Border Patrol August 27, 2009
of The Seasonal Walk Saga
By Tovah Martin
The Shake Down
We all wondered how it would shake down; we were all spellbound waiting to see how Oudolf/van der Kloet’s symphony would play out as the season rolled on. But because we didn’t really have a template – because the design is so innovative – we didn’t know what to expect. Well, now we know. The Plot Thickens.Where most perennial borders climax in June/July and then slowly limp into fall, the Seasonal Walk picks up momentum as the summer wears on. Earlier in the season, each perennial block was distinct, with its own parameters. Together, the blocks formed an Impressionistic scene. But now, the boundaries have all but disappeared. It’s a border without borders, if you will. The perennials blend – they mass into a bouquet with big masses of color. And it’s very much like nature unplugged. Of course, an astonishing level of expertise and genius went into making natural happen – but it feels totally uncontrived. The beauty of the Seasonal Walk is that it’s refreshingly laid back and almost meadow-like, but bursting with all the blossoms, color, synchronization, and accents to send out the signals that say Garden! And express it loud and clear.
