Garden Names

[Kim]

Amongst our fellow palm-crazed forum members, I notice a few, at least, have bestowed names on their gardens. So we have "Jackson's Jungle" at Wal's, named after his late companion, Jackson, a beloved canine. Then we have Rock Ridge Ranch from Gtlevine, which is a fitting description of the terrain. Also, MattyB is developing Manambe Lavaka, which is Malagasy for...er,...something to do with a garden. It sounds good. Then there is the eponymous Lundkvist Palm Garden, no explanation needed. Many large gardens are named after the people who started them: Huntington, Fairchild. But then you have Lotusland, named for the flowers growing in the pond, and possibly reference to the owner's interest in eastern religions.

It hasn't yet occurred to me to name my garden, and I wonder if the garden will need a name, or if a name will eventually suggest itself. Of course, it's very small, very young, doesn't draw palm pilgrims, nor does it have its own web site. Still, a day may come when a name rises out of the fog and sticks, because it will seem right.

Anyone else have a name, official or unofficial, for your garden? If your garden doesn't have a name, have you ever thought about it? What is it that makes us name our gardens? Does a name enhance a garden, or suggest a way of thinking about the garden? Is it the affection for the garden that brings about the name? Is it merely a practicality? Or whimsy, or fantasy? Are there traditions involved in naming gardens?

What do you think?

[Moose]

Kim - I applaud your desire to seek a tradition. In my opinion, if it is your garden you should name it as you please.

Best regards,

Ron.

[Dypsisdean]

Kim,

This topics elicits thoughts along the same lines as a topic a started a few years ago here.

That is, do you even call your garden a garden? In other words, at what point does your yard become a garden? Many people plant palms in their 'yard.' And many go out to do 'yard work.' For some reason, when I started referring to my garden as a 'garden,' I thought of it differently. Gardening was much more pleasant than yard work. A 'yard' can be anything, but a 'garden' evokes a specific vision and emotion. No one names their 'yard.'

BTW - My garden is named Mana Mauka - Hawaiian loosely translated as Mountain Spirit/Soul.

[John Case]

What's Hawaiian for 'More Work?'

[newcal]

Im thinking of calling my place " LIVISTONA LODGE" once i get my gully planted out with stands of livistona sps. The "lodge" part comes from giving friends and family a place to r n r while enjoying their stay here with us( like the Elhoagies ,Jack and Lindsey). ....cheers Mike Green (NEWCAL)

[Darold Petty]

Hello Kim; I don't name my garden or my palms, with one exception. I have two plants of Trachycarpus wagnerianus, they are siblings from the same seed batch, and one is male, the other female. They are named Siegmund and Sieglinde! (This is an inside joke based on Richard Wagner's opera 'Die Walkure') So far, they have not produced the hero of the world, Siegfried!!

[bgl]

Kim,

Thanks - learned a new word today (eponymous - had to look it up! ). And never gave much thought to the "naming process" - it just seemed the obvious choice at the time!

Bo-Göran

BTW, John: "work" in Hawaiian: "hana" and "more" could be either "hou" or "keu". Garrin would be better than me with this, but I believe "more work" in Hawaiian would be "hana keu". And the name is available! Go for it!

[Dypsisdean]

A better phrase used all the time, and much more agreeable, is "pau hana." - Meaning 'after work,' or when 'work is done.' But as we know, work in the garden is never done. Or should I say, gardening is never done.

[bgl]

I don't know about that, Dean! While I agree with what you said, to me, 'pau hana' is the complete opposite of what John was asking....

[ariscott]

Ours is Wheeler's Landing... well, not the garden name really, it is the property's name... It has all sorts of tropicals, so we decided not to name it based on specific plants.

Regards, Ari

[John Case]

Kim,

Thanks - learned a new word today (eponymous - had to look it up! ). And never gave much thought to the "naming process" - it just seemed the obvious choice at the time!

Bo-Göran

BTW, John: "work" in Hawaiian: "hana" and "more" could be either "hou" or "keu". Garrin would be better than me with this, but I believe "more work" in Hawaiian would be "hana keu". And the name is available! Go for it!

Please allow me to take this name with honor and humility...........Hana Keu......

now back to the garden, got some digging to do!

Hana_Keu.pdf

[Jeff Searle]

Kim,

This was a great topic you started, and certainly has been something I have been thinking over the last 2-3 years or so. I think I'm leaning towards something in Malagasy, a place that means so much to me. But, for the time being, I'm still creating day by day a collection of tropicals that someday will give us the feeling of a small piece of paradise.

Jeff

[Jeff in St Pete]

The property that I live on is called Akira Reserve.

I think of the entire property as one big garden!

[palmmermaid]

Kim, great topic!

Over the last few months I've begun to think of my piece of paradise as a "garden" instead of a "yard". And it does give a different meaning to it. I am an avid scuba diver and love the sea. Mermaids are a favorite mythical creature - along with unicorns - so I've been toying with Mermaid's Garden. I thought about Mermaid Ranch but thought that might give the worng impression! So Mermaid's Garden it is.

