my creeping jenny rock garden: old ways meet new debates
Every time I walk through my backyard, I’m reminded of the rock gardens my grandmother tended in the Midwest. She believed in planting what thrived naturally—creeping Jenny was her favorite, a cheerful green carpet hugging the stones. I’ve tried to keep that tradition alive, but my garden looks a bit different. I’ve added quirky little statues—some neighbors love them, others say they clash with our community’s tidy look.
This spring, as the creeping Jenny spills over the rocks, I’m torn between nostalgia and the urge to try new things. My kids laugh at my old-fashioned choices, suggesting drought-tolerant succulents instead. They say it’s better for our changing climate, but I can’t let go of the plants that remind me of family picnics and simpler times.
Here in North America, especially with unpredictable weather, there’s always a debate: do we stick with the classics that survived our childhoods, or embrace modern, eco-friendly trends? Some folks in our neighborhood association argue that too much groundcover looks messy, while others cherish the wild, healing look of a natural garden. I wonder—should we follow strict community rules, or let our gardens reflect our memories and hopes?
Every morning, dew sparkles on the Jenny’s leaves, and I feel a quiet joy. But I also brace myself for another note from the HOA about my statues. Maybe that’s the real beauty of gardening: it’s where old memories and new ideas meet, sometimes clashing, always growing.
#rockgarden #creepingjenny #familytradition #Gardening
