On the Wild Side by Keith Wiley

On the Wild Side by Keith Wiley
 
This book was published on this day in 2004, and the subtitle is Experiments in the New Naturalism.

Ah, the wild garden! A place where nature's beauty can be untamed yet still retains its allure.

But what if we dared to let go of the reins entirely and let nature run wild and unchecked within our private sanctuaries?

This is the daring proposition of Keith Wiley's On the Wild Side.

Keith, a man possessed of a poet's soul and a gardener's green thumb, invites us on a journey through his own botanical wonderland. Inspired by the untamed landscapes of England, deserts, coastlines, mountains, and woodlands, Keith has created a garden that is as much a living, breathing work of art as it is a testament to the power of nature.

Keith created his wild garden in the early 2000s after being inspired by rural England.

He also discovered a world of influence by studying New England roadsides, the Colorado Rockies, Swiss Alpine Meadows, and the South African savannas.

In this book, Keith strives to capture "only the spirit of wild plantings and never attempt to replicate exactly any landscape or combination of plants." He has learned to focus on plant form, color, and placement, and his attention to detail is what makes his approach work so well.

Keith was an early advocate of grouping plants into plant communities. He loves it when plants self-seed - especially when they create beauty in unanticipated ways.

Gone are the days of manicured lawns, perfectly pruned hedges, and forced blooms. Keith's garden is a symphony of wild colors, textures, and scents. It is a place where plants dance and sway in the breeze, birdsong fills the air, and the only sound of human intervention is the gentle rustle of leaves beneath our feet.

But On the Wild Side is more than just a collection of stunning photographs. It is a philosophical exploration of what it means to garden in the 21st century. Keith challenges us to rethink our traditional notions of beauty and order, embrace the ephemeral nature of the natural world, and find joy in the unexpected.

Keith's book shares many of his favorite plants and plant groupings. He also offers tons of advice and ideas for gardens. He hopes to inspire us to get creative in this book, "freeing your own creative inner spirit from the straitjacket of horticultural tradition."

Wild gardens remind us that gardening is not just about creating a pretty picture; it is about connecting with the earth, nurturing our souls, and embracing the wild side of ourselves. So, let's cast aside our gardening gloves and aprons and embark on a wild adventure with Keith Wiley. After all, a garden, like life itself, is meant to be enjoyed, not controlled.

You can get a used copy of On the Wild Side by Keith Wiley and support the show, using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for under $8.