As I began my garden travels in August I fled the high temperatures of the Valley and I fled from the highly charged political debate engulfing our country. I longed for peace in a garden as only nature could bring. As our country and the world grapple with so many conflicts I try to remember conflict is part of life. Peace Gardens remind me citizens throughout the world see gardens as a path to peace.
I love a bit of art in my garden and public gardens like art too! Now what do I mean by ‘art?’ Of course that would be a question for the sages to decide. Though I’ll give it a try and say that I see it as an element made by human hands that mixes in with the natural elements of our gardens. Certainly at the Desert Botanical Garden Dale Chihuly’s glass art has been mixed in with the natural world to great surprise and delight for thousands of visitors. The excitement of such art draws local visitors in when they might overlook returning to a familiar garden. Across the country public gardens work with this idea and as you travel this summer prepare to be surprised and delighted by art in the garden
Gardeners love mornings, especially Arizona gardeners. Early morning is an inviting time to be among the blooms, buds and shrubs, enjoying the changes each day brings to our own little gardens. Morning is the time for me to take a cup of coffee to my favorite seat in the garden. I have a little bench that I return to again and again. Seated here, I can watch the sunrise and the sky change colors between the branches of the 30 year-old olive tree in the east corner of my back yard.
