Cultivate a Sense of Place

I believe that the best gardens cultivate a sense of place, rather than merely decorate a space. Our gardens are illusions of our ideal environment. We’re not trying to replicate an exact landscape, we’re creating a garden echo, both visual and emotional, of a favorite place right outside the backdoor.

As garden-makers our inclination is to mine every landscape we see for ideas and solutions to garden stalemates. Books, flower shows, garden blogs and travel, all provide fodder for future planting schemes. Even a simple walk around the neighborhood can lead to inspiration and/or practical solutions. After all, if a plant is thriving in a neighbor’s garden it will likely do well for you as well.

Just around the corner from my house along the shore of Puget Sound, windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) dominate the front gardens of 4 contiguous houses — I stopped counting at 25. It’s not a look for everyone, but either these homeowners share a cherished vacation destination or, more likely, a common landscaper. But at least I now know that this particular palm loves this location.

A winter thought experiment

We work too hard and invest too many resources in our gardens to settle for something less than a landscape that fits us like our favorite garden gloves. However, with so many possibilities it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Optimism and motivation quickly turn to overstimulation and fatigue, to say nothing of the hit on our bank account.

It’s winter, let’s conduct a little thought experiment:

• What is your happy place?
• Where did you hang out as a kid when life was simple and unfettered?
• What’s your favorite vacation destination?

Alpine tapestry at Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee, WA.

A groundcover tapestry at sea level.

Next, hold that place in your mind and think of the character of the space. If you’re an avid hiker, you might be drawn to tapestries of alpine groundcovers or a canopy of deep woods and shade? Perhaps you live in a frigid climate, occasionally escaping to warm sun and umbrella drinks. You might have to squint but integrating broad shiny leaves and fruit punch-colored blooms will infuse your landscape with a hint of a tropical paradise. Or maybe you’re a heat loving desert rat living in a damp rainy climate. Go ahead and plant your beloved cacti and succulents but don’t kid yourself, you’ll likely need to make room in the basement to overwinter your darlings.

Honey, I shrunk the garden

I once aspired to this.

I’ve always been fascinated by knot gardens. Years and years ago I planted 100 rooted boxwood cuttings and planted my own private parterre. It was a grand day when the tiny plants were large enough to cast a shadow on a snowy day. However, the satisfaction of disciplined pruning soon lost its luster, and my knotted garden unraveled.  

For a while I scratched my knot garden itch with miniaturized container versions. Over time they too succumbed to a lack of the gardener’s attention. Today, several boxwood orbs, remnants of that original planting, are scattered throughout my garden. Some years they even get pruned.

Salty breezes

Beach days on Whidbey Island circa 1960s

I grew up playing on the beach. I love a big sky and open horizon. Can you guess which one is me?

One of my favorite places on the planet is the lavender field at Matanza Creek Winery which is like an inland sea.

Echoes of a favorite vacation destiny in my home garden.

So, while I don’t live on the water, through my garden I lead a rich imaginary life. Twisted hollywood junipers look like they’re buffeted by strong winds and ornamental grasses billow throughout the growing season. I think of it as waterfront property minus the property taxes. Which leaves me more money to spend on plants.

Cultivate a Sense of Place originally appeared on GardenRant on January 20, 2025.

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