What comes naturally

A cool misty morning, and a fine early run along the lochside, where the recently cut grass margin is already blossoming again with wild flowers, which leads to a relatively positive posting as a break from the endless litany of mayhem and corruption. 

The UK Native Seed Hub at Kew Gardens in London has just been established, with the admirable aim of providing seeds and advice to encourage the growth of diverse habitats full of native flowers (ref).

Since the 19^th century, gardeners in Europe have been avidly collecting non-native plant species, leading to a horticulture which has not only introduced plants which are difficult to grow and sometimes harmful to the balance of biodiversity, but has also led to a crucial devaluing of what grows naturally – a powerful metaphor for the way in which we are steadily screwing up the planet.

Of course, a whole industry has grown up to sell us the materials and equipment to grow these exotic species. Not content with that, garden centres, at least in the UK, have become bizarre “lifestyle emporia”, selling scented candles, rattan furniture, self-help books, birthday cards, over-priced snacks – anything in fact which will distract us from standing quietly and appreciating the beauty of what will grow without our interference – because obviously there’s no profit in that.