Working more than eight hours a day, driving in rush-hour traffic, hustling to get the kids to Little League or after-school programs, running errands, cooking dinner — does it ever end? Even though we may be well organized and have our schedules down pat, sometimes the stress just catches up with us. We just want to go somewhere calming to relax. Where to go?
Your backyard garden would be a handy place — especially if it’s been created as a sanctuary to bring you some peace and quiet. It’s not difficult to create a meditative garden. Here are a few items to keep in mind:
Low-maintenance plants — If you have to work too hard in your garden, you’ve defeated the purpose of a relaxing space. Keep it simple.
A place to sit — You can meditate on a blanket on the grass if you want, but it’s also nice to have a bench or some other type of seat from which you can enjoy your garden. (A hammock would work as well, but you might be lulled to sleep and the stress of not waking up in time for some deadline or other might not be worth it.)
Colors — Reds, oranges and even some yellows can be over-stimulating in a garden retreat. Stick to blossoms with soft pastel or creamy palettes. Greens (hosta, assorted ferns) are soothing and blues (lavender, iris, violet) are calming, too.
Sight, sound, scent — It’s important to engage the senses. Choose plants that you enjoy looking at. Add a statue (maybe a Buddha) or a gazing ball. For sound, a wind chime would be a nice addition or include a birdhouse and you’ll enjoy the sweet chirping of your feathered friends. Even ornamental grasses swaying in the breeze will add a pleasant background sound. A water feature, preferably near the seating area, is practically a must. For fragrance, choose lavender, Cleveland sage, lemon verbena and/or jasmine.
Comfort — Don’t forget that you’ll need a shady area to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays and, if you live in a windy area such as the coast, provide yourself with a windscreen.
