weeds – the clear need to change perception

Looking at gardens we often perceive certain plants as out of place and out of time, plants that weren’t purposely planted, yet somehow, they found a way to self-seed and grow. Commonly we call these plants weeds.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes a  weed as any wild plant that grows in an unwanted place, especially in a garden or field where it prevents the cultivated plants from growing freely.

Categorising plants is the domain of us humans and it means how we see certain plants is imbedded in our shared and culturally accepted perception.

Nature, in contrast, doesn’t give any labels. It doesn’t tell us, which plants are good or bad, desired or not. It welcomes all of them.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American poet and philosopher, once said : A weed is but a plant whose virtues remain undiscovered.

Building on  Emerson’s thinking, it is important to take a closer look  at all the plants that grow in our gardens.  

Being more open minded and accepting, towards what are currently seen as common weeds, will help shift the perspective and break negative connotations associated with these types of plants.

By developing a better understanding and appreciation of weeds, we discover, that they bring lots of value to our green environments. We can also experience their amazing properties and uses.

Achieving this shift in perception will not only bring beneficial change into our gardens, but will result in using common weeds as a source of valuable foods for our minds and bodies.

Feel free to contact us if you are looking for planting design services for your own project.