You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Much has been written about style including fashion style, communication style, writing style, and even romance style. One may take a quiz in any number of popular periodicals to determine if a person’s fashion style is dramatic, classic, romantic, or just plain “ick.” Of course there are styles of gardens including formal or cottage, but what of gardeners themselves? What style of gardener are you? Not to be outdone by scholarly scientific researchers, we suggest the following quiz will be helpful. Following the quiz is a brief description of each style of gardener.
1.You are given a fan of an expensive daylily by an acquaintance.In no time, the plant is dead.The acquaintance asks you later how the daylily performed.You:
_____A.Tell him that it immediately croaked, and
change the subject to a more relevant topic.
_____B.Invite him over to see how well it’s doing, then
get on the computer and spend $80 to have a
replacement overnighted to you.
_____C.Explain to him in botanical and scientific terms
how its failure to survive relates to the
microclimate you planted it in.
_____D.Don’t answer directly.You are secretly relieved
because youdidn’t have the perfect spot for it
anyway.
2.You decide one Saturday morning that the southeast corner of your yard needs a shrub.You:
_____A.Purchase a pretty shrub, plant it, water it, and go inside for breakfast.
_____B.Ask the neighbors to the south what their future yard plans are to see
if what you’re planning will inhibit them.The neighbors to the east are
on vacation, so you put off the project until you can ask them.
_____C.Call the utility companies to ask for someone to mark the buried cables.
_____D.Conduct online research of evergreen shrubs that don’t get over 6 feet
tall and produce white flowers in late spring.
3.A nurseryman suggests a Japanese maple might be perfect for your needs.You:
_____A.Buy it, no questions asked.
_____B.Call your friends to see if they’ve ever heard of a Japanese maple.
_____C.Spend two years determining how the shade it produces will affect
surrounding plantings while the maple withers in the garage.
_____D.Write down the genus, species, and cultivar name in order to research
height, spacing, and light requirements.Take home the nursery tag to
compare color to existing plants.
4.Which best describes your vegetable garden?
_____A.I have an acre vegetable patch with some of everything.
_____B.I plant tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes in the far corner of the yard.
Doesn’t everyone?
_____C.I have the straw bales to start a straw bale garden.
_____D.I didn’t get one in this year, but I bought the most reputable seeds.
5.Which photo inspires you?
_____A.Tools to get dirty
_____B.Group of gardening friends
_____C.Blank slate
_____D.Design and dream materials
If you answered mostly A’s, we regret to inform you that you are a Vigorous Gardener.Vigorous Gardeners are recognizable by their tendency to roll their eyes if someone starts talking about planning a new bed.They make quick decisions and carry them out immediately.The neighborhood hodge-podge gardens are theirs.Most of their plants are inexpensive annuals, because they have to buy so many.Vigorous gardeners only shop at the local nursery, because they can’t wait for something to come in the mail.A Vigorous Gardener is the first to get her vegetable garden started, but she frequently loses tomatoes to a spring freeze.Vigorous Gardeners prune their shrubs to death.Happily, a Vigorous Gardener always has the energy to replant, an excellent trait because she usually has to.
If you answered mostly B’s, it’s too bad, but your gardening style is Amicable.Amicable style gardeners never have an original idea.They are so in tune to the emotions and feelings of others, they would never risk planting something someone else might find objectionable.A hibiscus is too racy.Most of her plants are orange ditchlilies, because she wouldn’t dare offend a friend by not planting a gift.A compost pile?Not on your life!One Montana Amicable Gardener only planted what her mother-in-law planted.Too bad the mother-in-law lived in Florida.On the bright side, the Amicable Gardener is quick to share her extra divisions, because one can never have too many orange ditchlilies.
If you answered mostly C’s, unfortunately you are an Idealist Gardener.Idealists never get anything done.They find solutions to problems that don’t exist yet, but in the meantime the most basic tasks remain unfinished.Often referred to as a “big picture” person, the gardener with the Idealist style has more trees, all young saplings, than any other plant.He plans his shade garden confident he will have shade in 20 years.The Idealist Gardener has been known to guard his own weeds because one day they may be an alternative to fossil fuels.On a more favorable note, the Idealist Gardener is creative, and will look for artful possibilities in every insect.
