Serenity in the Garden

stone bench by Johnsen Landscapes & Pools  In the summer, gardens in my part of the world, are a tangle of foliage, flowers and dense tree canopies. We know we should start cutting back, limbing up or clearing out the overgrowth but what we really want to do is sit in the cool shade and drink a glass of iced tea. Stone Bench by  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools What better contrast to the green lushness that surrounds you than a stone seat or bench, grounded and cool to the touch! Stone seats in the garden have a storied history. The Druids of Northern Europe fashioned stone chairs out of boulders. It is thought that they were used for rituals and perhaps coronations of a sort. Today, in the British Isles and in France, you can find ancient stone seats in fields, woods and near sacred springs. See some great stone benches at the  Stonepost  website Sunny Wieler, an Irish stonemason / artist, follows in his ancestors' tradition a...

I am teaching a landscape design class today at the New York Botanical Garden.  It is called Learning from Before & After  I share photos and use them to teach landscape Design Principles - it is a great visual way to learn. I give out handouts and even have a quiz.... Come join us! starts at 10 am. Here is one example that I use -  Modifying a Deck - How to make an outdoor space a little more Serene  When this family asked me to make their backyard more serene and usable they never imagined I would tell them to alter their architect-designed deck! But when I arrived and saw their property I quickly realized that the 'grand staircase' that led from their deck was more 'show' than anything else. It was perfect as a 'Gone with the Wind' stairway, allowing Vivien Leigh to descend in her long hoop skirt, but it did not fit a modern 21st century family.  My suggestion? Remove the staircase entirely and build one on the side of the ...

'Lemon Daddy' Hydrangea lights up a soggy scene in one of my gardens.  The theme is rounded forms. The colors are green, yellow and beige. The mood is slightly damp. The lighting is muted, as are the sounds. It is a precious moment and Lemon Daddy adds a simple sizzle. garden and photo - Jan Johnsen, bench - Campania

I love the term 'jewel tones'.  It sounds like crystalline music: "the singer's jewel tones soared through the atmosphere..." Jewel tones are rich colors with a high level of saturation. They are bold and t heir vibrancy resembles the color of gemstones, such as emerald green, amethyst purple, ruby red, topaz yellow, sapphire blue, tourmaline green, and turquoise blue. Many artists like these saturated colors. Geum In fashion, jewel tones never go out of style..they are the clear, pure colors that people with a 'winter' skin coloring should wear. Some folks just look fab in purple, magenta and royal blue. photo by Jan Johnsen  Gardens featuring jewel tones are alluring but be careful : rich colors must be used in moderation or your garden can become an overbearing cacophony rather than a scintillating song... But done right, clear, vibrant color is a winner. Even in a quiet Japanese garden this violet/magenta az...

The idea that we are living within a world swirling with unseen energies is not a new one...   The Chinese idea of Tao comes closest to what mystics, tribal peoples and modern day physicists explain as the basis of all life. (white plumeria, Kauai )   The Tao, as Alan Watts writes, is not God “in the sense of ruler, monarch, commander, architect and maker of the universe,” but an “intelligent rhythm” ( Watts,  “Tao: the Watercourse Way”   P 40 ): “The great Tao flows [also “floats” and “drifts”] everywhere to the left and to the right, All things depend upon it to exist, And it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claim. It loves and nourishes all things, but does not lord it over them. (Jim's Golden Laceleaf Elderberry - Jan Johnsen)           A flourishing garden spotlights this intelligent rhythm. It is our everyday “repositor...

( Profusion zinnias, marigolds,salvia, plectranthus -  Jan Johnsen ) Annual flowers - those that bloom all summer into late fall (then give it up for good) - are the secret to a joyful and colorful garden.  I know some people might think that colorful flowers are too bright, too eye-catching or overstated but I say, 'embrace the color!' Nature communicates through color. Color is its catalyst and its signal. Birds and insects navigate by color, among other things, and besides, annual flowers' color makes us happy. (Jan Johnsen - coleus, plectranthus,angelonia, and more) It does require extra work in the spring. You must prepare the flower beds and plant seeds or small plants during the cool days of spring. But boy, does it pay off during the summer and fall. The display enriches our everyday life and greets us every morning with a colorful 'pop'. (Mohonk Mountain House, incredible place) I know all about annual flowers because after g...

Jan Johnsen -  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools  A gate announces a new experience. If you elongate or expand the entry area it makes the transition even more tantalizing. The gate shown here is in a lovely property that I redesigned ...We installed a pool and renovated the old gate with new hinges, roofing and paint. I installed a bluestone threshold beneath and extended it out into the peony garden. The overhead roof makes a grand statement. The white color stands out against a green setting. The gateway leads down existing brick steps which extends the 'entry experience'. That is Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' or Japanese Dappled Willow on both sides of the gate. It is a great plant for pool areas as its striking white-green foliage moves in the breeze and brightens up any sunny area. Cut it down to a foot or two above the ground in late fall and watch it grow back through the summer! Jan Johnsen - Johnsen Landscapes & Pools Here is t...

Circles in the landscape - design by Jan Johnsen Our natural inclination, when in a group, is to gather in a circle. The ineluctable unity of this shape gives each person equal standing, equal voice and equal support. It is a perfect shape for expressing ourselves to others.  The result? A unified purpose or intention arising from talking and listening, in turn. Yay for the circle! Like theater in the round, no one has a better seat than anyone else. It is no wonder that circular gathering spaces are popular for group activities and in various spiritual traditions. The Contemplative Mind is enhanced through circular gatherings This is why I advocate  Circular Peace Gardens  wherever people may gather. A circle is a nurturing form that invites us in - there are no hard edges, corners or angles. Alcazar Garden, Seville, Spain  photo by Jan Johnsen  So what is the perfect size for a circular 'people s...

Garden - Jan Johnsen   “If you’re too busy to sit still for 10 minutes, you need to sit still for an hour.”  – Zen proverb 

We all head to the light     #heavenisagarden The aim of my book, 'Heaven is a Garden ', is to have people to see their garden in a new light.  I share landscape design ideas   that resonate with the earth and the heavens and I show how these can be used to create  outdoor spaces that enhance wellbeing.   Timeless stone at Innisfree   #heavenisagarden My intention is to re-awaken interest in ancient wisdom and its connection to the natural world.  Plants, trees, stone, water and more are highlighted and the book includes ways you can use these natural elements to create a calming atmosphere.   Golden Full Moon Maple   (Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum') I talk about the effect of simple, defined forms and how they affect us in a garden layout. Circles are powerful. Ellipses encourage movement and are inviting. Rectilinear forms are familiar and comforting.  repetition intrigues us I also address color ...