When you hear the word “wilding” what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you live near Indian Wells Beach in the Hamptons, it might be the crowds now taking the new “Cannonball” express train to the beach to party hardy. Or it could be the packed clubs in Montauk. (Note the apparent palm tree abuse in the thumb image from Memorial Day weekend).
For me, the word wilding first brings up memories of the Central Park Jogger case, which, by the way, is being completely reevaluated in court. The word wilding, however, is officially defined by Webster’s Dictionary as follows: “a plant growing uncultivated in the wild either as a native or an escape; especially : a wild apple or crab apple.” Some trees are more prone to wilding than others. For example, there is a special task force, a Wilding Conifer Managament Group, regarding the management of out-of-control wilding conifers. It’s clear in the Hamptons that bamboo is invasive and wilding.
The word “rewilding” doesn’t show up in Webster’s at all. This word was coined by Dave Foreman, who is a conservationist and activist. Depending on the context, it connotes varying degrees of intensity with regard to restoring natural conditions in the environment. At its most extreme, rewilding involves Agenda 21 and the unsettling of private land in order to recreate vast untamed wilderness that will be off limits to humans. But a more subdued use of the word rewilding has to do with the promotion of beautiful and natural landscapes.
When it comes to wild landscape designs, news has it that the world-renowned landscape designer, Piet Oudolf is in the Hamptons working on a new landscape project. Mr. Oudolf is from Holland and is famous for his creative, natural-looking designs, such as the stunning High Line Park in Manhattan, an aerial greenway utilizing an abandoned, elevated railway on the west side of Manhattan featuring approximately 210 indigenous species. Oudolf recently completed an exquisite natural landscape for a residence in Nantucket, as displayed in a slide show at this link.
In the Times Magazine review, “A Wilder Way”, Noel Kingsbury offered a brief hint of Oudolf’s design sensibilites:
“Oudolf began to use more and more “unconventional” plants in the gardens he made for clients. He was particularly drawn to plants with strong visual structures like grasses and members of the Queen Anne’s lace family; he once said, only half-jokingly, that “a plant is only worth growing if it looks good when it’s dead.”
Oudolf’s approach to landscape design embraces both an aesthetic realism and environmental realism. He does not seem to be as involved in plant politics. Margie Ruddick, however, took on a little political heat when she began rewilding her own front yard in Philidelphia. This award-winning designer, however, received a lot of public support at her public hearing and eventually persistence won out:
“The City of Philadelphia took a dim view of her decision to stop mowing the lawn of her East Mount Airy house and let it return to nature, pokeweeds and all. But, it was clear as the panel went beyond its 60-minute time frame and the audience kept growing, that the lovefest for the environment hit a nerve.”
Agenda 21 takes plant politics to a whole new level. Private property and single family homes are deemed unsustainable; i.e., to be discontinued. This United Nations plan is supported by politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and opposed by politicians such as Senator Rand Paul. Though controversial, most US citizens do not know what Agenda 21 is. A June 2012 poll revealed that 9 percent support Agenda 21, 6 percent opposed it, and 85 percent do not know enough to form an opinion. Considering what it entails, it’s probably a good idea to read up on it a little.
The Guardian offered an interesting quote about Piet Oudolf regarding knowledge and freedom: "Now 68, Piet Oudolf confessed to only feeling truly free in his work about five years ago, when he realised that your freedom as a designer is restricted only by your knowledge." The relationship between knowledge and freedom is important on many levels in life.
Rewilding in the Hamptons today is perhaps best exemplified on a small scale by the natural-looking front yard of the Southampton Post Office. For husbands who do not feel like mowing the lawn, these examples may bring up some handy excuses. “Honey, why didn’t you mow the lawn for 2 weeks?” "Don't worry, I'm just rewilding the front yard.”
Thumb-sized photo is credited to Jazmine @jazmin_ng via Guest of a Guest.
Post first published at Warren's Nursery
