Ebbs and Flows - part 2

I would like to open part two of Ebbs and Flows by quoting a few words from Mrs Theresa Earle who authored the runaway best seller Pot Pourri from a Surrey Garden, first published in 1897 by Smith Elder and Co. She was the aunt of Edwin Lutyen's wife.

"I cannot explain too much that the object of my work (book) is to try to make everyone think of him or herself, and at the same time to profit by the instruction which in these days is so easy to get, and is all around us."

The other quote is this:

"On first going into a garden one knows by instinct, as a hound scents the fox, if it is going to be interesting or not."

And so it is today, information is all round us, the advent of the electronic age makes it very easy for us all to click and look up a particular plant. Often an inquiry can lead to conflicting notes on what one should be doing. Faced with this conundrum, one sometimes turns to societies or plant clubs, only to be faced with a more streamlined puzzle of posting etiquette and or rules of engagement concerning posting. Eventually the enquirer gives in and lurks until their membership lapses. I only mention this because this happens so often and it is not addressed at its core. So many members of a plant society which I personally joined have left feeling under-appreciated.

Ebbs and Flows happen for so many reasons, memberships to various Societies are governed by our own economic needs and also perhaps even more importantly, the sense of belonging.

I guess this is why we persevere with Alpines and Bulbs because the free exchange of growing news and often the free exchange of plant materials brings us all a little closer together in this uncertain world.

Certainly some have said that the only certainties are the inevitable losses, whilst others see the essence of possibilities contained in each seed sown.

When we look at her second quote, "On first going into a garden one knows by instinct, as a hound scents the fox, if it is going to be interesting or not"; we can all relate to her wise words for we have all been at times in a garden filled to the brim with rare treasures, immaculately laid out, and

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