How to Create a Special and Meaningful Garden
Follow these tips and suggestions for creating a special and meaningful garden that you will cherish.
There are many types of gardens in the world of horticulture: vegetable gardens, herb gardens, perennial gardens, gardens for children, gardens for seniors, and many more! However, what makes a garden meaningful to its gardener?
My Inspiration to Create a Meaningful Garden
When my father recently passed away, I was fortunate enough to join my siblings at the ICU in Florida to see him one last time. More importantly, our dad was aware and able to share poignant memories with all of us that afternoon. This bittersweet goodbye was a blessing that has helped me and my family through the grief.
It’s not surprising to me that after the long car ride back home, I quickly ended up outside in my garden and dove head first into the chores neglected in my absence.
After pulling weeds, ripping out dead flowers and angrily knocking Japanese beetles into a bucket of water, I sat down-head in my hands, hot and sweaty. The tears came and the new reality of life without my father settled in my chest. It was at this moment that I looked up and saw my blueberry bushes. They were ripe with berries.
Dad’s second favorite spot in his yard (the first was his pond where he fed the fish) was his blueberry patch. My face streaked with dirt and tears, I rushed over to the blueberries and grabbed a couple right off the bush. It was a small gift from heaven: a reminder that he’s gone, but our memories are not. I eventually walked back down to the house with purple stained fingers, blueberries stuffed in my pockets, and a grateful smile.
That’s when it hit me: it lifted my spirits to find meaningful connections in my garden. I grow so many plants that are for cooking, filling flower vases or providing privacy. I have a kitchen garden, a moon garden, a flower garden, and an orchard. They all have purpose, but where is the connection? What makes them special?
I’ve made our house a home by including more than just decor items. My mother’s watercolor paintings hang on the wall. The quilt crafted by my sister-in-law is at the foot of the bed. A dried flower from my wedding bouquet rests in a frame on the bookshelf. My daughter’s artwork is displayed. Our home is wrapped with memories and love. I want that in my garden, too.
Therefore on a flight to New York City last weekend, I brainstormed ways that we can make gardens special and meaningful. It just so happened that I was there for a wedding and found even more inspiration after the ceremony. Keep reading to see what that was!
Let’s dig into this topic of making a special and meaningful garden!
Grow a Loved One’s Favorite Plant
My first idea is based on my example of my father’s special blueberry bushes. This could also refer to specific flowers or a favorite tree planted in their honor.
My mother is the one who raised me to become more than a gardener. She showed me how to find solace and joy in the garden. Whenever I see gladiolus flowers blooming, I think of my mom! She always had them in her perennial beds when we were growing up and called them her “glads”. Graceful and elegant, they are exactly like my mother.
Plant Birth-Month Flowers
Celebrate new family members (and current ones!) with a flower bed filled with birth-month flowers.
I love this idea of adding meaningful birthday flowers to the garden.
Grow Fragrant Plants that Evoke Fond Memories
According to Community Neuroscience Services, the olfactory bulb has a direct passage to the brain’s emotion and memory center, unlike our other senses that go through the thalamus first. That means the power of scent can evoke strong feelings and vivid memories.
A few years ago my daughter and I took a trip to a lavender farm and had such an amazing time-oh the scent of lavender everywhere! Rows and rows of purple gloriously fragrant lavender! Now whenever I drag my fingers through my own lavender, I think of that trip and the sunny smile on Victoria’s face!
Include Plants that are in Family-Loved Recipes
Family meals and social gatherings can bring lots of laughter and memorable moments. Why not grow some of the ingredients in your garden to help make those favorite recipes.
For example, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made burrata with basil, olive oil and balsamic glaze, and then gathered around the kitchen island while my family devours it with crostini. When I’m growing basil in the kitchen garden, I know that’s the first recipe on my list, and I think of those happy evenings with my loved ones. (If you want the recipe, read Burrata and with Basil and Balsamic).
Look for Flowers that are a Significant Color
Sometimes focusing upon a color scheme can evoke feelings of pride or connection. Around here, there’s a whole lot of orange and purple for the Clemson fans! While my orange is more of a Virginia orange (Go, Hoos!), planting a garden with orange and blue colors would be a wonderful tribute to my college years.
Maybe a patriotic red, white and blue color scheme would be appropriate for a military member. That would be really amazing!
I could totally see this in container gardens or window boxes-perfect for seasonal changes.
My grandmother had blue hair; the color of periwinkle flowers-I think of her fondly when I see them blooming.
Add Heartfelt Structures and Decor Items
Why let the house keep all the art to herself? Let’s put some in the garden.
In addition to loving gardens, I am fascinated by birds. They kinda go hand in hand, right? It’s no wonder my family members tend to get me birdhouses for my birthday. I love them! As I walk through my garden I see the copper one from my mother-in-law, the bluebird house from my brother, the ceramic pottery one from Victoria and Jon, the moss covered one from Hannah, and the white ‘cottage style’ one from Bob.
You could also try adding benches, arbors or even pavers engraved with meaningful quotes or names in memoriam. I loved the handprint stepping stones the kids made when they were little for Mother’s Day!
Include Plants from Your Travels
Have you ever been on vacation and found yourself marveling at the landscape and different flora? Try bringing that back home with you to make a special and meaningful garden!
**Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that you try to smuggle foreign plants and seeds through immigration!
I am suggesting that you mimic what you love. When our youngest daughter, Olivia, was studying abroad in Amsterdam, we went to visit her. Of course I timed it with the tulip fields in spring because-what can I say, that’s been on this ginger’s bucket list for years! Keukenhof Garden is officially one of my all time favorite destinations, but sharing it with my girl was priceless.
I ordered so many bulbs that year for fall planting! I love seeing them and remembering that epic adventure through the Netherlands.
The anemones in Ireland were absolutely lovely, and yes-I’ve also been trying to get them going in my perennial bed ever since that trip.
Guess what? Traveling to gardens around the world is is a blog all in itself and Ginger with Roots is writing it! Check out www.beyondmygardengate.com where I detail my adventures to botanical gardens and share the inspiration you can bring home!
Plant Your Wedding Flowers
If you are married and remember what flowers were in your ceremony/bouquet, it would be nice touch to add them to your garden.
Whenever I see the Shasta daisies blooming, I think of our June wedding in the countryside of Virginia. My garden isn’t complete without them!
Grow Plants from a Loved One’s Cuttings and Seeds
What a wonderful way to share the love of gardening! Not only is this budget friendly (hello-they’re free!), but it’s also a fantastic way to continue the legacy of a loved one’s garden.
When my mother-in-law asked if I wanted any of her day lily divisions, I was ecstatic! She brought them to me from her home 6 hours away AND helped me plant them. They look lovely next to the copper birdhouse she gave me!
In a few weeks, I will be joining my family in Florida again for my father’s memorial service. My brother and I already have plans to sneak a few cuttings from Dad’s blueberry bushes and bring them home to our own gardens.
It’s what he would’ve wanted. Blueberries and smiles for years to come.
Make Your Garden Special and Meaningful
Now it’s your turn! I hope you are inspired and capable of bringing meaning to your garden and connecting it to yourself and loved ones that you hold dear to your heart.
Do you have an idea of your own? Share it with us!
Looking for more garden ideas? Read How to Create an Enchanting Moon Garden; it’s one of my favorite posts!
