Hi GPODers!
Today is my last day managing the GPOD (for now!), and I wanted to take a moment to talk about something we all know instinctively but rarely say out loud: the photos we share here—and the ones that make it into the magazine—are the best photos of those gardens. They’re the moments we or the gardeners captured when the light was perfect, the blooms behaved, and the weeds stayed out of frame. And when our editors visit gardens to shoot, they select the images that best represent the space.
Because of that—and because most of the internet works the same way—it can create the illusion that everyone has it together, that their gardens are always pristine, and that every plant thrives. Social media only amplifies that impression.
But as gardeners, we know better. If I’m being fully honest, I’ve probably failed more often than I’ve succeeded. My garden is a long story of small triumphs and many, many lessons. So today, I thought I’d share a few of those lessons with you.
The Hydrangea That Ate the House
I love this hydrangea shrub (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3 to 9), but it is way too big for this spot. I take some comfort in knowing I wasn’t the one who planted it here, but I certainly let it grow out of bounds. Cutting it back hard—and maybe even moving it—is on the to-do list for next season.
Right Plants, Right Places and Getting It Done Already
Similarly, the roses in this area desperately need a haircut and a relocation. They’re too close to the path and love snagging clothing as you walk by. They’d be much happier (and friendlier) in a spot where they can sprawl. And no, those native wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘Kentucky Blue’, Zones 4 to 9) in the photo still aren’t in the ground… another season later. They are struggling, and I know exactly why.
Seedlings, Baskets, and the Trouble With Too Much
Those seedlings in the tray? They should have been transplanted ages ago. I love starting seeds, but I struggle with keeping up—and I always grow too many because I want all the plants. One of my goals is to scale back and give a few special seedlings the attention they deserve this next year.
As for those charming basket plantings: cute at first, a disaster by the end of the season. Baskets look great in theory as budget-friendly containers, but in practice, they don’t hold up. They’re far better suited for indoor use as decorative covers for real containers, especially if properly lined.
The Houseplant Problem
Speaking of containers… I am guilty of bringing home way too many houseplants. We don’t have a ton of window space, and what little we do have becomes a jungle every winter. It’s too much to care for, and too much to shuffle in and out with the seasons. We’ve pared down a bit, but not nearly enough. The winter sun doesn’t stand a chance. Quite a few folks will be receiving plants this holiday season.
Bearded Iris—Too Much of a Good Thing
This bed started out lovely but quickly became unmanageable. I adore bearded iris (Iris × germanica, Zones 3 to 9), but they spread, and this space simply isn’t large enough. I dig up bucketfuls every year and give them away, but the truth is they just don’t belong here. Maybe this will be the year I relocate them all… maybe.
The Battle of the Edges
Another ongoing challenge: keeping the garden edges crisp. I stopped working with landscapers after too many newly planted perennials were accidentally weed-whacked. Determined to handle maintenance myself, I discovered it’s no small task. Things grew too big, the edges blurred, and mastering the equipment (like a weed whacker whose line seems to magically vanish) has been a comedy of errors. Having two toddlers hasn’t simplified things either, but I know they’ll be excellent garden helpers someday. This shot is from two seasons ago, and believe me when I say these plants have grown and spread. The edges are imperceivable at this point. I’m sure I’ll get to it this coming year.
The Tip of the Iceberg
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to lessons learned and struggles I’ve faced in the garden. I’ve lost countless plants along the way. I’ve started seeds that never sprouted (looking at you, lavender and echinacea), and I’ve poured time into plants only to watch them succumb to pests or disease. And that garden bed that was too small for all those bearded iris? Yes… I planted monarda there too.
If there’s one thing gardening keeps teaching me, it’s that none of us really have it “figured out.” And honestly? That’s the fun of it. Every season brings a fresh chance to try something new, laugh at what didn’t work, and celebrate the things that somehow did. So if your garden beds look a little wild, or you’ve made planting choices you now regret, welcome to the club! The “perfect garden” doesn’t exist; only the perfectly imperfect one you’re tending right now.
And you know what? We’d love to see it.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Felco Pruning Shears (F 9) - High Performance Swiss Made One-Hand Left-Handed Garden Pruners
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Okatsune 103 Bypass Pruners General Purpose Medium
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Comments
Well that was the best ever, I loved reading about the things that can and did go wrong. Too many perfections are showcased on these daily photos, and although I admire them all, they make me wish I could do better. This one made me smile. I like this one! Do another one like it please! And be careful, rose bushes don’t usually do well. When replanted.
