As winter tightens its grip and daylight fades early, many of us are dreaming of a peaceful outdoor retreat. Creating a simple garden sanctuary can provide a vital source of comfort and relaxation throughout the year, according to gardening expert Jessica Damiano.
The Power of a Simple Setup
In her own garden, Damiano has crafted a humble yet effective haven. The heart of the space is a stacked stone hearth, encircled by eight vibrant Adirondack chairs. During the growing season, this area is framed by undemanding plants like button bush, hydrangeas, hosta, clumping Liriope, and coleus.
The key to its success is its simplicity. The goal is not botanical perfection, but the feeling it fosters: unfussy comfort, serenity, and a chance to unwind. Research supports this, indicating that time spent in a garden lowers stress, regardless of how elaborate the planting scheme is. Our nervous systems do not require a showplace to find calm.
Crafting Your Sensory Retreat
Now is an ideal time to plan for next year's sanctuary. You can engage multiple senses to deepen the relaxing experience. Large, native grasses introduce a calming motion as they sway in the breeze. For fragrance, consider lilacs, old garden roses, jasmine, or sweet peas.
Sound plays a crucial role in creating a meditative atmosphere. The gentle chime of a windchime or the steady trickle of water from a small tabletop bubbler can induce tranquility. You don't need a large estate to achieve this; a single chair under a tree, a well-placed window box, or pots lining a balcony can become your personal refuge.
Inviting Nature and Building Rituals
Let nature provide the entertainment. Installing a bird feeder or bath, alongside pollinator-friendly plants, will attract birds, bees, and butterflies, offering a captivating display that encourages you to simply zone out and observe.
To make the most of your sanctuary, establish a small daily ritual that draws you to the spot. This could be where you enjoy an afternoon cuppa, read the post, or jot notes in a journal. For Damiano, it's a summer morning stroll in her pyjamas, coffee in one hand and pruners in the other, checking on her plants before the day begins.
In the cooler months, she wraps up in a blanket to sit by the firepit on mild evenings or peruses seed catalogues on the porch, planning for spring while her garden rests. The message is clear: gifting yourself this peace doesn't require much—just a little intention and a welcoming corner to call your own.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.
