Voltairs's Candide, disillusioned with the world's affairs said Il faut cultiver son jardin.
Good idea!
Letting some areas of the grass grow and cutting paths through is working quite well so far, but it is a fine line between relaxed (which is what I am calling my new garden style!) and neglected.
On warm sunny days, of which we have had a lot in June, it looks romantic and lush, but when it gets flattened by rain or wind I have to say it just looks messy.
All in the eye of the beholder of course and if I am feeling good I love it, if I am panicking slightly that I will never be able to keep up the garden without Barry, not so good..
I think how you treat the edges and the perimeter makes all the difference. I try to keep border edges really sharp. I only cut the obvious ones, but with new super-sharp long handled shears it only takes minutes, and if I do it often I get away with not picking up the trimmings...you get the idea I'm sure...
This edge below used to get strimmed right up to the wall. Who knew there were so many marguerites in there?
Elsewhere alchemilla mollis and hardy geraniums hide a multitude of sins.
I never did get this bed weeded or the surface moss removed, but it doesn't show now. (Hope to tackle it in the autumn.)
I've decided the leaning fence looks whimsical and rather romantic. (Another job for autumn.)
It's so relaxed it's falling over!