Emerson is filling her garden with joy!
The Essence of a Garden
What is the essence of a garden? Is it the types of plants? Is it the type of stone or tile used? Is it achievement of perfection? The painter, Claude Monet described it as enchantment, that je ne sais quoi quality that transforms a yard into a garden.
I think the answer is YOU! For the last 50 years or so we’ve been designing landscapes and advising everyone, “Fill your garden with joy.” Clients have asked me what this means and if anyone can fill their garden with joy. The answer is "YES".
You see this isn’t just something we can do; it’s a thing everyone can and should do. You muster up some affinity, some admiration, some joy, and you simply imbue things with it. Every garden carries with it a sense of individuality and your input and appreciation is what filling a garden with joy is all about.
San Ysidro Ranch entry with ancient Olives and Spanish lavender is classic elegance
The Perfect Garden
You may have seen landscapes that are designed to be “perfectly maintained” such as a super modern home with straight lines and architecture. You may have even been impressed by how neat everything was; there is a sense of order (and joy) in that.
Another is the organic, vegetable, fruit tree, berry bushes, compost heap, and chicken coop type of garden with a real gardener at the gate. Even though this place is kind of a mess, it has a kind of friendly vibe or essence. Well, someone filled that garden with that essence, that vibe, that joy. The point is that it’s not how many plants, or what size or if there is a fountain or fire pit or whether it is neat or messy. Rather it is how much of yourself your put into it. It is that you conjure up and fill your garden with joy that counts.
Lotus in bloom at Lotusland in Montecito
Claude Monet's Garden
One of the most famous gardens in the world is the one designed by Claude Monet in Giverny, France, not far from Paris.
He was once quoted as saying "I've caught this magical landscape and it's the enchantment of it that I'm so keen to render. Of course lots of people will protest that it's quite unreal, but that's just too bad."
I'm pretty sure Monet filled his garden with joy and himself and his garden and paintings continue to enchant all these years later.
So, go ahead and Fill your Garden with Joy! (let us know how it turns out)