Gardening, like any art form, is the artist's interpretation of the world rather than a copy of it. Lawns are like meadowns, which are usually meandering when they are found where rhododendrons grow in the wild. The lawns in The Anderson Garden are narrow and curving, offering the visitor a more open route through the beds. Though we have a half mile of edging, no expanse of grass is more than 30 feet wide except a circle off the patio. Most of the lawn is six to ten feet wide. Grass is limited to about ten percent of garden space.

After the rhododendron blooms are finished is a good time to take a stroll on the grass paths to observe the new growth.

Lawns can be a good accent to rhododendron beds, but they can also be one of the most environmentally destructive components. We try to follow the guidelines below to ensure that they are encironmentally friendly.

* Keep lawns proportionally small, reduce lawn size

* Keep mower sharp

(This will allow you to cut our grass higher.)

* Keep lawn at least 3 inches long

(This will shade out weeds, keep roots cooler, and reduce the need for watering.)

* Leave clippings on lawn

(This will reduce your fertilizer needs and promote earthworm and microbe activity, which will decompose thatch naturally.)

* Use organic fertilizer

* Don't use weed killers

* Don't dethatch