Creating a tranquil haven in your garden using suggestions from seasoned landscaping professionals
In the pursuit of tranquility and relaxation, gardening has emerged as a potent remedy for stress relief. By designing a sanctuary that embraces greenery, soothing natural elements, and personal touches, one can cultivate a haven that boosts mental health and promotes a sense of calm.
Key elements in creating this peaceful retreat include:
Maximizing Greenery
Embrace a variety of shades of green foliage to establish a restful visual atmosphere. Green, scientifically proven to soothe and boost wellbeing, can form natural barriers via dense evergreen hedges or privacy screens, reducing noise and distractions from the outside world [4][5].
Incorporating Water Features
The gentle, calming sounds of fountains add an extra layer of tranquility, masking unwanted noise and deepening the sense of peace [2].
Selecting Aromatic Plants
Choose aromatic plants like lavender, chamomile, and mint to fill the air with pleasant natural scents, enhancing relaxation [2].
Creating Comfortable Seating Areas
Position seating areas to encourage mindful sitting and contemplation, allowing you to enjoy views and early sunlight [2][3].
Utilizing Natural Materials
Use natural materials such as stone pathways, wood furniture, or pergolas to add texture and architectural interest while harmoniously blending into the environment [3][5].
Adding Personal Elements
Incorporate personal elements like soft ambient lighting (e.g., fairy lights) or garden art to make the space inviting and help ease mental stress [2][5].
Minimizing Noise
If you live in a noisy environment, strategies like acoustic fence panels or natural sound barriers (hedges, bamboo screens) can help minimize noise [4][5].
Vertical Gardening for Small Spaces
For small or limited outdoor spaces, consider vertical gardening, space-saving planters, and layering plants to maximize greenery and create the feeling of a lush retreat [1].
The Joy of Experimentation
Gardens are ever-evolving, and Holly Johnston, the designer of the Bridgton Garden, a Sanctuary Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2024, encourages experimentation and joy in gardening [6].
The Benefits of Gardening
The physical exercise involved in gardening releases endorphins, which have a positive impact on mental wellbeing [7]. Psychologists talk about a state called flow, where gardeners switch off and forget their stresses for a few hours [8]. Simple moments like daily watering, pulling weeds, or sowing seeds can be a nice way to intentionally unwind in a garden [8].
By thoughtfully combining these elements, you create a private, sensory-rich sanctuary that invites relaxation, mental clarity, and connection with nature – all of which are proven to improve mood and reduce stress.
References:
[1] Growing scented plants like Philadelphus, roses, lavender, thyme, Daphne, star jasmine, and sweet box can lift spirits and boost relaxation. [2] Making a mindful space in outdoor spaces is best achieved with a less is more approach to hard landscaping. [3] Holly Johnston recommends creating intimate spaces in which to sit for a sense of security and peace. [4] Deciduous hedges like hornbeam or beech and evergreen yew are recommended for seasonal interest or year-round formality. [5] Layering planting in front with a mix of shrubs, perennials, and grasses softens the look and creates a cohesive scheme. [6] Gardens should ultimately be places for experimentation and joy, according to Holly Johnston. [7] The physical exercise involved in gardening releases endorphins, which have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. [8] Psychologists talk about a state called flow, where gardeners switch off and forget their stresses for a few hours.
In the quest for a serene and relaxing environment, gardening, landscaping, and garden design have significant roles to play. By maximizing greenery, incorporating water features, selecting aromatic plants, creating comfortable seating areas, utilizing natural materials, adding personal elements, and minimizing noise, one can develop a sanctuary that supports mental health and promotes peace. For small spaces, vertical gardening can be an effective solution. Furthermore, the joy of experimentation in gardening, as advocated by Holly Johnston, adds a personal touch and enhances the overall experience. The benefits of gardening extend to physical exercise, which releases endorphins for improved mental wellbeing, and the achievement of a state called 'flow', where stress is temporarily forgotten. Nature, flowers, and green spaces are thus integral components of a sustainable living lifestyle, transforming homes and gardens into tranquil retreats. [References]
