When I am disheartened by the cares of the world, I only have to look up at the Cardinal singing its heart out in the branches of a Dawn Redwood to remember that I, too, have a myriad of reasons to rejoice. In my garden, I am reminded that the Almighty Hand that clothes the flowers and feeds the birds also cares for me. My garden becomes a cathedral where my heart cries out for wisdom and shouts out songs of gratitude and praise. Here, I find great joy, even in hard times.

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& garden joy-seeker)

A garden is a respite from the everyday chaos of a busy life. When I am stressed by deadlines and schedules, I can sit on the stone steps in our garden and observe the painstaking progress of a spider repairing its web between two branches of a Japanese Maple. I can listen to the whisper of the wind through the Pines above me or watch tiny leaf buds unfurl in the spring sunshine. Our garden is a sanctuary where I am able to slow down, smell the flowers, and regain my balance. It is a place where my spirit finds shelter.

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& garden shelter recipient)

I am married to a gardener so I have visited gardens, learned the Latin names of several trees and shrubs, and am beginning to understand some of the rationale behind successful garden design principles. But I have never been compelled to prune a tree for fun or plant shrubs in my spare time, as a true gardener would. As a busy mother and grandmother, however, I realize that, even though I am not a gardener, I desperately need daily contact with the natural beauty and refreshment a garden provides. I need a place where I can still my often-anxious soul and my congestion-and-commercial weary eyes. For me, our garden has become a place of rest.

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& beneficiary of garden rest)

From garden design and choice of materials to plant care techniques, Hanselman Landscape follows time-honored Japanese garden traditions. But with so many garden styles to choose from, what has led Hanselman Landscape to the Japanese for inspiration?

At the heart of Hanselman Landscape’s mission is the desire to learn from the best garden builders in the world. According to Doug Roth, publisher of a Japanese garden journal (Sukiya Living), every culture is highly successful in at least one area, and “the Japanese are very, very good at landscape gardening.” In fact, Japanese garden tradition has been under development for more than 1,000 years, and is far more refined than most people comprehend. As defined by Roth, Japanese gardens are high-quality living environments that reflect the beauty of the natural world and respond to basic human needs.

The careful thought, high-quality workmanship, and integration of nature’s beauty with daily life that characterize Japanese gardening culture also guide the vision and standards of Hanselman Landscape. For this reason, each company team member is continually trained in traditional Japanese gardening methods. This training is applied to every aspect of gardening, from design to maintenance. Regardless of the style of garden being developed, many Japanese garden techniques have universal application, resulting in high-quality, enduring gardens that delight and refresh.

Proudly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& grateful HL team member)

Although the weather is still cold and spring may seem a long way off, there are some garden tasks you can begin now in anticipation of the spring rush in a few months.

PRUNE DECIDUOUS TREES–Without leaves, deciduous trees are easier to prune, since branch structure is clearly visible and more accessible.

CONSIDER ADDING OUTDOOR LIGHTING–Outdoor lighting can highlight the silhouettes of bare trees and evergreens, providing outside interest and a warm welcome during the cold, darker months of the year. (If you want to brighten your outlook, please visit our website and contact us: 717-653-1273!)

CUT DOWN GRASSES–Late winter is a great time to cut down Liriope and ornamental grasses, so that new growth comes up fresh and clean, without the unsightly dead leaves that increase the chance for rot.

Shared by Betty Hanselman Gardener’s wife (& garden steward–even in winter!)

As you plan your garden, you may be encouraged to know that Japanese garden techniques, developed over thousands of years, can inform today’s gardens, no matter the style.
Through his garden research, James Hanselman, principal at Hanselman Landscape, has been inspired by the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Japanese garden traditions. “The Japanese have found ways to incorporate natural beauty in elegant and sustainable ways, even in very tiny urban spaces,” he confirms. “I have dedicated myself to learning and applying Japanese design and care techniques, so that our clients are similarly refreshed when they gaze out of their windows or stroll through their gardens.”

Contributed by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& advocate of garden joy)