Plants are the specialists. We're the generalists, able to see the whole design, able to plan and choose and set up patterns. We can't grow a plant, that's its job. What we can do is give it the best conditions possible, the ones that particular species will find "home-like."

We set up the environment within the walls of a garden, physically and psychically. We build and we invite other beings to help us give life to this creation. We exclude some (blackberries, asparagus beetles, slugs) and try to keep peace between others (by pruning the huge maple that's threatening to kill the peonies with its shade.) We choose.

And here are some of the choices we make: