Serenity in the Garden

  Image from the book, 'Walls: Elements of Garden and Landscape Architecture' by Gunter Mader On Nov. 14 -  I will be giving a class on 'Stonework in the Garden' at the NY Botanical Garden. My aim is to inform, inspire and stimulate your curiosity.  I hope to see you there.   Andy Goldsworthy - Storm King Art Center I will be sharing several Powerpoints.  One is about the Spirit of Stone and reviews the many ways natural stones can be used in landscape design.   Modern landscape architecture is replete with examples, as well as ancient cultures. Detail from a plan - Johnsen Landscapes & Pools   The other two cover stone paving, stone wall and steps....there is so much to talk about!  

Serenity in the Garden is my way to gladden someone's day and to share my wonder at people' s creativity and Nature's beauty. photo by Jan Johnsen Nov. 11, 2012 - I worked in the gardens of Mohonk Mt. House (a hotel) decades ago. Still one of my favorite places! In New Paltz, NY. I took this photo of their unique rustic gazebos that border Mohonk Lake. Nov. 9, 2012 - "Much patience required. VERY steady hands, heartbeat, breathing, one’s entire being.. required." - Michael Grab (shown here with his creation). http://www.gravityglue.com/ Nov. 8, 2012 - Do you know what is missing in this Zen inspired sand garden? a leaf. lying haphazadly atop the sand. ah, so. Nov. 7, 2012 - W hy not a 'poetry wall' garden? this is in Brooklyn, NY. Design by Terrain.. http://www.terrain-nyc.net/ photo by Jan Johnsen Nov. 6, 2012 - Look carefully - this is a photo on a banner affixed to a plain wall - makes it look like a real...

Om Stone in one of my landscapes- Jan We need to balance the pace and intensity of modern life with periods of what poet May Sarton has called " open time , with no obligations except toward the inner world and what is going on there." ~ Thomas Moore So how to touch the inner world in a garden ?.. I suggest chanting 'OM.' or really 'AUM'. , long and sustained, several times... “Om” is the oldest and most widely known one syllable mantra or chant.    It is said very, very slowly.   The Sanskrit symbol above represents “OM”. It does not say '30' as some might assume.   Look for this - click here: Wall Decal - OM     Though commonly spelled “Om.”, the sound is really 'Ahhooom" and the symbol consists of these three letters, “a,” “u,” and “m,” and includes an after-sound of silence : • The “a” (pronounced "ah," the upper curve) represents our waking state. • The “u” (pronounced "ooh,"...

Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art."   - Frank Lloyd Wright Simplicity is not simple... Simplicity of layout requires great attention to detail. For example, in the photo above, the garden designer had to address how big the squares were, how far apart they should be spaced, what size paving should be used around the turf squares and what color, what kind of turfgrass should be used and how may squares and rows should there be..... The end result is entrancing. Simplicity in planting design is daunting at times. Here Robert Irwin planted up a roof garden at the Getty Center.  Note the glorious shapes, their counterpoint, the arrangement, and the bit of red to the upper left... always go for that bit of red.... and here the simplicity is in the long, slow curve of a wide walk and the stately trees that border it on both sides. Note how far the trees are from the walk - this ...

Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler' - photo by Laura McKillop What is deer resistant, grows in part to full shade, has varigated leaves, likes wet soil, has no serious pests and will naturalize and spread?     Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler'                  'Sparkler' Carex or sedge thrives in moist, organically rich soils so it is perfect for rain gardens or heavy soil. It is considered to be winter hardy to USDA Zone 7 ( hardy to 10 degrees).  It can be grown as an annual is colder regions.   ‘Sparkler’ is clump-forming and has whorl-like clusters of grass-like, variegated leaves at the end of each 12" - 24" tall stem. This makes it look like a mini palm of narrow leaves with broad white margins. Tony Avent describes Carex Sparkler as “a grove of miniature variegated palm trees.” photo taken by Laura McKillop in the conservatory at Longwood Gardens In southe...

Did you know that flowers are healing?   Harvest Moon Echinacea We have the  immunity enhancing echinacea The anti-inflammatory calendula the relaxing lavender  and many more Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the Human Development Lab at Rutgers University, found in her reserch that “flowers have immediate and long-term positive effects on reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory for both males and females.”   Look at these flowers - do they make you happy? a little bit? hawaii bouquet by R.J. Malfafa All age groups in her study exhibited delight and gratitude after receiving flowers which encouraged more positive behavior such as eye contact and sincere smiling. Flowers boost our moods with long-term positive effects which is why we send flowers to sick or healing friends. Just the fragrance alone can send us into a SWEET REVERIE...... Another Rutgers University psychology study not...

Do you feel a pang of guilt when you are asked to go out but you would rather stay home and read, garden, draw, quilt or simply drink a cup of tea?  You are not alone. You are an introvert - given to pondering, creating and being. Many gardeners and garden lovers are, at heart, introverts.  In 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' Susan Cain looks at where we fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum...She explores how “closeted introverts” like Gandhi , Abraham Lincoln , Steve Jobs , Bill Gates have expended enormous energy on trying to pass as extroverts in a culture that rewards extroversion. Wow - I can relate! Most garden lovers, I think, are, by their nature, introverts. We adjust and work hard to pass as extroverts but deep down, we just like to create and putter and appreciate music, art, plants, and more. We work hard to meet the extrovert standard but, truly, we just want to be alone.  Cain...