Create a sanctuary — anywhere
Grace Peterson
50plus Magazine
When I was a youngster, my grandparents lived in a modest home on the upper banks of the North Umpqua River in southern Oregon. I’m pretty sure this is where I developed my love of nature. My grandparents were avid gardeners of both edible and ornamental plants, and their grounds were a magical place of exploration — every child should be so lucky.
The older I get the more I find myself reverting to my child-self, finding
joy in nature’s wonders as I did so long ago. The unfurling of a fern’s furry frond in a sea of verdant mosses, sunlight streaming through chartreuse foliage on a towering tree, the tiniest flower bud forming on a vine I grew from seed. A non-gardener might not understand, but we who love nature and plants, we get it.
In a world rife with conflict and uncertainty our mental health can really take a beating. We all need a place to unwind and find our reason for being — preferably outside in pleasant weather. Fortunately, our designated place of respite needn’t demand all our financial or physical resources. It can be as simple as a chair under a tree, a patio with a birdbath, a gently swaying hammock.
Creating a garden sanctuary is made simple by applying the principles of indoor design outdoors. For example, a ceiling can be created by a tree canopy, a pergola, an umbrella or a shade sail. Walls can be the side of a building, a fence, trellis or large evergreen hedge. All will provide enclosure and privacy. These principles apply whether a space is expansive acreage or a tiny condo balcony.
After establishing the perimeters comes the fun part — making it personal with your own décor and embellishments. These can be both functional and whimsical, and their selection and placement as enjoyable as the final result.
Hunting for the perfect bright pillow for a comfy bench, a pretty mosaic birdbath, a hanging a solar lantern or sweet-sounding wind chime can be as much a pleasure as reveling in your completed project and enjoying your beautiful space for “me time” or with company.
In my opinion, plants near a seating area are what really make the magic. This is easily accomplished with container plants. Many trees and shrubs can be grown in large containers to compact their growth. Japanese maples are one of the most common container trees, but any young tree can be grown this way if properly maintained. The result: a bit of shade and intimacy.
Fragrant plants are also a must. A pot of fragrant flowers or herbs you can reach out and sniff provide sweet aromatherapy after a stressful day.
There are two critical rules for container plant success. First, a pot must have a drainage hole to allow the release of excess water so roots don’t rot. Second, using quality bagged potting soil is very important. Soil from the ground is dense and will not allow roots to expand and grow properly. Read labels carefully. Landscape soil is for raised beds, and while potting soil is usually a bit more expensive, it’s what container plants need to thrive.
Finally, if you’re on a budget, don’t get discouraged when seeking pots and plants. I’ve found beautiful pots at estate and garage sales. Also, local nurseries typically offer discounts on pots and plants in spring and fall. Finally, neighborhood platforms like The Buy Nothing Project (join through Facebook) and nextdoor.com are great sources of free and low-cost treasures.
Take your time, enjoy the process, and finally, enjoy the little slice of heaven you’ve created — with a very reasonable investment of effort and money!