Stressed out and frazzled from the hectic pace of modern life? Well, a garden sanctuary may just be what you need to slow down and get back on a path to healing.
How to Create a Healing Garden
Anyone with a backyard can create a space for healing and reserve the spot for that purpose. A healing garden can serve many puposes, some focus on growing an herbal healing garden where medicinal herbs are grown. A healing garden can also be your own private sanctuary to enjoy nature and find solace in quiet contemplation. There, you can lift your spirits and soothe the soul amid the pleasant surroundings of beauty and nature. It’s a simple project for the home gardener to do even without any artistic ability.
The Power of Color
The visual stimulus of color has tremendous effect on our senses. Since color dictates emotions, select colors to suit the mood your wish to express. If you desire a healing garden that exudes passion, or invigorates, or excite, colors like red, violet, orange, and yellow would provide that stimulation.
For a tranquil setting, blues and pastel shades invite a calming atmosphere. Green, the dominant color in any garden, harmonizes all structural elements like furniture, trellises, and pots.
Healing Fragrances - Flowers and Herbs
The bonus of choosing scented plants for your garden is that scents make you feel better. Scents also evoke pleasant memories of certain places or special things. Much loved plants like roses are famous for their scents, so is lilac, magnolia, jasmine and honeysuckle, which easily releases fragrance just by touching them. You can also get a whiff when the breeze blows.
An energizing space requires strong scents like eucalyptus, and lemon, and herbs like peppermint, thyme, basil, and lemon. For a calming oasis, choose tranquil scented lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm.
Water
Water is essential life force energy permeated in healing and wholeness. A water feature can be omitted if space is limited, but the presence of water in a garden does feel good to the mind and spirit. Still water, in a pond perhaps or a purification basin, is great for quiet reflection as you stare into it, letting your mind wonder freely. 
For running water, consider purchasing a bubble fountain. This feature contains jets that can shoot water into a pool. Some fountains stream continuously from standing sculptures; others swirl through small cobblestones.
Sound
If your healing garden is designed to energize, create sound in the garden by choosing plants like ornamental grasses and bamboo leaves which rustle in the wind leaves. If you enjoy the sound of wildlife, a trumpet vine will attract hummingbirds. In a more serene atmosphere, tranquility wind chimes and cascading waterfalls (that mimic the sound of a river) are well suited in a meditative garden. Do whatever appeals to your senses and put those in the space.
Seating
Spending significant time in the backyard garden requires a place to sit comfortably among nature and be still. Consider a bench swing, wooden bench, or wrought iron chair with cushion.
Everyone’s idea of a garden for healing is unique. When developing your area, begin with what you already have, then improve on it by making it more healing. You don’t need an elaborate space to uplift your mind and soul. Even a simple, colorful rose garden will do.
Picture Credits
Healing garden - http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanryan/2524615919/
Garden fountain - http://www.flickr.com/photos/25342868@N05/2619734468/