Thank you Sandy! I will definitely be careful replanting. I think it has to be done, they just don't work in their current location. Happy to share more 'what went wrong' posts with you - plenty to discuss!
Truth in gardening-I love it!
Ahhh , not everything is perfect . In fact , nothing is . I personally try to land "in-between" where I maintain and prop but at the same time , allow one area to go crazy .
One benefit that I find is that when I allow the gladiolus , Susans and conies that want to fall over TO fall over , they create a very colorful "bed" at the base of other standing , flowering plants . It really fills the area , top to bottom with color . And yeah , it looks different to seeing them bend over and even lay down and mix in with the lower foliage, but after just a short time , it becomes the norm and the canvas is completely covered .
I also use the center stone path as my "birthing center" . And personally , I love the results --- but that's just me . I'm kind of rogue or a rebel to "conventional" bed gardening . Break the mold a bit , I guess .
Maaaaaybe , I'll keep that path clear next year ---- but then again , maaaaaaaybe I won't .
Peace from the Mohawk Valley in central NYS
Oh your garden looks pretty to me, and i do like the solutions you mention about letting the coneflowers fall over as they please and not fighting it!
Beautiful photos! And a great story with regard to letting nature do its thing. I hope you'll submit these and maybe some more so we can post them! Would love to be able to share your story around this in the blog.
I just had a submission that was published titled , "All Lilies" or something close to that . But with many of us in "garden hibernation" til the spring , I'm sure someone will appreciate seeing lots of color . I'll canvas my files for shots that will be more messy than neat . Peace .
That certainly resonates!! I have been massaging this garden for years - embracing the well-behaved, wrestling with floppers, replacing thugs, battling weeds, installing edging one bed at a time as time, as weather and energy allow. It’s a dance…
To the writer of this post (I don't see your name)- this is so refreshingly honest and true! Well said! And sorry to learn this is your last day managing the GPOD for a while.
My garden has what I call "The Ugly Corner" that has challenges for sure- had to dig everything out around the big ugly air conditioner to replace it when it broke down, and nothing hides it without reducing accessibility and air flow to it.. So my garden photos avoid that corner. I have a small entrance to the seating area that draws you in and then there it is- Ohhhhh no! "The Ugly Corner!"
The ugly corner is really beautiful, Sue! And I forgot to put my name on the post - oops! It is me, Christine. Great to see this post resonated with folks. It feels good to be honest about the struggles we face with gardening!
Sue - your garden looks beautiful to me - lush greenery, a path, and I love the bricks!
One idea : Erect some 4 x 4" wire fencing with the ample spacing around the unit . Then , plant some vines of your choice . A combination of different clematis would be a great start . They're not invasive , easy to groom and provide not only great cover , but some nice scents . I would make sure I had some Hall's honeysuckle in there also for a summer scent . Autumn honeysuckle flowers in the , um , autumn so you'll have flowering going on in the spring , summer and autumn .
Another suggestion would be tall and big-leafed plants . First in my mind would be cannas of different heights . BIG leaves , heavy stalk , beautiful flowers . COMBINE some of those vines on the wire fencing with close-by flowering plants and you'll be BRINGING people to it . Just my 47 cents . Peace .
This doesn't look ugly to me!
Christine - thank you for sharing.
Especially:
"I’ve probably failed more often than I’ve succeeded. My garden is a long story of small triumphs and many, many lessons."
"And when our editors visit gardens to shoot, they select the images that best represent the space."
And I like how you mentioned edging. Just yesterday I refreshed my memory of how to do English style edging which I usually do once a year in a small area in the front of my house.
I learned a slightly different technique in this video that might make it a bit easier:
Edge Beds Like a Pro Using Only A Shovel by Silver Cymbal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgqBC4EIxQ
Thank you Cynthia, I will take a look at this video - keeping the edges clean is a constant battle!
Thank you for this - I constantly battle feeling like a total loser in the garden. I just had to cut back a hydrangea that was eating one of my shady areas. Need to transplant several things AND prune back the gnarled hazel at one corner of my pool area borders. I've never pruned one before so will be as careful as possible while keeping it from gobbling up that entire area. Oh to have Harry Potter's wand to control Harry Lauder's Walking Stick!
Since some themes have been suggested in this thread... I am wondering if composting could be a theme for some photos - a successful or disastrous container or pile, how long it took for material to be usable, and or what sorts of soil or plants benefited from the compost...
Take some photos now and next year?
I think composting would be a good subject for a GPOD, Cynthia!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in