when old gardens meet new trends: whose roots run deeper?

Sometimes, as I walk through my backyard, I remember the scent of my grandmother’s peonies—how she’d hum while tending them, hands deep in the earth. Back then, gardens were wild, a little messy, and full of stories. Today, my daughter prefers raised beds and smart irrigation apps, her garden neat and efficient. She laughs at my stubborn love for native wildflowers, saying they look like weeds to her HOA. But when the summer heat hits hard, I see my old-fashioned perennials thrive while her imported roses wilt. We argue—she says I’m stuck in the past, I say she’s missing the soul of gardening. Our neighbors chime in, some siding with tradition, others with innovation. The community Facebook group is ablaze: should we let milkweed grow for monarchs, or keep lawns manicured for curb appeal? Here in the Midwest, the weather’s getting stranger—late frosts, sudden storms. I find comfort in the plants that have survived generations, but I can’t ignore the new techniques that promise resilience. Still, every time I smell those peonies, I wonder: are we losing something precious in our rush for progress? Or is it time to let go and adapt? #gardeningdebate #familytraditions #modernhorticulture #Gardening