Esperanza is nothing if not complex, both inside and outside. The house’s architecture is baffling, the contents both diverse and vast, and the grounds quite full of plants and animals.
I was pondering this today, while contemplating the fact that I really ought to update the sadly out-of-date tree list I have. It currently stands at about 150 distinct tree and shrub species, not broken into specific cultivars, on 18 acres. It doesn’t include the pond or woods, mind you. This is a decidedly large number… Of course, what I really need to do is start taking notes everytime something gets planted. It is typical of my gardening, that on acquiring another azalea…I planted it, removed the tags, and now haven’t a clue as it what it is. Aside from a small-leaved, evergreen azalea, of course.
Next time maybe?
Acair Fearann 
I love complexity. Is 150 really a large number for your acreage? I have over 200 varieties on a small city lot and have had to make a list of everything on it since I began about 3 years ago to keep track. I recently made a set of botanical markers for each plant with the names and origins on each one. It makes it so easy to remember now. I hope you can figure out what all you have. I’d love to see your finished list and would simply die for 18 acres let me tell you! Good luck with your project and your blog.
all the best,
Steve
Steve,
Thanks for the comment. 150 isn’t that big a number. Except, varieties aren’t split out in many cases. So for example, there are at least six different types of little-leaved, evergreen azaleas on the property, I am just counting those as one. The different apples (four) are just listed under apple. (mostly due to the aforementioned labelling issue, with some planted decades ago, even if the plantee is still alive they don’t remember!) I want to start going back through and finessing it, plant markers are definitely one’s friend! Part of the discrepancy also comes from the fact that in same cases a species is represented by only one plant; in other cases it might be dozens or even hundreds. The property is split up: ten acres is hay-field, about 1.5 acres is managed old-field, five acres is the house lot (where most of the species are), and the rest is wood-lot/hedgerow. Consequently, there are a lot of sugar/red maples, black birch, black cherry, etc.
Acair,
You’re very kind to respond to my comment, especially since I thought I’d deleted it after reading more of your blog and realizing I was kind of out of my league with you. I’m just a simple guy with a simple garden and my ideas of complexity here surely don’t compare with what you deal with. I was just trying to find some common ground to begin making contacts and I guess that happened since you’ve given me an idea of what you’re dealing with and it does sound so similar in a way and yet so different. I can appreciate what you’re saying but the closest I can come to understanding the scale of your work is my own 40 acre homestead in the Okanogan Mountains of N.Central WA where I don’t grow a thing now but once tried to truly homestead within the natural complexity of the wild world. It was a supreme challenge. Thank you again for responding and next time I’ll leave my post….
No problem! It is a pretty daunting task, trying to learn a whole landscape. There is just so much to discover. I find that, even on small properties, that there is nearly always something that one has not noticed before; that one has seen, perhaps everyday, but that one has not Seen. I think that is the fun of gardening, it really takes the challenge to another level because even working with a single plant can have so many variables.
You’re so right. And it applies to our everyday lives even as much as to gardening if not more. How many friends do we really take the time to get to know in a deep way? It’s a focus that’s so important leading a good life. Really Seeing and really Listening are two of my goals in life and I try my best to accomplish them every day. It’s a good challenge and one that keeps me vibrant and alive as I’m sure it does for you as well. Another fine aspect of complexity. Thanks.