[Moose]

Kitty - "Magical Gardens" since you are into mythical magical creatures.

Just a thought.

Best regards,

Ron.

[Kim]

Dean brings up a good point. The 'yard' transitions to a 'garden' as the thought process evolves to a higher degree of consciousness and intent. (Oh boy, that sounds hokey!) But instead of 'sticking some rare palms in the yard', the gardener is considering placement, microclimates, soil, water, exposure -- the plant's experience -- and also composition, contrast, texture, companion plants, views, pathways, seating, lighting, art -- the human experience. Mana Mauka, very nice choice, Dean.

Bo, your garden name is the obvious choice, and fortunately quite distinctive. You might have been forced to be more creative if you name were John Smith instead of Bo-Göran Lundkvist.

John, your photo montage suggests that Hana Keu might translate to 'serenity' from Hawaiian! Looking at your photos I would never guess it means 'more work'!

Darold, only you would have a pair of palms named for figures from an opera. Bravo!

Mike, 'Livistona Lodge' seems like a natural choice for your place, it has a casual, friendly sound, as does Ari's 'Wheeler's Landing'.

Jeff S., someday I hope to visit your garden, it looks brilliant in photos, probably drop-dead gorgeous in person. A name will come to mind eventually, and it will be perfect.

Jeff in CR, is Akira a place name, person's name, or does it have special meaning? The term 'Reserve' certainly conveys a protective attitude, I like that.

Kitty, Mermaid's Garden is a great name for your garden, I really like it.

Let's hear more names and discussion about garden names, this is quite interesting.

I have to admit, it feels a little silly and self-indulgent when I think of naming my present garden. In other words, it doesn't seem worthy of a name at the moment. Anyone else feel that way?

[bgl]

Kim,

Thanks for your comments. And talking about names, HIPS (Hawaii Island Palm Society) has scheduled a garden tour this coming Sunday, June 7th, at a beautiful garden north of Hilo: Ho'owaiwai. The previous owner planted numerous palms there in the 1990s and also ran a nursery (which has since closed) and I have been there many times. Most of my larger Dypsis pilulifera were purchased from Ho'owaiwai (generally in a 5G size). Anyway, the name Ho'owaiwai is pretty fascinating. "Wai" in Hawaiian means "water". Usually, when a Hawaiian word is repeated it emphasizes whatever the word means. In other words, "waiwai" would typically mean "plenty of water". However, it actually translates to "goods, property, value, worth, estate, financial, etc.". And "ho'owaiwai" translates to "to enrich" or "to bring prosperity". Water, in Hawaii as would be the case elsewhere, is a valuable commodity, and having plenty of water, or access to water, automatically meant prosperity. Especially if you're into growing stuff! Which was certainly the case with the old Hawaiians!

Bo-Göran

[palmmermaid]

Kitty - "Magical Gardens" since you are into mythical magical creatures.

Just a thought.

Best regards,

Ron.

Ron,

Not too mythical - mermaids, unicorns, and dragons. But I love the water and so does my husband so I decided on Mermaid's Garden.

Kim,

When I think about a garden, I think of a place of rest and yet filled with activity. It is peaceful but brutal. It brings to mind so much more than yard does. Yard says barn yard, brick yard, lumber yard. Garden just brings to mind a different meaning.

if anyone is interested I just read a great book by Michael Pollan (one of my favorite authors) called Second Nature. It is a whole new perspective on gardening. Check it out.

[Moose]

Kitty - sounds great! Maybe a fountain depicting mermaids may be an appropriate addition to

Mermaid Gardens.

Best regards,

Ron.

[MattyB]

I think I first noticed personal garden names while reading the PSSC Journal. Leland Lai always had 'Jardin Topagonia' after his name in the by line. I thought, "what does that mean?" After learning that he lived in the Topanga area of LA and knowing that Jardin means garden, it started to make sense. I liked that idea of naming your garden. It seems to make it official, give it a life of it's own that can carry on and continue growing, even after you die. After visiting Dean at his 'Mana Mauka' garden I knew I wanted to give my place a name too! I thought of many names that described the topography and the location like: Valley View, Via De La Valle, Rocky Ridge , West Slope, Lone Pine, Lajartugas Locos (crazy lizards), and some others that I even posted at our house warming party to get suggestions on the name. Nothing quite fit. After traveling to Africa and falling in love with it, Jen has applied that motif to our decor, so we decided to look for a Swahili name, you know like at the Wild Animal Park 'Mumbasa Lagoon'. That just sounds cool, especially if you say it with an accent! We bandied about several names, including ones that described trees (can't remember them now), but still nothing fit just right. And then while reading Palms of Madagascar one night it just fell into my lap. I was reading up on Dypsis Decipiens and the different areas it grows and I just fell in love with the local and common name 'Manambe'. Sounds great I thought! And what better describes the little canyon/gully that runs through my property than 'Lavaka' the malagasy term for the huge erosion gullies that form. I already planned on making Dypsis decipiens a major part of the landscape but this solidified it. I was going to plant a whole forest of them and name the garden "Manambe Lavaka"!

