The Hidden Beauty

To garden is a privilege, and as such we should revel in this passion, with not only great wonder, but with great respect for all aspects of life. Perhaps to a greater degree than ever, we give consideration to how what we do impacts not only the now, but the future. Yet since finding myself in the world of horticulture, one question flashes in neon above all others... how do we truly make this change?

I've given this question a lot of my time, and I have been fortunate enough to speak with great innovators within the industry who are not just making waves, but moving oceans as they strive to change the tide of convention. And through this, I have discovered a conclusion, one which is being proudly adorned here at Beth Chatto. That is, in order to ensure sustainability, ameliorate biodiversity and originate aesthetic with charm and fascination, we must learn to look beyond, to see what I coin 'The Hidden Beauty'.

All of us, through our love of plants, have the power and possibility to shape the world. We are starting to see it now: peat free compost, refusal in using chemicals harmful to ecology, embracing the landscapes if they be rural or metropolitan with individual reflection. However, it is seldom we have conversations about our green spaces without the feature of something akin to 'Those pesky slugs have savaged my hostas!', or 'rosemary beetles on the salvias! Good heavens, no!' Still, more of us than ever are taking these 'pests' (a term I would happily see stamped out) with a heavy heart and a quiet curse and not combating them with harmful measures. But, what about those who don't? What about those who reach for the chemical spray bottle? It can often seem we are partaking in an eternal tug of war, where one hopes to offset the other, whilst simultaneously doing all they can to amend for what was historically accepted.

It is something I feel exceptionally deeply about, a future shaping issue which through law and accepted policy we can begin to make roads towards gardening with actual responsibility. Yet, I fear there is reluctance, even if it be but a quiet voice, who would happily under the cover of nightfall waterboard a fuchsia in liquid uranium if it meant keeping the aphids off, regardless of what rules we have set ourselves.

All we need to do is to do what is right. 'And what's that?' I hear you ask. Well, I'm not entirely sure myself, but what I do know with absolute confidence is horticulture and the places we live will not change for the better until we change our perceptions... until we teach ourselves to see The Hidden Beauty.

I believe we must all see beyond the superficial vision of our green spaces in search of that hidden beauty, so when your hosta leaves have taken a munch, this fills us with the same joy as seeing the pristine and untouched. That when we see the metallic green and red stripes of rosemary beetles, our minds don't foresee leafless stems placing misery within us, but instead our hearts are consumed by wonder at these beautiful creatures. Why? Because we can then see our spaces are truly creating a better future, a greater world. The newts and hedgehogs are feasting well, full bellied finches and frogs are calling home what you have made, where you have placed your time and passion. Perpetuating life for life's sake. There surely isn't anything more beautiful than that.

Gardens should, no, they NEED to be more than designs of perfect plants. They deserve to be. We must keep them untainted of what harms not only life at this moment but the life which will be long after each of us are gone. This isn't a plea to omit perfection, but to give thought to how we perceive what makes an astonishing, gorgeous green space.

I am very grateful to be a part of a place here at Beth Chatto's, who are proud of holding this philosophy. Of course, there are conflicted voices, willing to cast doubt and disagreement, but the fight has never dwindled in playing our part in respecting the privilege we have as horticulturists. And we do so, with the wish that this perception of our gardens can no longer be coined 'The Hidden Beauty' for it is the only beauty there can truly be, now, and for the future.

By Rob Byford