED of a plantaholic? Hmm. This makes me wonder who might take care of such a place... and how much freedom they have to garden in such a seemingly controlled environment. There should always be room to improvise, yes, or things will become stale. <br /><br />This is a very skilled photoset, by the way. One of your best. Well done, Golden James.Peter Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16402931973397922450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-83188064324967900802011-12-04T16:45:41.664-05:002011-12-04T16:45:41.664-05:00Great to hear from you, Allan. I've been a rea...Great to hear from you, Allan. I've been a reader of your blog for a while now (it's in my google reader). My goal, it if were possible with a blog, is to promote some useful discussion about gardens and gardening--even disagreement and controversy--something more than "pretty picture" but, unfortunately, Blogger, unlike Wordpress, doesn't provide a way to follow comments and encourage feedback. And, yes, you are not the first person to ask me to change my background color. Having 66-year-old eyes myself, I do find the links in the right-hand column hard to read, so I plan to change the background to improve readability. Thanks for making that point and thanks for the positive feedback. I guess I needed a little kick in the ass.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-78135697017648252432011-12-04T12:23:38.386-05:002011-12-04T12:23:38.386-05:00Just stumbled across your very impressive site and...Just stumbled across your very impressive site and consider myself very lucky that I did. It is rare to discover a gardening blog where the comment section is as vibrant and engaging as the posts themselves. That is a reflection of the talent of the writer and the quality of the material posted.<br />However I must report that I am reading your blog with eyes that are well beyond age 65 and it is challenging to make out the details printed in red on a green ground in the right hand side of the blog.<br />Now that the gardening season is over, I plan to make it my business to read through all of your posts, over the winter months, to make sure that I have missed nothing.allanbecker-gardenguruhttp://allanbecker-gardenguru.squarespace.comnoreply@blogger.com