| Visualize an almost-secret space in your garden, a | | | | bees which are efficient pollinators and wonderful to |
| secluded sanctuary, even spiritual, where you can sit, | | | | sit quietly and watch in your solitude. Sneak in your |
| stare, sleep, think, read, or sip tea. Everyone | | | | digital camera and capture them at work. If your |
| deserves such a secluded spot. And it must be a | | | | growing conditions are such, plant a pair of dwarf |
| separate place where you cannot see the garden | | | | citrus trees whose fragrant blooms will send your |
| chores staring at you, but one which gives you a | | | | senses soaring. |
| stunning view of your flowers, the ocean, a stream, | | | | As for additional plants, try a range of grays such as |
| or the woods. | | | | artemesia, licorice plant, fescue, blue oat grass or |
| Seriously consider a small place, surrounded by | | | | other ornamental grasses. Add some blues like |
| something substantial: a lattice-covered wall behind | | | | low-growing myrtle, veronica, forget-me-nots, and |
| you with climbing honeysuckle or jasmine or sweet | | | | the re-seeding annual love-in-a-mist. For white |
| peas to stir your olfactory senses. Or use the side of | | | | highlights, include Shasta daisies or alyssum. |
| your potting shed or barn or other outbuilding away | | | | Consider adding several shepherd hooks from which |
| from snoopy visitors or silly kids and then enclose | | | | to suspend candleholders or lanterns to spread a bit |
| with trellis or lean-to. You want to feel cosy, | | | | of diffused light when you wish to sit in the evening |
| enclosed, surrounded, safe. | | | | after the sun has set, the crickets have begun their |
| Add a simple bench with plumped up pillows, a soft | | | | song, and the fireflies are dotting the dark. The |
| throw for breezy days or chilly evenings; a little table | | | | sweet scents of the lavender, salvia, and jasmine |
| or chest for your tea or for storing your book or | | | | infuse the still air, stirring your soul to say thanks for |
| journal. On either side plant some shrubs with | | | | one more glorious day. |
| fragrant and soothing blue blooms, such as lavender, | | | | I have seen and dreamed and desired and designed |
| upright rosemary, or butterfly bush, to inspire | | | | such a space. I confess that I do not yet have one |
| serenity. | | | | completed; but I will, as soon as the vines grow up |
| Leading to your special space but partially hidden by | | | | over the heavy wire trellis. Beneath it is a |
| other blue, lavender, gray, and white flowers, | | | | pillow-covered antique bed-bench and a little table for |
| perhaps install a slate stepping stone pathway, | | | | my coffee mug. It is not too much to wish for. You |
| inter-planted with low-growing thymes or chamomile. | | | | deserve a special, secluded space for sitting and |
| On each side, place screening plants, such as | | | | staring and thinking and sipping coffee, a place for |
| butterfly bush, tall verbena, catmint, oregano, and | | | | inspired writing, inspired gardening. |
| lavender. They will attract beautiful butterflies and | | | | © 2010 Sandy P. |