This story i s about the creat ion of a very special

garden room or garden sanctuary. This space in

the garden is a l l about a peaceful and quiet

retreat . Sometimes in a secret locat ion, a garden

sanctuary i s a place you create to rest in , re lax,

hide, dream, and forget the cares of the world.

SANCTUARYBY DAVID DUNN

a gardencreating

12 Ottawa Valley Home & Garden SPRING 2006

I think that all too often we visualize traditional sunnyborders, or large expanses of grass with a few trees andshrubs, as the typical garden. For me, gardeningencompasses many forms: water gardens, rock gardens,dry gardens, alpine gardens, and so on. While these formsof gardening hold many great characteristics, they arealways designed to be “looked at”. A garden should alsobe designed to “be in”

One reads about creating garden rooms. This is theopportunity to create a sense of space, and a garden that isconnected to other gardens through walkways, but is alsoseparated by walls, plantings or structures in a mannercreating the feel of a separate room of the garden. As youbegin to add complexity to a garden through the creationof various garden rooms, you can also add various themes,and colour schemes, and planting techniques. Each roomwill also need to respond to the light conditions, soilconditions and degree of exposure it has.

LocationWhere do you put such a sanctuary? The best option is tofind a part of your garden that already has a sense ofenclosure, and is positioned aware from street noise andthe hustle and bustle of daily life. You want to be able tohear the birds and smell the roses in your retreat.

CharacterThe nature of the retreat you create will respond to thecharacter of the site. Is it sunny or shaded? Is there waterthere? The best retreats will be oriented such that there isa natural screen of prevailing winds. Taking theseconditions into account, a selection of plant materialsresponding to the quality of light and soil will be thebuilding blocks for your garden.

Sense of PlaceThe most important element of design for your sanctuaryis the creation of a sense of place. You can do this byensuring it has a sense of enclosure. It also needs a clearentry. Enclosure and entry build the room, and theaddition of a strong focal point makes it a special place.This can be art, or water in the form of a pond, or a veryornamental plant. You may choose to use an ornamentalgarden design such as a knot garden to be the anchor.Whatever you choose, a focal point moves the garden intoa different role and character. In my garden, I have used alarge weeping cedar as one focal point. In another garden,it’s a fountain.

A Resting PointNow that you have created this special secret retreat, youneed to be able to enjoy it. Your design must include achair, or bench positioned in a way to take advantage ofthe quiet privacy, and also celebrate the focal point. Youneed to remember to take those quiet moments in yourretreat to just soak up the beauty of nature, to rest and todream! Remember to ensure the seating arrangement iscomfortable, so you’re not in a rush to leave.

SimplicityAt the Ramble, there is a point in the garden we call theCathedral. It is on a knoll of old Red Pine. The forest flooris a pristine red carpet of needles. The Pine stand tall, likethe columns of a church. We placed a bench within thisspecial quiet place, and it becomes a special sanctuary atthe end of one of the trails. A simple, quiet joy.

Added HintsThe best way to enjoy your garden sanctuary is whenyou’re not thinking about the clean up or the weeding that

Think about evolvingyour garden into

a place to be,

not a thing to look at.

14 Ottawa Valley Home & Garden SPRING 2006

must be done. Choose a design and plant material thatwill be as carefree as possible. Rely heavily on mulch tokeep the moisture up and the weeds down… This wayyour plants will look better longer into the season, withless effort.

Think about evolving your garden to be a place to be,not a thing to look at. I guarantee that you will begin tosee and experience all kinds of opportunity in shapingand growing your special sanctuary. ❂

David Dunn is a co-owner/operator of Rideau WoodlandRamble which is open April 20th thru mid-November, 7 daysa week, from 9 to 6. Come Ramble! There’s no admission.

211 St. Lawrence Merrickville, ON(613) 269-2999

www.realmerrickville.ca

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COME RAMBLE210 Burritt’s Rapids RoadMerrickville Ontario613-258-3797rideauwoodlandramble.com

COME RAMBLE210 Burritt’s Rapids RoadMerrickville Ontario613-258-3797rideauwoodlandramble.com