While some health issues have been causing big changes in my life lately, I've been turning to the things I feel familiar with - more than ever my garden has been a huge source of comfort and inspiration to me and in some ways is an extended part of my studio.
My garden is full of memories and full of plans for the future.
My garden is full of memories and full of plans for the future.
It's where I feel closest to my mum - she would have been such a strong and loving support to me through this rather trying time and she is deeply missed.
When my mum was living with Alzheimers the garden was our favourite place to be - I turned her little herb garden into a sensory garden where we could enjoy the flavours, smells and textures of the plants. Wild strawberries were scattered throughout and Pineapple Broom gave off a beautiful fruity scent. Chocolate Cosmos really did smell deliciously of real chocolate (that was one of our favourites!) and we'd crush and smell the leaves of Lemon Balm, Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender. Heliotrope had a smell very much like cherry pie (which is also it's nickname) and Stachys Lanata had the softest, furriest leaves to stroke.
Some of the plants have disappeared during bouts of neglect due to many different reasons throughout the years, but there is still an abundance of favourite plants that have survived through both the good and bad times - Thalictrum with it's especially beautiful fern like foliage, Geums and Rock Roses, and blue Geraniums. I've been gently working on the garden when I can so that it continues to be a place of inspiration, comfort, peace and tranquility, and where new memories will be made.
Here are some older photos of the herb garden - the house and lower lawn are behind the bench, hidden by the hedge so I'm working on opening it all up so I can see this part of the garden from the house.
I'm joining up with Julia over at WOYWW and I apologise for the length of this post - I seem to have rambled on for an unusually long time today!
Diana, the sense of smell is one of the most important and brings back many memories people are prone to forget. It was wonderful that you created an herb garden for your mother. I also hope you feel better soon, too. I love your "desk" today, and the bench I would LOVE to sit at and enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents. Happy WOYWW from # 6.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is magnificent. There is nothing more inspiring than the a space where we can relax unwind and just think.. Our senses do all the talking. Yours holds so many memories to cherish, embrace it all Diana, enjoy and let nature be your calming breath as you have created a wonderful habitat.
ReplyDeleteCreative Hugs Tracey #7
Hello Diana. What a beautiful post! I love your garden - it's just wonderful. Am sitting here smelling the different plants! I trust your garden will continue to be a good place for you - a place to sit, and to think, and to find your Father God.
ReplyDeleteTake care. God bless.
Margaret #1
What a beautiful and wistful post today - as Elizabeth just said, smell is a forgotten memory. I only have to open a pot of Nivea and it takes me straight back to a rather unruly 8 year old self who'd spent too long out in the sun - it's the smell of childhood summers for me. So what a lovely thing to do for your mum, the smell of herbs is so evocative, the perfect thing to reach those remanining memories.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is exactly how i would have imagined!! Gorgeous :-D
Hugs LLJ 10 xxx
Gorgeous flowers. Thanks for sharing today - Hazel, WOYWW 472 xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, heartfelt post, Diana! Very poetic and so beautifully illustrated. I love your little secret garden - it must be a true sanctuary away from the harsh reality of life sometimes. I got into the habit of walking up the field behind our house every night at sunset and I always feel at peace and in tune with nature when I do that. We have to do all we can to stay positive and optimistic. I hope your health condition improves soon and whatever treatment you get will be effective. Keeping you in my thoughts xx zsuzsa #22
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWDW
ReplyDeleteLove your garden and the flowers are lovely
lilian B #17
What beautiful flowers. Thanks for sharing them. My mom has dementia and simple things of color and feel are things she loves. She had to leave assited living and go to the nursing home after a mild stroke. But I feel so much stress when I leave and usually a few tears. Sometimes being with nature helps nurture our soul. We finally have sunshine and it will help me 100%. The other good news my Doctor is retiring. I swear my last 2 visits I left questioning his not getting to the issue...I ended up with massage and have felt so much better. Hope things work out for you. Try to find the peace and good in simple things. Hugs to you Diana.
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, what a beautiful collection of photos! I love the herb garden photo- beautiful.Your garden really is delightful. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz#8 XxXx
ReplyDeleteDear Diana , such a beautiful post, and even I feel the sadness and worry having been part of your life, lately, I can also sense your optimism now, for the future in your gorgeous garden, and for all the new experiences and memories to be constantly built ,there. I wish you a wonderful summer Diana, and that your life will be filled with many many joy filled hours in your beautiful garden this year , and in the many years to come. Hugs from Dorthe
ReplyDeleteI just love your garden, so wild yet contained. The idea of a scent garden is wonderful! I will have to write down all the names you have mentioned. I wish I had more room to plant a lovely garden like yours! Most of our yard is in deep shade, surrounded by lots of trees. Someday I just might dig up our whole front yard, since that is where the sun is! Have a great week! Lindart #29
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you've been having health issues, but your garden is just wonderful, I am glad it is giving you some comfort. Helen #2
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, sorry to hear of your health issues. The garden really is a wonderful place for relaxing and recharging. Yours has some beautiful flowers and spaces. We need more people to follow in your mum's footsteps and have a go. Bystander CPR is so important! Thanks for stopping by earlier, and your kind words. Have a lovely week, Heather x #15
ReplyDeleteSuch an evocative blog post today.. I could almost smell the amazing scents you portrayed. I loved the photos too.
ReplyDeleteSumbunneh hugs x
Erika #13
Gorgeous flowers Diana and love the garden pics too. Before I forget....the packets that you saw on my desk are Imagination Craft Art stamps and they do have flowers and seed head stamps which are quite different than any others I've seen. I'll try and remember to show somw on my desk next week. Have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x18x
ReplyDeleteWow Diana, your sensory garden sounds amazing, I could smell the different plants and flowers just from your description. Beautiful flowers too. Thanks for visiting. Sarah #16
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Diana - those delicate flowers are so beautiful and what lovely memories they carry. xx Jo
ReplyDeleteIt’s a beautiful post Diana and I send my love to you through it. Life is and can be very hard at times and there’s where I am at the moment. Your post today has been a joy to see
ReplyDeleteLynn xxx
What a truly beautiful place to spend time - inspiration for vision, fragrance, touch and I'm sure sound too, with birdsong - and full of those important memories. The flowers arranged in your vase look like the perfect collection from an old English cottage garden... simply delightful. I hope you find your way through the present troubles, and I'm sure your garden will play a big role in that journey.
ReplyDeleteAlison x