Country diary: Why I let nature take its course in my ever-changing garden

Welburn, North Yorkshire: Different flowers and plants surge every year, but none reigns for long in this patchOur house is disappearing, as it does every year. After the flourish of spring flowers, there's a pause, then a surge, when drifts of green heap on green, like chlorophyllous snow. We start to duck and weave on the path to the front door; the postman has to shimmy around plants that are engulfing the steps.I garden by happenstance - plants arrive of their own accord and aside from some deadheading and trimming, I leave them to it. There's always been a froth of crosswort, pink campion, herb robert and ground ivy, and structure provided by knapweed, teasel and hawk's-beard. Other species take turns to star. The first year was a riot of buttercups and speedwells. Then came a year when bugle was everywhere, one when valerian went mad, and another when a constellation of fox-and-cubs blazed like tiny suns. For a couple of years there were masses of mullein, with its furry leaves and oddly cumbersome yellow spires, and recently sweet cicely has made a strong, fragrant showing. Continue reading...