A patio garden does not need to be big to be beautiful. Even patio gardens of 5’ x 10 ‘ or less can have a grand design. The secret is to design with a theme.
If you want a serenity garden with a spiritual retreat theme, here are a few suggestions for a winning design. The following steps outline the main elements of a serenity garden which offers flexible choices of plants and material.
1. Choose a spot to be your focal point and make it your area of retreat and reflection:
Place a small set of patio table and chairs there; a round table with two to four small chairs made of wrought iron material or all-weather wicker will provide rest, serve as an attractive reading and reflection area; a simple bench made of stone or wood can serve the same purpose if you have less space.
2. Near this seating area add a small fountain:
This fountain, which you can buy from a garden shop, can be functional or purely decorative in design. It needs to add to the sense of being quiet and joyful. Examples of a fountain design: a fountain stand with a leaping fish at the top, a small cascade with layered rocks, a simple bird bath, etc.
3. Choose a corner near this focal spot to cultivate your favorite plants:
If it’s a sunny location, plant a perennial variety of ornamental grass such as cloud nine prairie grass or fountain grass. If it’s a semi-shady location, plant a tall variety of hosta or an azalea bush. You can also grow winter bamboo in a large container at this corner.
4. Establish an inviting walk path from the doorway to your retreat corner:
This pathway doesn’t need to be very wide; it just needs to be safe. Use natural material such as bricks, larger pebbles, or random shaped stone slabs to pave the walkway. Make sure the ground is leveled and the surface is not slippery. This path can have a gently curved shape for a soft look as long as it’s comfortable to walk on.
5. Along the sides of this walk path you can play with many options:
Grow long-blooming flowers like marigolds, begonia, or lush evergreens and ferns. Grow edible plants such as chives, basil, rosemary, or other herbs. If you have room for a tree, plant a Chinese pine, a Japanese maple, or a magnolia bush. If you have a fence, you can grow climbing vines like morning glory or honeysuckle. A climbing cherry tomato plant can add delight to the eye as well as the guest table.
Now you have achieved a serenity look for your garden of spiritual retreat. It offers you options of a delightful ingredient in edible plants. It provides you with a restful atmosphere in a textured landscape design.
By C. Spring Stillman