[osideterry]

When I began my yard, most of my palms were from Australia, Lord Howe, and later New Zealand, Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. I was toying with the idea of calling my garden "Oceania" since that name defines that part of the world. That I also live in Oceanside is a tie in as well.

I kept osideterry as my name here when I came over from davesgarden, thinking it would be less confusing. I considered calling myself BangalowBill, as a play on the Beatles song, and because I've planted so many king palms. I rejected the idea (1) because my name isn't Bill, and (2) it sounds like a porn star or "Barnacle Bill."

Edited June 4, 2009 by osideterry

[MattyB]

Oceania is a great name Terry!

[DoomsDave]

When I began my yard, most of my palms were from Australia, Lord Howe, and later New Zealand, Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. I was toying with the idea of calling my garden "Oceania" since that name defines that part of the world. That I also live in Oceanside is a tie in as well.

I kept osideterry as my name here when I came over from davesgarden, thinking it would be less confusing. I considered calling myself BangalowBill, as a play on the Beatles song, and because I've planted so many king palms. I rejected the idea (1) because my name isn't Bill, and (2) it sounds like a porn star or "Barnacle Bill."

how about OsideOzzy . . . . ?

[paulgila]

i dont think a garden name is "official" until you have it immortalized in "plaque form," so get busy with the carving,mattyb.

[Kim]

So, Pohonky, what's going on your plaque?

[Kim]

Great story, Matt, that's cool the way the name kind of fell into your lap out of a palm book. Also very interesting to read the associative logic that gave Terry a name for his garden. (Oceania, very cool!) Being interested in languages, I found the Ho'owaiwai translation/explanation fascinating! The 'wealth of water' on the Big Island makes sense from both the historical perspective and also from the perspective of today's palm growers. California could use a lot more prosperity in the form of rain these days...

There must be more named gardens out there, or gardens begging to be named. Let's hear it.

[BS Man about Palms]

I was reading thru some old threads and Tim (Realarch) had a suggestion/sarcasm that I actually liked. Once "done" as it were. "Terra Firma Garden" for my place.

[paulgila]

So, Pohonky, what's going on your plaque?

good question,kim.

i cant think of anything off-hand that cannot be snarked by mattyb so i will remain silent,for now.

[paulgila]

the coolest garden names are just 1 word,like "tara" from "gone with the wind."

this is analagous to pop stars having 1 name,like "cher," or "madonna," or "bono."

you know i'm right! (i love that "grumpicon"!)

[MattyB]

Paul,

Your garden should be named NoBoo. Eh?

How about:

Jungle Tub

Hot Tub Havanah

Smalli Bali

Bangor in the Garden

Pohonkelapalma

Pohon

Cram it Indonesia

Rolandonesia

Campho-Phenique

[paulgila]

[paulgila]

how about "herpe grande"?

[Palmgrover]

Paul,

Your garden should be named NoBoo. Eh?

How about:

Jungle Tub

Hot Tub Havanah

Smalli Bali

Bangor in the Garden

Pohonkelapalma

Pohon

Cram it Indonesia

Rolandonesia

Campho-Phenique

[BS Man about Palms]

Paul,

Your garden should be named NoBoo. Eh?

How about:

Jungle Tub

Hot Tub Havanah

Smalli Bali

Bangor in the Garden

Pohonkelapalma

Pohon

Cram it Indonesia

Rolandonesia

Campho-Phenique

Rolandonesia

Bangor in the Garden

Cram it Indonesia

Particularly good...

[Kim]

I can't take you guys anywhere...

[John Case]

the coolest garden names are just 1 word,like "tara" from "gone with the wind."

this is analagous to pop stars having 1 name,like "cher," or "madonna," or "bono."

you know i'm right! (i love that "grumpicon"!)

Desolation?

[Moose]

Paul,

Your garden should be named NoBoo. Eh?

How about:

Jungle Tub

Hot Tub Havanah

Smalli Bali

Bangor in the Garden

Pohonkelapalma

Pohon

Cram it Indonesia

Rolandonesia

Campho-Phenique

Here are some sick suggestions:

Gandodermarania Gardens

Cadang-Cadang Canyon Garden

Phytophthora palmivora plantation garden

Nematode Neverland Jungle Garden

Fusarium oxysporum Reserve and Garden

Myndus Crudis Preserve Garden

Gliocladium vermoeseni Garden

Rolandonesia

Bangor in the Garden

Cram it Indonesia

Particularly good...

[John Case]

John, your photo montage suggests that Hana Keu might translate to 'serenity' from Hawaiian! Looking at your photos I would never guess it means 'more work'!

The photos are only a dream and the way it may look someday.... work without a goal is slavery....

[Walter John]

Here's some Indonesian garden names to consider

Senang Kebun (Happy Garden)

Sama-sama (You're welcome)

Dimana pantai (Where is the beach)

[Gonzer]

Did you know that 'Kemo Sabe' means "soggy shrub" in Navajo?...just to keep this plant-related.