Patricia Whynot, D.C.Ed

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Creating A Garden Sanctuary

by Trish Whynot, D.C.Ed.

Creating a Garden Sanctuary “Sanctuary is where we take care of our soul. It is both a place and a state of the mind and heart—a refuge to hold dear and to reverently give.” suggest Christopher Forrest McDowell and Tricia Clark-McDowell, owners and stewards of the Cortesia Sanctuary. Intention to designate a space as sacred is what transforms it to sanctuary status.

When we raise a location in nature to sanctuary status we gift it with elements that bring delight to our heart and soul. A sacred space is a place where we allow nature to touch our humanity and where we allow our humanity to touch nature. The intent is not to control nature, nor for nature to control us, but rather a place where we as people and nature can come to know and enjoy each other.

Dream, inspire, reflect, renew: all the important things we don’t tend to make time for are what a sanctuary is all about. It is a place to relax and to be energized—to hear and to be heard. Even the mundane act of maintaining the garden when done mindfully (with intention versus ‘to get it done’) presents an opportunity to bring us into the experience of the present moment where we can commune with the spirit of our sanctuary.

As we grow and evolve so will our sanctuary; don’t force a completion deadline. Try this philosophy with your sanctuary—enjoy the entire journey rather than waiting until your sanctuary is done to enjoy it. Be mindful and savor every creative step.

Steps to Consider When Composing a Sanctuary

(These suggestions are for an outdoor garden but can be modified for indoor sanctuaries; some have even created garden sanctuaries on rooftops or in a patch of woods.)

Layout: A sanctuary is an area designated for reflection and inspiration; take this into consideration when choosing and laying out your sanctuary space.

a. Location: Choose a quiet, out-of-the-way location—a place where you are less likely to be disturbed; a place where your experience with nature is stronger than your experience with humanity. Natural barriers such as trees and shrubs can muffle outside noises as can fences and walls. Your sanctuary is an outdoor room and should have boundaries to designate and hold the essence of the space. It is a space that you and nature maintain together. A boundary could even be a line where you agree that nature is to take care of herself beyond this point. If you decide on this boundary don’t interfere beyond it.

b. Size: Make it manageable for yourself. “Maintaining the garden should not become another chore on your to-do list.” reminds Peg Streep in her book, Spiritual Gardening. A garden sanctuary will need tending, but this too should be part of the experience so be sure to take into consideration the level of care you wish to contribute when determining size. You can always add on or complete it in segments if you are a gardening novice, and even potted plants on a private balcony or deck can be transformed to sanctuary status with a little intention. If you can dream it you can have it, so be creative with materials, refrain from the word ‘can’t,’ and be open to the magical unfolding of an idea.

c. The entrance: Choose your path into this outdoor room. Your entrance is a place of transition. It provides the mind with the realization that you are entering into a different space—and in the case of a sanctuary, not only different, but sacred. The entrance can be a gate or an archway, or a corridor lined with flowers or shrubs, or simply a threshold. Your entrance should convey the experience of leaving one place or space and entering another.

d. A focal point: This could be as elaborate as a labyrinth, pond, fountain, or sculpture, or as simple as a bird bath, a chunk of rose quartz, or an assortment of plants in a large pot. Your focal point should facilitate reflection.

e. A walkway: “For many people movement is an essential part of spiritual work, and creating a pathway—even one that doesn't go very far in actual footage—may enrich a spiritual garden by suggesting the path that is spiritual growth.” suggests Peg Streep.

f. Seating: As seasons change you may want a new view so take this into consideration when choosing seating. Wooden chairs or benches can be moved around more easily than stone.

Elements: Since a sanctuary is a place to tend to heart and soul, its elements should bring delight with ease and engage all of our senses. Clutter adds stress, so keep your space meaningful and simple. When an element no longer has significance, respectfully remove it. Be mindful and treat each element with the reverence that an invited guest deserves.

a. Whom do you desire to invite to your sanctuary? Birds, butterflies, toads, frogs? I personally have an affection for hummingbirds and the choice of nectar-producing flowers in my garden reflects it. I have their bloom times covered so there will be food from early spring through fall. If you aren’t consistent with your feeding they will seek nectar elsewhere, so a well-maintained feeder can keep you covered. Coincidently, many varieties of butterflies have similar tastes. So if you invite hummingbirds, butterflies will likely be an added bonus. A natural stone border will provide a home for toads, as will a whimsical ceramic ‘toad home.’ And a pond is an open invitation to frogs.

b. Colors: Don’t be concerned with what others might think; do what feels good, this is your sanctuary after all. Colors are telling—those you are drawn to will give you information about how you are feeling and/or how you desire to feel. Gay Search has an entire chapter devoted to color and color therapy in her book The Healing Garden.

c. Consider bloom time: Some annuals bloom all summer, while perennials have a more designated bloom period. Have all your seasons covered for your sanctuary pleasure and that of your visitors. Be sure to check bloom times when purchasing plants.

d. Trees: Trees offer shade and a nesting place for birds. They also add dimension and texture to a sanctuary. They can even provide a focal point.

e. Fragrances and tastes: Deliberately bring fragrance into your sanctuary. There are of course the floral scents—lavender is a soothing scent for a sanctuary garden, as are roses—but herbs such as mint are aromatic and come in many varieties, most of them edible. Peppermint adds flavor to cold summer beverages and can be tossed into salads. Placing mint in pots will contain it since mint is invasive. Lemon Balm is in the mint family, is less invasive and is one of my favorites. The refreshing scent of Lemon Balm makes for a calming tea or a restorative bath.

Tips for bringing the essence of your sanctuary indoors

a. Bring the restorative essence of your sanctuary indoors with fresh or dried bath-suitable herbs and flowers.

b. Let it uplift your spirit in little bouquets sprinkled throughout your living space.

c. Allow it to tantalize your olfactory and taste buds in healthy dishes.

The layout and elements of a garden sanctuary engage our senses and make up its harmony. Remember, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed; creating a sanctuary is a journey. It is an opportunity to come to know yourself and nature. Your sanctuary will evolve as you do, one step at a time. The McDowells remind us in their book, The Sanctuary Garden, “Don't worry about your low budget or lack of space or the need to ration out your precious free time. Those thoughts are the too familiar symptoms of the disease of adulthood.” When one walks into a garden sanctuary, all perception changes. That is the point. Worries, duties, and obligations are left outside the gate as we open ourselves to receive the mysteries of wonder, magic, enchantment, and delight that abound in nature. Dreams, inspiration, insights, and renewal thrive in a sanctuary. Pray and hear the answers to your prayers come through the elements of your personalized stillness.