Simply Lou: Felder

I was going to write a different column this month, but, I have been working my “behinny butt” off in my yard. I am determined that this is the year I finally get my back yard the way I have wanted it to look for the last few years. I’m hoping I don’t have to have a knee or hip replacement when I’m done. I’m doing good for a lady of “a certain age.” When I start feeling the old back hurting, I “turn” Merle on in my mind and hear “Workin’ Man’s Blues.”

“and I keep on working….long as my two hands are fit to use!”

I had a lot of catch-up maintenance to do since the past few years it’s gotten so hot so fast that I had to “take to the air conditioned house and watch Netflix!” So, I’ve bagged enough leaves and sticks that if I could sell them, I’d be financially set for life. I’ve planted a few new things, hostas and some calla lilies. I purposefully let a bunch of “who knows what kind” of trees grow up so that they make a really nice backdrop for everything else. In the back, I plan on making a little “secret garden.” My bird feeders are up and my birds have found it! Like I said, I do have a plan, and, hopefully the weather will cooperate with me.

If I could afford it, I know what my entire yard would look like. It would be a lot like the iconic Mississippi garden of Felder Rushing. His house has been in just about every magazine you can think of because it is as unique and as fun as he is!

If you don’t know who Felder Rushing is, let me tell you that the man is a rock star among us gardening types. I first heard of him when I lived in Vicksburg. He is a native Mississippian that is also one of the most acclaimed horticulturists there is, in the world folks! He’s written countless books; had countless articles written about him (The New York Times more than once!); and has a syndicated radio show on PBS called “The Gestalt Gardener.” I could go on and on but, just go by Felder’s website, www.felderrushing.org. Or just Google him, there’s so many good articles about him, I don’t know why I am even writing my “little” column about him, but, that’s how much I love this man and his work. And I did get to really meet him in person!

The first column I ever read by him, I was smitten. I knew I had discovered a kindred soul because there is nothing pretentious or stuffy about him. He would rather be called a gardener than a horticulturalist and often takes a humorous look at gardeners vs. horticulturalists. I really love that he says, “dirt” and not “soil.” Horticulturalists don’t like the word “dirt.” Horticulturalists are “left brained,” and “gardeners” are “right brained.” I know, I was married to one once.

I certainly have nothing against horticulturalists. I’ve met a lot of very nice ones. But, they do have their own way of doing things and “veering from the plan” or “being different” isn’t on their list. But, in the greater scheme of things, who really cares? Make your garden your garden and do what makes you happy!

A few years back when I was a member of the Monroe Garden Club, (I think I still am although I’ve been on a “leave of absence”) I saw that Felder himself was coming to give a talk! I don’t think I could have been more excited about him speaking IN PERSON than if I had a chance to meet Willie Nelson in person, on his bus, of course! I am not sure the ladies of the Garden Club knew exactly who was headed their way. I knew he had arrived because I spotted his “famous truck,” (more about that later). I got there early and got my seat on the second row. He was already setting up and I got my first real look at one of my heroes! He describes himself as “an old hippy” and well, yes, I could see that. His hair is long and he’s got a mustache but I knew this man was a “class act.” He was about to charm those ladies with his wisdom and better yet, his wit!

He and his sidekick, “Dr. Dirt” do something that I think is such a nice gesture. They take cuttings from the old running roses found in and around old cemeteries. Once they have rooted, they plant them between the headstones. Felder uses this as an example of “even dead people can grow roses!”

Felder’s a big proponent of making use of native plants. The ones that are tough as nails and can live forever. His own yard is full of them and although his yard may look chaotic to some, there’s a “method to his madness.” It’s a feast for the senses to enjoy. He says “there’s no turf grass-just plants, yard art and “people places.” Felder also says his yard drives his neighbors crazy but he doesn’t care. His house in Jackson, MS, is an icon for sure and it is in a pretty “well-to-do” neighborhood. He says he prefers to come home and relax, not mow! And he adds, he’s lazy!

Speaking of yard art, I’ve been collecting it for years. Felder loves his bottle trees and I think he may have four or five. I have one and it’s one of my favorite pieces. Felder calls it “poor man’s stained glass.” And, of course he has his flock of flamingos! He even got to meet the man who first made those flamingos, Don Featherstone himself! I’m happy to say my new flock has landed!

Back to meeting my hero. When his talk ended, I waited a bit for the other ladies to say their pleasantries and I was wondering what they were thinking in their minds about my hero and his talk and slide show. Then, I made my move.

“Mr. Rushing, I have to tell you I have been following you for years and I lived in Mississippi and I loved it and I think you are wonderful!” I think I was actually gushing! He smiled broadly. He was the most gracious, twinkly-eyed gentleman I think I’d ever met. We talked Mississippi of course and I offered to help him take his things out to his truck. Nobody else was really around! I got to have quality “Felder” time and a grand tour of “the truck!”

Now, about this truck. It’s not what you’d think one of the world’s most renowned horticulturalists would drive. You might think he’d have a chauffeur! You might even think he’d be driving some extremely expensive truck with all the bells and whistles. Not a chance!
His truck is as famous as his yard and house! It belonged to his father and it’s been through three motors! It’s green of course, “John Deere” green to be exact. In the back of the truck, he has plants growing! He told me he first started growing things in bags of potting soil so people could see you could grow just about anything, anywhere. But, he had some boxes made and the truck is now overflowing with flowers, plants, vegetables and of course, it has a bottle tree! He laughed when he said he could get up to 80 mph and everything stayed put!

As we said our goodbyes, I got a big Felder Rushing hug and a picture made with him. I still have it. Me and my hero. As he waved and drove away, I couldn’t help but think what the people on the streets of Monroe thought about seeing a wild, long haired “old hippy” with plants growing in the back of his truck flying down the road! I loved the thought of it and smiled broadly!

That day had to be one of the most unforgettable days of my life. Meeting Felder Rushing is like meeting someone you have known all your life. He is so approachable and so gracious. He talks about how his grandmothers influenced his love of gardening. I think they helped bring up one of those kind of southern gentlemen you just don’t meet much anymore.

There is a great video of one of Felder’s talks on YouTube. It’s called, “Gestalt Gardening with Felder Rushing: Lessons in Horticulture, Landscaping and Conservation.” I found it by chance and laughed out loud at least 10 times. He has a way with words that will get you inspired and feeling good! You will learn a lot in that hour as well! And, you might feel the need for a bottle tree and a flock of flamingos!