If you answered mostly D’s, you are regrettably an Academic Gardener.Academic Gardeners never stoop to use common names.Each garden bed is planned right down to the grid paper, cut-outs, and photos.One gift plant will throw off the entire scheme, so the Academic has been known to let a gift plant die while planning an entirely new bed around it.Most of the plants in her garden are $200 roses that look and behave exactly like the $12.99 roses from the Big Box store, but there is a difference in the spelling of the cultivar name.She can tell you the names of the different species of iris, but doesn’t remember what an iris looks like.On the bright side, the Academic Gardener has excellent computer skills whereby she may show off her perfectly manicured nails.
A tie?Sorry, you have no style.Thanks for taking the quiz anyway!
About Lori Geistlinger
Lori and her husband, Handsome Man, garden in the heart of Tornado Alley in the Midwest. She likes perennials, because if they don't come back, chances are she forgot she planted them and doesn't realize she killed them. Don't take her too seriously.
Posted by Raisa (from Germantown, TN) on May 23, 2008 at 04:24 PM:
..yes.. there is a 'style' for a tie. I had one and it's pretty accurate. I am a cross between a vigorous gardener and an academic one. ( I wouldn't pay $200 for a rose ..but I'd definitely use the Net to help me out ..and will order from online (if all else fails) in a New York minute.) ..A VigorousGardeningNerd?? ;)
This message was edited Jun 1, 2009 4:42 PM
...
Subject: Not too seriously
Posted by HappyGardenerWI (from Eau Claire, WI) on February 04, 2008 at 03:02 PM:
Not taking your article too seriously, Lori, but it made me laugh at myself and your descriptions of the extremes. Thanks for the humor!
Cheers Annie
...
Subject: Hoping for some answers
Posted by trytobegardener (from Blue Springs, MS) on November 06, 2007 at 07:55 PM:
I took the quiz hoping to discover something of my style but since I am really just getting started trying to discover my style, I guess my answers must be ok. I wound up with one letter each in my answer list so I suppose I'm still just trying.
...
Subject: Hysterical
Posted by Seandor (from Springfield, MA) on October 17, 2007 at 06:34 PM:
Guilty as charged - I am definitely an Academic Gardener - but with a twist - I don't have enough money to buy a $200 anything! So I study how I can root my own! lol
...
Subject: Very Fun, Laugh out loud!
Posted by Lianed (from Brookfield, IL) on September 19, 2007 at 01:07 PM:
Let's face it. If we read magazines we take quizes all the time and I almost did not read this because I already knew I'd be a country gardener with a formal tendancy but a yearning to more contemporary (I did say I've taken allot of these quizes...). Well, this article fun, refreshing and made me laugh out loud.
Thanks Lori!
Liane
PS..surprise, surprise I had alot of A's and D's
...
Subject: Very enjoyable!!
Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on August 09, 2007 at 11:59 AM:
I loved it!! What a fun little article....I even caught the dry humor....even giggled a few times. Articles don't have to be always serious!!
...
Posted by Marylyn_TX (from Houston, TX) on August 09, 2007 at 12:09 PM:
I enjoyed it a lot, too! Thanks, Lori!
...
Posted by bigcityal (from Menasha, WI) on August 09, 2007 at 12:43 PM:
It was entertaining. I've taken others like that before and whatever I am labelled it won't change my ways.
...
Posted by paulgrow (from Allen Park, MI) on August 09, 2007 at 12:58 PM:
Good Job, I thoght the questions were a great idea.
I could see myself and two of my neighbours in this quiz, what a hoot!
...
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on August 09, 2007 at 01:52 PM:
What a fun article! I giggled my way through all the questions and descriptions of gardening styles. I guess my style is a bit of everything, but I did answer "D" twice... however, I'd like to note that you wouldn't believe just how *im*perfectly manicured my nails are! I don't think my hands are ever entirely clean in spring & summer.... LOL!
...
