Sunday, August 02, 2015

How Tidy Should a Jungle Garden Be?

Sunday, August 02, 2015   Mark and Gaz   32 comments

We had a lovely, surprisingly very chilled out weekend giving the garden some extra preening and pruning.


Whilst sorting out the jungle area in particular we were once again asking ourselves the question, how tidy should a jungle garden be?

 Should it be immaculate seeming as it will be in a domestic garden setting ? Or should it be leaning towards being wild and unkempt as what a real jungle is?

 Too tidy and spotless seems odd and rigid. Too unkempt, well it is a 'garden' after all...

I suppose it all depends on what overall look you want to achieve. Like a lot of things there are happy compromises and in betweens. Personally, we'll go for that.

 What about you, how tidy should a jungle garden be?

 Mark :-)

Posted in: exotic blog , exotic garden , exotic garden blog , summer

32 comments :

  1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)2 August 2015 at 22:09

    I'm with you. A happy medium. It would be very difficult to keep it too pristine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz2 August 2015 at 23:33

      Especially with lots of bamboos dotted about Gerhard. They're a messy lot :)

      Delete
  2. rusty duck2 August 2015 at 22:45

    Looks like you have it about right, fronds that lightly brush the face but stop just short of grabbing you in a stranglehold!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alison2 August 2015 at 23:09

    I think a happy medium, that perhaps errs somewhat on the side of unkempt and wild, is best for a jungle-type garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz2 August 2015 at 23:36

      A little leaning towards the wild and unkempt look also buys time between maintenance as well Alison :)

      Delete
  4. Jean Campbell3 August 2015 at 02:52

    I tidy my jungles only in places that snakes might be a problem.

    ReplyDelete
  5. don3 August 2015 at 03:25

    I find it rather satisfying to let things get a bit untidy and scruffy and then do a grand clean up. My grand clean up consists of just raking all the debris from paths onto the garden. Neat paths and lawns if you have one always show things in a good light. Anyway it's been raining here so I have had to satisfy my OCD by checking for crumbs under the toaster :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz3 August 2015 at 07:36

      Hahaha!! A more relaxed attitude buys time between maintenance as well Don :)

      Delete
  6. Kris Peterson3 August 2015 at 05:13

    Tidy enough that you don't trip over anything or constantly get distracted by one messy bit or another but not so tidy that you don't have time to enjoy it. I expect you've struck the right balance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alan3 August 2015 at 13:04

    i think you've gotten it just right!

    ReplyDelete
  8. DC Tropics3 August 2015 at 13:37

    "Tidy" is in the eye of the beholder, but jungles by their very nature are not "tidy". I think "controlled chaos" is the best look for a jungle garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz3 August 2015 at 14:33

      Spot on John, staged or controlled chaos it is :)

      Delete
  9. Caro3 August 2015 at 13:51

    As long as you don't get slapped in the face every time you go in the garden, then you're managing it about right, I'd say! I'm having to restrain a few plants here as we head into late summer as there was a lot of ducking and weaving going on to get through the garden! Not complaining as I love things to look lush but a bit of a tidy up has improved manoeuvrability.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz3 August 2015 at 14:34

      In a way enjoy it Caro, before beds go bare again once colder months arrive :)

      Delete
  10. outlawgardener3 August 2015 at 16:33

    Happy medium seems to work nicely. Even that is difficult with the messy bamboos dropping their leaves all over everything all summer! Your garden always looks fab!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz3 August 2015 at 22:29

      Bamboos are fab but such messy plants aren't they Peter? :)

      Delete
  11. debsgarden4 August 2015 at 00:43

    I have had the same conversation with myself regarding my own "jungle." It can become quite wild, especially in the summertime. I spent an hour weeding early this morning and will do the same tomorrow. My thinking is that it must have the illusion of wildness but must be controlled by the gardener.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Roslyn4 August 2015 at 01:34

    I like a jungle that errs a bit on the wild side, otherwise why have a jungle. Besides the plants are healthier with natural mulch and shelter. But I do agree there needs to be some control as well. I think you've achieved a good compromise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz4 August 2015 at 05:47

      We've seen some jungle style gardens that are too pristine, seemed odd...

      Delete
  13. Unknown4 August 2015 at 07:43

    Keep doing whatever it is that you're doing. It always looks just right.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hoehoegrow4 August 2015 at 09:34

    Oh definitely wild and feisty! It's good to be whacked in the face by dripping wet fronds as you walk through! There is a tipping point though, where wild begins to look unkempt and uncared for, and I guess that point is different for every gardener. Yours just looks fab !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz4 August 2015 at 09:42

      Thanks Jane :) I guess it's really a case of striking a balance, and that depends on the perception of the gardener

      Delete
  15. Lisa C. D.4 August 2015 at 10:12

    I also think the medium choice is best! It looks great in your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown4 August 2015 at 20:51

    Taming the jungle? Well, we can try...but it will always be a little bit wild, just the way we like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz6 August 2015 at 13:25

      A little dose of wildness never did harm Ricki ;)

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to reply to our post, we love reading comments and hearing your views.

Due to the increased level of spam, please note comments on older posts are moderated and only published after approval. All new comments are read and any spam is deleted.