Maggie and the flowers.

The white garden is an amalgam of Zen meets Western excess. 

Morning coffee today was a sitting meditation. I feel renewed and centered which was my goal for the garden.

White gardens are known for projecting a sense of tranquility and quiet. Even though I scattered more blue and purple throughout than I had planned on, the effect is still the same.

Already, it feels like an oasis of peace.

Maggie joined me, choosing to sit near the petunias in silent meditation. She and I both lifted our faces to early sun and enjoyed the slight zephyr of late spring.  The scent of the garden encouraged deep breaths and breathe deeply, she and I did. 

While sometimes coffee is just a caffeine delivery system, other times it is spiritual experience. Today was such a day. The warmth of the cup, the wafting steam, and the soothing taste were exquisite. 

The breeze wasn’t enough to persuade the wind chimes, but their copper glinted in the sun. The grass was dew drenched, the flowers slowly opened, and bees droned.

Already, this little sanctuary of mine feels like an oasis of peace.

The shades of green are soothing whether it be the silvery-gray of dusty miller, the bright green of creeping phlox, the deep green of the roses or the bluish hue of the moss. The white blossoms glow in early dawn and at dusk – floral candlelight. The blues and purple bring out the shades of white.  I am pleased.

Moss on the old oak.

I had worried, a tiny bit, that when realized this new garden would be boring in its lack of color. Instead, it is all texture and shape, lines and curves, gentle arcs and points of light. 

There is a great density and variety of plants that belie the spare focus of true Zen, but I’m a woman raised in a Western tradition that adopts only those aspects that feel comfortable.  When the plants fill out, spread, and bloom there will be masses of each blending into one another.  The result will be a uniformity of diversity. 

I’m happy that my goals are unfolding in the way I had hoped, even if my plans change with the discovery of each new plant. There is still a great amount to do, but all things in time.  I’m right here, right now and it’s a good place to be.