Texture and pattern are usually talked about in a design sense. When you look beyond the bloom.
So, if you want a mini-design lesson on texture, one of the best I ever read is here:
The Secret to a Beautiful Garden by the Renegade Gardener
Please take the time to click on his link. It's a bonus lesson from me to you. (And, no, I don't know him, and he doesn't know me.)
So, that's texture. Now let's talk about pattern. No design lesson here. Instead, I'm going to tell you about one of the smallest patterns you will see in a garden, but one that I love to look for.
Anyone that has grown a plant close to a window or in half shade knows that the plant grows toward the light. This phenomenon is known as phototropism.
How plants do this bending is remarkable. The cells on the darker side of the plant actually grow longer than the other side. What allows them to do this is a hormone that breaks down the cell walls so that the cell can expand without breaking, thus allowing the plant to turn and bend.
And not only does the entire plant slowly bend toward the light, but each and every leaf turns to where it can get the most light. Like a class picture where even the child in the back has his face toward the camera, each little leaf raises his neck just enough to smile at the sun.
That's the tiny pattern that is both beautiful and amazing to me. Next time you are out in the garden, look closely at your plants. You will see each little leaf showing his face, smiling to the sun.
I can almost guarantee you will smile back.
Thanks, Holley... Yes, the plants all grow toward the light.... I don't blame them... I love feeling the sun on me when I'm outside ---especially this time of year...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I love the title, it says it all! The link did not work for me though.
ReplyDeleteBetsy - I always found it fascinating that each and every leaf will find a spot where they are in the sun's rays. I never thought about leaves moving after emerging.
ReplyDeleteGWGT - Sorry. It works for me, but could just be it'll work only on my computer. Anyway, it's a little hard to get to, but worth the extra trouble. First, go to www.renegadegardener.com, click on Design, and scroll down to The Secret to a Beautiful Garden (9-17-01).
Holley, thank you for the link to the Renegade Gardener. Like him, I've heard this advice before but I've never really thought a lot about how to put it into action.
ReplyDeleteMarguerite - I'm so glad the link worked for you. I read this years ago, and have never stopped thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteHolley: Thanks for sharing the link. He's a very good writer, too, and captures the joy of discovering a beautiful garden and simply enjoying it. I think the previous owners of my garden had this kind of design sense. The foliage comes first--but partly that's because of the shade. This is a great post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes i smiled because i visualize each leaf smiling at the sun, and their necks bent to reach the open. It is also a bit nostalgic for me as i remember all those physiology classes, where you will not understand unless you know all the mechanisms of all plant hormones, auxins, gibberellins, abscissic acid, ethylene, hahaha! Oh i forgot cytokinins. They are like our hormones too, that in very minute quantities affect growth and development. And would you believe we concoct them and of course experiment on their effects. You brought me down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteI am back to thank you for the link, but maybe that becomes different when you are in the tropics. Regarding your question in my post, if the last photo is a bark, actually not. It is a dead coral rock. Interesting how it looks like a bark, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteAh, phototropism, that's the word for it.
ReplyDeletePlantPostings - How wonderful to have a garden with that much interest. Of course, if you have shade, you do have to think more along those lines to start with. Sometimes it's hard to get past those pretty blooms!
ReplyDeleteAndrea - Wow - I have not taken any of those types of classes. For me, it is pure magic! Thanks for letting me know about the coral rock. That makes sense - I see it now.
Mac - Throw that word around in a few sentences! ;)
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
ReplyDeleteI did not know anything about the science behind a plant turning to the sun. Nature is fascinating.
Holley, I find it fascinating how all plants bend to the light, it's just something we take for granted, and the patterns they create.
ReplyDeleteI had a wonderful time reading the post you linked to...now I know why some gardens just set me on my haunches when I wander into them; there are gardens that simply amaze me, and one we toured years ago in Door County is no longer in existence. How I miss her garden, it was an inspiration for my own, but ours is simply a poor attempt at recreating what she knew how to do naturally.
Thank you for the link, I'm going to take a hard look at the textures in this garden again.
Hey Holley...thank you for the link and I like how you talked about looking closely at your plants and them smiling. Sometimes we need to do that more often and really appreciate how truly amazing they are!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article--it made me wish I was more deliberate in my designing and planting, but I doubt I will ever be.
ReplyDeleteThat was a very interesting article, thank you for sharing! I'm learning fast ... its all about the texture and foliage!
ReplyDeleteWonderful lesson...I remember teaching the basic concept to my 4th grade class yrs ago but did not get into the cell structure...I will definitely be looking for those smiling faces..
ReplyDeleteGreat post...I think we forget too often that plants are living creatures who can and DO react to their environment!
ReplyDeleteJennifer - I think it is, too! We don't really think of plants having hormones, or being able to break through their cell walls! They really are amazing.
ReplyDeleteKaren - Glad you enjoyed the link. I grow so many roses, I have a hard time incorporating texture, but it is always on my mind. I need to look closer at the gardens that wow me.
My Garden Diaries - I don't talk to my plants (much), but I do smile at them a lot!
carolyn - I rarely plan out my plantings. I just pick up what's available, or what's pretty on a whim. I don't think I'll ever be more deliberate, either. It's too much fun to be spontaneous!
GardeningBlog - You are learning fast. Your garden is growing and becoming more beautiful every day.
Donna - Funny how I'm just now learning what 4th graders know!
scott - I think we forget that because they don't move around like we do, or our pets. Of course, I move my plants around enough to think they've grown legs!
I ended up staying up late browsing Renegade Gardener's site. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMac - haha Yes, his site does have a lot of information on it. I actually hadn't been to it in years, until this meme jogged my memory. I'll have to take a few hours to catch up on his words of wisdom myself!
ReplyDeletePlants are just so fascinating. I studied plant anatomy recently and I find it incredible that so much is going on in the stems and leaves.
ReplyDeletewellywoman - That is so true. It is fascinating, but so rarely thought about.
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