Posted by Hyblaean (from Niles, IL) on August 09, 2007 at 02:25 PM:
I liked it too- very funny!! More articles like this to break up the learning process with some fun.
...
Posted by gardenglory (from Gainesville, FL) on August 09, 2007 at 02:39 PM:
Liked it,...giggled myself. I guess im not the only one that does some of those things. I tied
...
Posted by Kathleen (from Panama, NY) on August 09, 2007 at 03:05 PM:
this was a hoot! Being an A type gardener in a totally non Type personality (I tend to test strangely, I've had professionals throw up their hands and walk away!), I've finally discovered what's missing - it's all those annuals I'm supposed to be buying!
...
Posted by peony01 (from Prattville, AL) on August 09, 2007 at 03:24 PM:
Great fun! I do have more trees than annuals - but it's neck and neck between trees and woody shrubs...
...
Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on August 09, 2007 at 03:45 PM:
Thanks a lot, everyone. My husband made fun of me while I was writing it and said I was some of each. The secret is: He's right. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
...
Posted by Mahnot (from DFW area, TX) on August 09, 2007 at 04:09 PM:
Heck, I printed up 3 copies - gonna mail them to my friends.
They'll get a real charge out of this, as I did. Now, I'm not
saying how many "Ds" I got, not even for ready money would
I ever tell :o) - I'll just say that no self-respecting gardening
club would admit me as a member. Thanks a bunch.
Loved it.
...
Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on August 09, 2007 at 06:55 PM:
Critterologist, I, too answered "D" twice! This is making me laugh and I had a very rough day so Much Appreciated! ( My nails hardly exist and I'm lousy on the computer.)
...
Posted by Joan (from Belfield, ND) on August 09, 2007 at 07:10 PM:
I really liked it also. When all was said and done, I ended up with 2 A's and 3 D's. Kinda reminded me of my grade school report cards. :)
...
Posted by palmbob (from Tarzana, CA) on August 09, 2007 at 07:51 PM:
Hmmm... for most I answered 'e' (none of the above)... not sure how to categorize that...
1. E. what on earth would I ever want with a Daylily??? so i tossed it in the trash immediately, since it wasn't a palm.
2. E. A shrub? Why would I ever plant a shrub when I could plant a palm? So I planted a palm
3. E. I have too many Japenese Maples already, so I went out and bought another palm
4. E. Veggie garden??? You have got to be joking!
5. E. Photo C came close, but a blank slate in Hawaii- now THAT would excite me... more room for palms!!
So For those of us (and I am sure there are many, right??) who answered E. for all the questions, you get labeled as a great obsessive, cumpulsive palm gardner.. .what other kinds of gardners are there??
This message was edited Aug 9, 2007 11:00 PM
...
Posted by scooterbug (from TwinLakes,WI Athens, TN) on August 09, 2007 at 09:23 PM:
Love it , especially the thing about perennials dieing and you didn't know you killed it or feel bad because ya forgot about it ... or something like that.
Thanks for the grins,
S
...
Posted by ecrane3 (from Dublin, CA) on August 09, 2007 at 11:14 PM:
I thought it was hilarious! I'm somewhere between an academic gardener and an idealistic gardener (although I do get a lot more things done than the idealistic gardener!) The only question I didn't know how to answer was the vegetable garden one, I don't grow veggies and don't have any interest in growing veggies, and that wasn't one of the choices!
Me neither. I mean, really, EAT my garden? After all the work I put in??
...
Posted by Mahnot (from DFW area, TX) on August 10, 2007 at 01:23 AM:
LOL, 2zeus ! I know exactly what you mean.
Between the rains drowning everything and turning it black
and the sun scorching to death the poor struggling plants,
the ONLY thing that actually thrived and gave me over
one dozen fruits was the lone butternut squash vine that grew
on a 2 foot mound. Well, I was so proud of the squash -
I would gladly have waxed and polished them and arranged
them in an artful display if they had promised not to rot and
stink up the house. While they were each and every single
one delicious, it hurt my heart to have to cook them up -
my only gardening accomplishment of this entire summer :o(
...
