Entry 004 — I Only Went In for One Shrub

PALMREACH — FIELD NOTES, ENTRY 004

Whisker Cay needed some greenery.

A small island off Palmreach ought to have a bit of shade, a few interesting plants and somewhere pleasant to sit while pretending to study the horizon.

Nothing excessive.

Wrote “trees and shrubs” on a scrap of paper.

Should have included a quantity.

THE WHISKER CAY GARDEN CENTRE

Established a temporary garden centre on the beach.

By “garden centre,” I mean a collection of plants, a patch of sand and a handwritten sign. There is no café, which I consider a serious failing in the business plan.

I am currently the manager, the staff and the only customer.

Customer service has already received a complaint.

Apparently, the customer would like to know why everything requires digging.

Management is looking into it.

I ONLY CAME FOR ONE

Started with a shrub.

A modest shrub. Something to soften a bare patch without drawing too much attention to itself.

Found a suitable candidate, placed it down and stood back.

Looked rather lonely.

Selected another to keep it company.

Then something slightly different beside those, because three identical shrubs looked as though they were waiting for a bus.

This created a small group.

The small group needed a tree.

The tree needed something beneath it.

By late morning, my original shrub had become the least significant part of a sizeable landscaping commitment.

CHOOSING THE TREES

Spent a considerable amount of time comparing trees.

Height. Shape. Trunk. Leaves. Whether the branches suggested a peaceful tropical afternoon or an immediate threat to anyone walking underneath.

One looked excellent on its own but rather overbearing beside everything else.

Another had a lovely canopy, provided I was prepared to surrender most of the island to it.

I wanted somewhere sheltered and green, with enough variety to feel as though it had grown that way.

This involved repeatedly moving things that were supposed to look as though they had never been moved.

The customer remained difficult.

WOULD YOU LIKE HELP TO YOUR ISLAND?

Loaded the trolley.

Then loaded the space above the trolley.

A tall tree leaned out at an angle that made every turn a negotiation. Smaller plants disappeared beneath larger ones. Somewhere near the bottom was the shrub I had originally come for.

I could no longer see it, but felt certain it was enjoying the company.

Stopped beside the garden centre sign and considered whether I had purchased too much.

Decided to make two trips.

This felt like a practical solution and allowed me to avoid answering the question.

PLANTING WITH ENTHUSIASM

The first few trees made an immediate difference.

Shade fell across the ground. The skyline softened. Whisker Cay began to feel like somewhere I might actually want to linger.

Encouraged, I continued.

Added shrubs between the trunks.

Then a few more towards the edges.

Then something leafy in a gap that had committed the offence of being visible.

Eventually stepped back to admire the view.

There wasn’t one.

I had successfully landscaped myself into a corner.

A SMALL STOCK ADJUSTMENT

Walked through the planting to see how it felt.

Mostly felt like being politely assaulted by foliage.

Removed a few plants.

Light reached the ground again. Individual trees became easier to appreciate. There was room to walk without emerging with half a shrub attached to my trousers.

Removed another.

Could see the sea.

Given the effort involved in living on a small island, it seemed sensible to retain some evidence of it.

The spare plants have gone back to the garden centre.

I have instructed the staff not to sell them to me again.

EVENING REPORT

Whisker Cay is looking greener.

There are sheltered patches now, little clusters of planting and gaps that invite a wander rather than requiring a cutting tool.

Still plenty to adjust, but I am beginning to recognise the place I had in mind.

Sat down beneath one of the trees with a brew and watched the light move through the leaves.

Rather pleased with that.

Noticed a bare patch nearby.

Finished my tea facing the other direction.

Items on the original shopping list: two words.
Plants selected: a matter for the accounts department.
Customer complaints: ongoing.
Garden centre opening hours: temporarily suspended for the good of the island.

Tomorrow’s objective: leave the trolley where it is.

— TBB