In our present hustle-and-bustle society, finding a quiet place where you can still and refresh your soul seems a worthy pursuit. For many, a personal garden is a place of soul healing and rejuvenation.

If you find yourself in a place where you have the space and desire for a personal garden but are uninspired by the views outside your windows, , consider enhancing it with ornamental trees, Japanese maples, and expert Japanese garden design. These elements create a serene environment that soothes the senses while adding timeless beauty to your home. Give us a call at 717-653-1273. We delight in bringing joy and natural beauty to our clients’ outdoor spaces, large and small.

But what if your circumstances do not allow you to create a garden oasis of your own? Emilie Barnes, gardener and author of Time Began in a Garden, offers some suggestions for adding the refreshment of green, growing things to your life. Maybe one of them can become your perfect garden escape!

~ A Friend’s Garden – Perhaps you can bring over a batch of cookies or offer to help with a garden chore in return for an afternoon retreat in his or her outdoor rooms.

~ Public Garden – If you live close to a botanical garden, visit often and be refreshed!

~ A Park or Walking/Hiking Trails – Most cities and communities have public parks and trails that offer the healing benefits of fresh air and natural beauty.

~ Historical Sites – For a small fee (or for free) you can wander through restored gardens to find rest and inspiration.

~ A Local Nursery or Garden Center – The experience of walking into the moist, earthy atmosphere of a greenhouse can awaken your senses and restore your soul. You may even want to bring home a plant or two for your window sill or balcony.

~ A College Campus – Many academic institutions provide landscaped areas where you can sit and reflect.

~ A Garden Club – You may be able to find a club that is open to the public. Some may even offer tours of private and public gardens.

~ A Gardening Co-op – Call around to find out if your community has a community garden where you can care for a garden plot of your own.

Whatever your location and situation, find a way to be outside in God’s big, beautiful world. Breathe deeply and be at peace. Even a short garden stay is better than none at all. Your spirit, mind, and body will thank you.

Suggestions are taken from Emilie Barnes’ reflective garden writings in Time Began in a Garden, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 1995.

Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& frequent garden visitor)

I suppose a Monet would be nice, but honestly, I’d much rather live in the presence of this vibrant, ever-changing artwork!

Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife

Our team recently had the privilege of working on a second project for Rich and Kris, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania.

Following the completion of the project, Kris penned the following note to James, Ben, and the Hanselman team:

“You have transformed our inner courtyard into a serene sanctuary. The design, detail, precision, and placement of boulders and plants and lighting, the craftsmanship is perfection. Beautiful from every angle, inside and outside. Day and evening, we delight with every glance out of our windows from various rooms. We appreciate the extra touches–rearranging our firewood, repairing our downspouts, and your card and prayers for Rich’s recovery. You and all your team are very special people and obviously put your heart and soul into every project. Thank you for bringing light and joy into your clients’ lives and gardens.”

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& fellow “light & joy” recipient)

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

~ John Burroughs (American naturalist, essayist, and conservationist; 1837 – 1921)

Shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& joyful “simple-life” reward recipient)