I adore visiting Rosemoor Gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society here in the UK. Though large in scale, its intimate charm makes me want to go there more often. Packed full with exciting plants yet welcoming for novice gardeners alike – its easy stroll around to discover new blossoms while birds sing from above.
At least, this is usually the case.
Public gardens often reach out to local people with special offers to encourage visits. You could visit Rosemoor this weekend for just PS1 per person! As can be expected in warm weather months, Rosemoor was packed – however due to being large enough and spacious enough that there was always quiet, peaceful spots away from crowds where visitors can take photographs without other visitors getting in the way; I have even become adept at snapping photographs without anyone in them or hitting the shutter just when someone passes behind a tree!
Rosemoor Gardens were absolutely fascinating on my recent visit. Gardens can often be more about experiencing than reflecting, with carpets of flowers, fragrant perfumes, the sound of wind through trees and sharing time with family or friends all adding up for an amazing sensory journey. This experience at Rosemoor was quite incredible.
Parents understandably want their young children to have a place to run around and burn off some energy, but this experience was far beyond that.
Garden staff witnessed this activity with amusement; visitors would drop stones into fountain holes, hit plants with sticks, tread over flowers and attempt to climb trees, all as guests left their mark in this beautiful space. I really felt for them: these were their plants to nurture and the mess they must clear up in order to maintain its aesthetic value for visitors to come later.
I wonder how often they clear stones out of this rill?
I thought I saw tears well up in one gardener’s eyes.
Public attractions must tread carefully these days when it comes to public relations. If a gardener asks someone else to stop their child from damaging the garden, that parent could go straight online and post negative reviews for the whole place – something which can be devastatingly costly for businesses that rely on friendly relationships for business success.
As I found myself distracted with darker thoughts, my mind wandered. Would it really be terrible if I accidentally karate-chopped little Henry on his next run past? Stephen’s constant shouting has become tiring; would a quick trip over a shoe sending him flying onto the grass be such an awful result? Additionally, little Georgina could use some help taking a closer look at those fish in the pond; maybe with just a gentle push I could show her their true colors!
Dear Reader:
Dear reader, I managed to overcome those negative thoughts without giving in.
Due to all of this confusion and willful destruction in the garden, I immediately left. Being an avid plant enthusiast myself, this meant only spending about thirty minutes of my time there before heading home again.
(There was also a flower show there, but I wanted to see the garden more.)
I don’t blame children. Their behaviors are indicative of our times; attractions are held hostage by threats of negative press. Parents know it, and many parents allow their little darlings to engage in destructive antics since it prevents their kids from wrecking things at home.
Before you label me as an old crank, something I have done since age 11, consider this: my generation and those of these children were much alike when we were children ourselves. So where has all this gone wrong?
Adult Supervision… for Adults
It wasn’t just adults ignoring their children’s behaviour; some were acting badly too. I rounded a corner to find one person standing atop an impressive hellebore so her friend could take pictures in exactly the right spot.
This would make an excellent setting for taking selfies; but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Elsewhere, parents actively encouraged their children to run around in borders or up onto planted walls so they could run up and down amongst the plants, picking flowers without worry or care for themselves.
As someone who works in gardens for a living, working alongside other gardeners only made me more frustrated than aggrieved. Working in gardens gives one an appreciation of others’ hard work.
Also, I don’t want the gardens damaged because I want to enjoy them too.
Why must my visit be marred by these bipedal fruits of sexual endeavour? Why must things I want to enjoy be marred by others’ intentional ignorance?
Problematic at Every Turn
This issue isn’t limited to just the RHS; gardeners who work for other organizations and independent gardens all had stories to tell me of similar encounters with potential problem. One told me it is commonplace for visitors to leave dirty nappies or excrement in parts of the garden; another shared an unpleasant story involving someone using his garden without permission and conducting full photoshoots without asking or permission… there are numerous stories….
Some visitors to gardens seem unaware of what constitutes appropriate behavior while others seem rude and disruptive wherever they go. I wonder whether other attractions would accept similar levels of bad behaviour? Museums may have valuable exhibits protected behind glass but I doubt if other attractions would tolerate unruly children and poorly behaved adults?
An outstanding climbing frame until it collapses completely.
At the end of the day, we all lose out. Delicate but beautiful garden plants will be replaced with ones more resistant to abuse; fine stonework could become obsolete; fountains won’t sing any longer due to ongoing repairs; they won’t provide cheerful music and sounds of life anymore!
Gardeners face a difficult dilemma: we want to spread the joys of gardening while at the same time protecting gardens from damage caused by visitors’ ignorance. How can this be accomplished without risking their destruction through visitor apathy?
Now it seems I must garden visit in the rain; this way I am certain of finding peace and quiet.
