Serenity in the Garden

Blue features are the most mysterious elements in a landscape. Nowhere is this more true than in the magnificent ‘Majorelle Garden’ located in the heart of Marrakesh, Morocco. Originally created in the 1920’s by the French artist and gardener, Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962), this remarkable 12 acre haven has revolutionized the way we think of color in the garden.   Majorelle was an avid plant collector and filled his botanical park, now open to the public, with exotic plant species from all over the world.  But the overriding feature in this hot and dry environment is Majorelle’s favorite color: a rich shade of cobalt blue. It embellishes buildings, pergolas, fountains and more. Photo from Talking Dog UK This alluring color comes out of the traditional Moroccan aesthetic but Majorelle used 'his blue' with great abandon.  It serves as a spectacular backdrop for multi-colored bougainvillea, bright orange nasturtiums and planters fille...

What makes a great garden photo? Anything that delights you! But if I had to put my finger on it - salient aspects would be the quality of the light and the richness of color .     Also, composition would figure prominently. That said, here are some memorable photographs that have been featured in this year's 'Serenity in the Garden' blog posts....my criteria? whatever grabbed my eye as I perused the photos...I hope you agree.  Doug Thayer Bench photo: Jan Johnsen zen garden kyushu  garden by Jan Johnsen Jim's Poppies 2011 : Jan Johnsen Allerton Gardens Kauai  photo:Jan Johnsen photo: Jan Johnsen from Apartment Therapy Pablo Reinoso bench

Johnsen Landscapes & Pools - Angelface Blue Angelonia and white Begonias l  “If you pass by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it, God gets real pissed off.” ~ Alice Walker Purple tickles the brain. It speaks to us of mystery and enlightenment.  Purple gardens evoke delight and sumptuousness. Leonardo da Vinci said that light streaming through purple stained glass windows could increase the power of meditation ten fold. And scientists have found that purple stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving, integrating both hemispheres of the brain – the thinking left side with the feeling right side.  Stare at purple and your mind will stop chattering...Try it!  In 2008, the ‘Color of the Year’ selected by Pantone was ‘Blue Iris’ (Pantone 18-3943), which combined, "the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple..."   So true - calming and mystical. Indeed Blue/ Purple I...

The High Point / Shady Corner Balance – Serenity Assured A truly harmonious outdoor space is a blend of both open space and shady shelter. The counterbalance of these two opposites can be seen as the ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ of the landscape.   Johnsen Landscapes & Pools - www.johnsenlandscapes.com A high point or open level lawn is bright and forceful, ‘yang’. A sheltered shady spot is muted and soft or ‘yin’. Seeing the world through the complementary lens of yin and yang is an eye opening exercise. Gardens containing both qualities feel balanced and comfortable. Therefore shady sites near open sunny lawns are thoroughly enjoyable places to sit. A note:   moderation is the key to a tranquil and harmonious outdoor space.   Stay away from extremes of ‘yang’ or ‘yin’. For example, if a high point is too high or too exposed, it can be feel scattered.   Likewise, if a low area is too deep or shady, it feels stagnant.  But an open lawn ringed by...

Recently I visited the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden. What a treat in November! I was was so impressed I decided to share with you some of the plants in one corner of this wonderful garden space.  And to think this is in the Bronx, NY.....

The most recent edition of a local magazine '914Inc' featured 28 of Westchester County's accomplished women entrepeneurs...so if you want to know a little about the writer of this garden blog, read article link here: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/914-INC/Q4-2011/Westchester-Countys-Most-Accomplished-Women-Entrepreneurs/ Born with a Green Thumb Jan Johnsen Founder and Co-Principal, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools When she was in the third grade, Jan Johnsen planted corn seeds on the windowsill of her family’s New York apartment.  She soon branched out to the fire escape, where pots of flowers and vegetables thrived. At 16, she won first prize in the Manhattan borough-wide science fair with an experiment on how sound affects the growth  of plants. “My teacher thought it was a stupid idea,” she says, “and that made me want to do it more. I just intuitively knew there was a connection.” Since the...

waterfall by Jan Johnsen      www.johnsenlandscapes.com I am new to the video world but it seems like a perfect way to give garden tours without making you leave your house.. So if you are interested in creating a cascade I hope this walk through a waterfall garden will inspire you and give you some ideas.