For years now, I’ve tried to tame my backyard hillside, an open area edged by woods, leading to a nearby park.
Trees once grew here until we cut them down, fearing that someday, during a strong storm, the precariously leaning box elders would crash on to our garage and house.
Phlox
Now, I think, the earth is rebelling, revolting against this onslaught of humanity upon nature.
I tried to tame this land with plantings of hostas, purple coneflowers, black-eyed susans, daisies and whatever other plants I might pick up at a local greenhouse. And for awhile, my efforts worked.
But then, slowly, the wild orange daylilies began creeping back, subtly gaining ground.
Then the raspberry bushes bullied their way in, and I found I kind of liked them.
And, most recently, wild phlox marched onto the hill, setting up camp, marking the land with their, admittedly, beautiful purple flags.
I have surrendered to all but the invading buckthorn, the charging sumac and the warring weeds.
Let the lilies linger, the raspberries reign, the phlox pilfer.
This once wooded land was meant to be theirs, not mine.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
“Yes, let it go!” I am cheering as I read your words. Happy ending, I think. My wife and I are working to get chunks of our 5-acre piece of the farm I grew up on back into a kind of controlled wild where no mowing is necessary and we only have to kill a few thistle regualry to keep it “weed free.” We’ve come to like the look of the grass growing tall and seeding out and the wild daisies make great birdfeeders. Wild ferns and elderberries and grapes have started up in the grove of trees and bushes we planted as a windbreak 22 years ago. Nature needs time but she comes through.
I agree, Gordon. Let it go! I love the carefree look of flowers and plants mingling with each other, just like nature intended. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. Return often.
What a wonderful essay! Gordon has got it right. Let it go. And thank you for putting your beautiful thoughts online. I’m hooked.
Thanks, Beth, and right back at you. I’m hooked on your Minnesota Country Mouse blog too. Readers, be sure to visit Beth’s blog for some delightful writing and photos.