Our back garden is a mess. The front third is a football pitch and so the lawn has disappeared. The middle third hosts a trampoline, so all the grass underneath has died. And the back third is for the washing line. The grass is overgrown and all sorts of weird and wonderful weeds have appeared. Around the edges are a series of bushes that were once delicate cuttings. Now wild and wonderful. And then there are the plants that have forced their way in – the ivy, the brambles, the nettles.
A complete shambles, but I rather like it. It’s not your classic manicured English garden, but it’s interesting, because it has taken on a life of its own. I’m not sure my wife agrees, but it’s a narrative which allows me to avoid doing too much gardening!
So look at the photos here. You wouldn’t get these with that classic, looked-after garden.
I want to give a big up to Sarah Takes Pictures, a blog which inspired me to take these shots when the sun came out today. Sarah takes photos of the plants and the scenery around her home pretty much daily. And they are wonderful photos. Well worth checking out. Click on the link above.
Double click on any of these photos for a full size image.
Spring is sprung.
I love this one. Growth, beauty, close to fulfillment.
There are footballs everywhere in our garden. Mostly burst. How, why, a mystery. (Don’t) ask my son.
These bikes have been rusting away at the back for a few years now. Must take them to the dump one day!
Circles.
Trampoline.
So the garden furniture is past its best, but it takes a decent photo.
The holly tree reflected in the table.
Washing lines can be interesting.
So can taps.
We have a sun dial. You can just about see it.
The shed. With old catherine wheel firework still hanging there. Inertia.
And, last of all, and a tribute to Sarah, the forgotten tennis ball.
If you’d like to see a few more of these photos, have a look at my Flickr collection. See the right hand side bar.
Thoughtsfromwestfive 
John, this is ever so lovely. The cherry shadow is splendid, thanks for sharing ; )
Thanks Mari, appreciate your interest. I’m finding your poems intriguing.
John, did you clean your tap specially? – mine is always covered in cobwebs (and – dare I say it – even more photogenic as a result). Loved the pix.
Wouldn’t dream of cleaning anything! Thanks for the comment.
I must say, I find yards and gardens of this nature just as interesting — if not more interesting — than neatly manicured, perfectly color-themed and tastefully accessorized gardens. It looks like someone actually lives here and enjoys the space; it has a personality. There are lots of wonderful pictures here but I particularly enjoy the shadow of the holly tree and the neat texture of the table, and the view of the grass through the little peephole (table?). And of course the tennis ball, and the other assorted balls!
Thanks so much for linking to my blog. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it and found some inspiration there!
Thanks Sarah. Hope my link takes a few people to your blog, because they’re such good photos. I’ve just gone onto Freshly Pressed with a totally different subject – Air Guitar! A few people are then finding their way onto the unEnglish garden.
Oh phew I’m not the only one with a semi wild garden (it’s good for the wildlife!). I love the Catherine wheel still attached, I removed ours about two weeks ago when I braved putting out the first washing of the year!!
Let’s campaign for wild gardens! One advantage is that you hardly have do anything with them. Ealing in urban West London is teeming with wildlife at night, including foxes.
I agree with everyone. I find wild gardens have more character, more mystery than perfectly manicured ones.
It’s a fantastic excuse for doing nothing, too!
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