Part 2

Our garden is not perfectly manicured, tidy, magazine worthy. It is, like life, bits of beauty vignettes, verdant, full of textures and color, and lots of messy works in progress. And yet, people passing by often comment on how much they enjoy it. One woman said, “I love your garden. It’s so whimsical.” Part of our pleasure and commitment to creating this garden is not just for us, but to spark feelings of pleasure in passers by, to breath beauty into our little community.

There are endless books and online information about basic garden design, the right plant for the right place, low maintenance versus high maintenance, xeriscaping, native plantings, and all those important details. Importantly, a soulful garden doesn’t use harmful chemicals for maintenance, and doesn’t need to because it’s a balanced ecosystem. What I share with you is ways to think about planning, dreaming, imagining a garden that will enchant you, feel like sanctuary, feed your soul body. In the planning, the elements that speak to you and light you up, that nurture your ecosystem, are the magic making elements for your garden of enchantment. And know, an enchanting garden can be created and sized for a balcony, or a window shelf as well as a yard. I look for ways to incorporate these elements as my garden evolves…because a garden is ever evolving and never done, as are we.

I’ve made a list of elements that my own soul body relishes. Feel how you respond to these ideas. Which ones light you up? What else inspires you? It’s not too early to start dreaming for next spring.

Scenes you will enjoy seeing from your window

Native plants that nurture birds and pollinators ( I never have big insect problems because we have so many birds flitting about…slugs on the other hand…)

Plants with fragrance, texture, movement so all the senses are engaged

Water, bird baths, stone caches

Vignettes

Dappled shade

Night lanterns sprinkled along pathways

Winding pathways to a sitting place or something special

Choosing a variety of plants that will shine at various times in the season

Herbs, herbs, herbs

Succulents!

Art elements

Interesting pots and planters

Enchanted Gardening, Part 2