Posted by hydrangea80 (from Council Bluffs, IA) on August 11, 2007 at 01:44 PM:
I loved, loved this article! I was laughing the whole time, and feeling a little guilty about my lack of any planning skills!!!
Lori, you are a wonderful writer and I can't wait to read your next article!!!!
...
Posted by Wakman (from Crown Point, IN) on August 13, 2007 at 03:13 PM:
On a 5 star scale - It didn't get above the clouds...
...
Posted by DebinSC (from Summerville, SC) on August 13, 2007 at 07:40 PM:
Very enjoyable. Thanks for the grins.
...
Posted by Candyce (from The Monadnock Region, NH) on August 15, 2007 at 10:55 AM:
Wonderful, funny article. I loved every word!!
The 'quiz' was a great touch, too. I scored all around the chart, so I guess I am a bit of each of those gardener types, all rolled into one!!
Thanks for the chuckle on such a wonderful subject.
...
Subject: I thought this article was very negative
Posted by JanetS (from Braselton, GA) on August 09, 2007 at 10:38 AM:
Every description starts with a very negative phrase..I expected it to be fun and informative...but was very disappointed. Personally, I find every gardener to be interesting and have wonderful ideas, so I don't understand any of these descriptions!
...
Posted by fdetroch (from Merelbeke, Belgium) on August 09, 2007 at 11:25 AM:
I completely agree with JanetS.
According to these descriptions one could wonder if there are any positively "styled" gardeners!
Also very disappointed about this kind of article.
...
Posted by bolino (from Toledo, OH) on August 09, 2007 at 11:56 AM:
I think it was meant to be tongue in cheek. If you noticed, all the types of gardeners are bad!
...
Posted by JanetS (from Braselton, GA) on August 09, 2007 at 11:57 AM:
hmm...I still don't think I care for it...lol but to each his own...
...
Posted by paulgrow (from Allen Park, MI) on August 09, 2007 at 01:01 PM:
Fun article.
Graet sense of humor.
Good Job
Paul
...
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on August 09, 2007 at 01:04 PM:
My hubby and I read this over lunch - thanks for the fun :)
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 09, 2007 at 01:06 PM:
I loved it here, a wonderful article and full of fun. I found myself in each of the types of gardeners and my family got a kick out of saying "oh yea you do that" just great love it - very funny.
...
Posted by JanetS (from Braselton, GA) on August 09, 2007 at 01:07 PM:
Glad it didn't turn everyone off like it did me...lol I guess I was just "expecting" something totally different, and since it was so different, I didn't get the humor at all.
...
Posted by wolflrv (from Savannah, TN) on August 09, 2007 at 02:00 PM:
yeah...I didn't care for it either...but as a fairly new gardener...I certainly got some good hints as to what kind of gardener NOT to be...LOL!
...
Posted by peony01 (from Prattville, AL) on August 09, 2007 at 03:21 PM:
Maybe not everything is so serious on this site. Isn't that neat? The survey choices made me laugh. I needed that - my dentist referred me to an endodontist who this morning referred me to a peridontist! I need more humor in my life! LOL
Have a great day.
...
Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on August 09, 2007 at 03:39 PM:
Thanks everyone! I'm certain my article was a little startling after the informative, helpful articles we've been getting from our more knowledgable writers.
Everyone's input is appreciated and helpful. And I appreciate the fact that DG is the type of site where we don't have to be disagreeable to disagree. You all stated your thoughts and opinions honestly and respectfully. Thanks again! :-)
...
Posted by Mahnot (from DFW area, TX) on August 09, 2007 at 03:49 PM:
Loved it ! You're very clever. Thanks a bunch.
...
Posted by vossner (from Richmond, TX) on August 09, 2007 at 04:11 PM:
I took it as a humorous piece, creative and fresh. However, i wish somebody, somewhere had a scientific analysis about this topic. As a gardener, I know what I like, but I don't know why. The answer might help me in future landscape design, etc.
Then again, must I think and overthink everything? Probably not.
...
Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on August 09, 2007 at 04:50 PM:
I love it! What fun. I'm sure we can all see ourselves somewhere in this quiz! I know I can.
girlgroupgirl
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on August 09, 2007 at 05:15 PM:
I love creative writing, and this was a fun piece!
...
Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein, Marshall Islands) on August 09, 2007 at 05:24 PM:
I'm doomed! There was a good part of me in every description....does that mean I'm a schizophrenic gardener with multiple styles?? No wonder my garden is constantly being re-worked. You saved me millions of $$ in therapy! Thank you!
Great fun....
...
Posted by 1cros3nails4gvn (from Bluffton, SC) on August 09, 2007 at 05:29 PM:
the quiz added a splash of color where another informative would be monotonous.being a minor, it shows me that *some* adults are fun, and stilll in touch w/ the child in them, and not the boring cut-to-the-chase business only blah blah boring adult that fits modern stereotype. i think McGlory sounds like a fun person who still has some spunky teenage humor.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on August 09, 2007 at 05:29 PM:
I thought McGlory's description of herself was the best part... because it sounds rather like me!
xxx, Carrie
...
Posted by DianeinFL (from Wimauma, FL) on August 09, 2007 at 06:57 PM:
Thanks for this article - I found it endearing rather than demeaning. I am an "academic gardener with vigorous undertones"... and it's true - my friends get annoyed with me for using Latin names (they make so much more sense!) but I do get my yard done. Even though it was meant to be a little bit of comedy there are some truths in it for sure.
The question with the photos was the funniest... seed catalogs always have (and I hope always will) send my garden spirit soaring.
Diane
...
Posted by JanetS (from Braselton, GA) on August 09, 2007 at 07:02 PM:
I just wanted to publicly add, I am thrilled I didn't hurt your feelings with my remarks. I just didn't "get it" and possibly should have just left and said nothing at all...so thank you for understanding, that sometimes we all say things before we realize "what is really intended" and I hope you will write more for us to read and enjoy.
Janet
...
Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on August 09, 2007 at 07:09 PM:
I about snorted my coffee out my nose this morning....(I've been on a dead run all day and haven't had time to comment till now.)
Yup, I'm 'all of the above'....and I thought it was a refreshing diversion from some of our more serious writings!
You go girl! It was good!
...
Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on August 09, 2007 at 08:59 PM:
You know the kind of stuff that really hurts my feelings? When I slave away in my gardens, someone comes to visit, points to the one lone weed I missed and says, "Oh, what's that one?" LOL!
You all are just great, and I thank you. And thank you, JanetS, and I will reiterate that it's helpful for future writing to know what people's immediate reactions are.
By the way, stay tuned for tomorrow's article. I happen to know there's a treat in store....
...
Posted by scooterbug (from TwinLakes,WI Athens, TN) on August 09, 2007 at 09:19 PM:
heeeeeee, What a hoot !
(((♥)))
...
Posted by dave (from Jacksonville, TX) on August 10, 2007 at 12:08 AM:
Well done. :)
...
Posted by bivbiv (from Central FL, FL) on August 10, 2007 at 01:05 AM:
Hah...Very witty. Loved it.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on August 10, 2007 at 04:58 PM:
LOL LOL Melody snorting her coffee!!!!! LOL LOL LOL
x, C
...
Posted by hydrangea80 (from Council Bluffs, IA) on August 11, 2007 at 01:48 PM:
Again, just have to say how much I loved it and how much I enjoyed laughing!
...
Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on August 13, 2007 at 01:00 PM:
Clever, but the results don't "compute." lol
I had all D's except for the final one A, and the description doesn't come anywhere near my style! Apparently, I don't have one. :-) And I sure don't have a perfect manicure!
However, I enjoyed it and I think that was the point. Well done.
...
Posted by guardians (from Thomson, GA) on August 13, 2007 at 08:05 PM:
Well, I guess I am a little bit of all of these types, and not completely like any! I thought it was cute, allowing us to see our own unique idiosyncrasies and laugh at ourselves a little. However, I believe you left out the gardener I find I am, the "coveter" - I think I have to have one of everything, and then drive myself crazy finding the space and time to plant it all.
