Gardening offers a visual experience that can open
the portals to the emotions, to the psyche and
to the senses. It’s also inspirational.

A garden is more than an array of colors and
scents. Given a chance, a garden offers relaxation,
a place to contemplate and a place to heal.

It is a bridge between our inner world and
the outside world. The sight of a garden on
the way out, provides a smooth transition
as you greet the outside world.

Coming home after a day’s work, a garden gives a
calming effect, reminding you to leave the cares
and woes of the day outside as you enter your
inner sanctum.

Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of a rambling
country garden. A container garden off the balcony,
on the window sill, a small porch or backyard
can be just as enjoyable.

What do you imagine your garden should look?

Color
The choice of colors announces the mood of your
environment. It reflects the inner person, whether
you are vibrant and inspired, traditional and laid
back, focused or scatter- brained, quiet, spiritual,
calm, passionate or even boring.

Colors can be complementary and in harmony,
contrasting or conflicting. Choosing the colors in
your garden can at times be a hit-or-miss choice.
Don’t be discouraged. Plants are forgiving. You can
re-arrange the colors to create harmony, provide
enough contrast, and when there is conflict, remedy
by adding or removing a color.

Solid colors give out a dramatic show in a bigger
garden. Most hobby/ornamental gardeners opt for
a variety of colors.

A dominance of red does not invite one to sit and
relax. This color is too strong. A complementary
color can soften the fire of a mass of red.
White or silver blends well with this vibrant color.

An all white garden is boring, the energy is stale.
Some may feel it is calming, clean and fresh.
At night, under a luminous light, white can be
attractive. It stands out over all colors under
soft lights. It lends itself to a meditative mood.

To brighten it up, add different shades of green
or other bright colors. White and silver plants can
provide a beautiful contrast mixed with any color.

Yellow is a cheerful color, mostly associated with
Spring and late Summer. A pale yellow color does
not blend well with white. This combination
stifles the energy with its dullness.

Various shapes and foliage of green gives a
garden a feeling of tranquility. Adding pots of
colored plants can enhance the beauty of the
atmosphere. This is a nourishing color.

For that warm and welcoming feeling, orange
is the color. It is a rich and happy color.
Added to a background of green, orange gives
a warm glow .

Purple is an inviting color. It teases you to
rest and relax. To project a feeling of calmness,
mix purple with whites, pinks or blues.

Need a moment of tranquility, of peace and quiet?
Blue offers a sedative effect when mixed with
whites and silver or soft pink flowers. Planted
around edges and borders, mixed with different
colors, it can be most appealing. However, blue
by itself gives a gloomy feeling.

To invite love and other romantic notions, go
for pink Its warmth draws people to it.

Time

Consider carefully how much time you are willing
to devote to your garden and time you have to
enjoy it. Gardens need more than good soil and
water. Weeds in the garden do not encourage
growth. This also translates to stagnant energy
in the garden.

A garden overgrown with weeds and with plants
that go wild stifle the potential for an appealing
garden. Add to this dead flowers, dead leaves
and other debris that accumulate throughout
the season.

Energy is blocked by clutter. This defeats the
purpose of a garden. You want positive energy
to flow into your life, into your home. Taking
the time to look after your garden will definitely
enhance the flow of positive energy all around.

Take time to enjoy the scenery. Plants offer a
form of stress release. Go ahead and talk to your
plants. Place your hands, palms down, over a pot
of flowers, let go of your frustration, take
a few deep breathes as you pass your hands over
the flowers. Don’t forget to thank the plant!

Weeding and dead-heading plants provide
a form of exercise, it is grounding too.

Summer is too short- the garden offers a respite
from the hurry and scurry of life. It connects us
to the beauty of this earth and beyond.

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate
her readers to explore the depths of their heart and
soul. She draws from personal experience and her interest in the New Age
Visit her website =>http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com