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Do you live near a park? Most people do – there are so many
around now. All levels of government recognize the value of a green environment.
And, of course, if people know that government has provided them with lots of
parks and trees, they’ll get lots of votes. But the bottom line is – we have, in
North America, some absolutely beautiful parks.
Some of the most beautiful parks are natural areas, untouched by man, with lots
of trees and plants flourishing in their natural environment. For example, New
York’s Central Park is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city,
even though it’s right in the middle of the city. In California, there’s Redwood
Park, with its statuesque redwood trees. In Vancouver, Canada, there’s Stanley
Park, another beautiful acreage of natural habitat, set right next to the city.
And then there are the world-famous gardens, like Butchart Gardens in Victoria,
British Columbia, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, and the
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town. These displays of flowers literally
take your breath away, their beauty is so stunning.
But you don’t have to go around the world to find a garden that takes your
breath away. You can create your own park – your own place to go on sunny
Saturday afternoons, complete with shady trees and cool summer breezes. You can
create the best of parks right in your own backyard (or front yard, too, for
that matter).
Imagine your garden as a beautiful park
Why do people go to parks? Most would probably say that they go
to parks to relax. Think of the soothing feeling you get when you walk into a
quiet forest, with their pine needle beds and their sweet scent of mature wood.
Or perhaps the park you most like to visit is a garden of floral delights –
roses, chrysanthemums, magnolias, and perhaps even orchids. These gardens are
definitely places that whisk us away from the rush of your daily lives into what
almost seems like another world. These are the gardens that are decked out in
flowers, with colorful garden decorations, statues, bridges, fountains – all the
things that just call out to you saying, Come. Sit down. Relax. Breathe in the
wonder of nature. Who could resist that call?
But you don’t need to go out to parks or gardens to find an environment so
sweet. You only need to go as far as your own back yard. There’s no reason why
you can’t create a garden of your own, just as good as any you’ll find in your
neighborhood, or in your tourist area. You can create your own garden.
If you don’t think you’re creative enough, then there are lots of landscapers
who can give you expert advice. They’ll come and survey your yard, and present
you with a number of plans that’ll give you a wonderfully unique garden that’ll
make you the envy of the entire neighborhood – or maybe even the city.
Landscapers are trained professionals. They can design and create a whole
environment of beauty from your plain old yard. But whether you hire somebody,
or do it yourself, the possibilities are endless. There are literally hundreds
of ways you can beautify your garden. One unique way is with a decorative
mailbox and post in front of your home.
You can create a garden as good as any park
To come up with a wonderfully-landscaped garden, just sit back,
close your eyes, and let your imagination run wild. Picture yourself sitting in
your gazebo, the soft water of a gently-running fountain soothing your senses.
You rise from your garden bench, and slowly wander over your little wooden
bridge that crosses the babbling brook flowing through your garden. You stop
here and there to admire the roses climbing the trellis, or smell the carnations
crawling up the gazebo walls, perhaps picking one to take inside and put in a
glass on your living-room table.
What a wonderful feeling that is, isn’t it? And this is something totally within
your range of possibility. Think of all the things you could do to turn your
yard into a park. You could put little statues at the entrance, beckoning
everyone that passes by to stop and commune with nature a while. If you’d like
to educate your friends as they enjoy your garden, you could put up garden
signs, naming the more exotic plants and flowers you’ve brought in. Great
conversation pieces!
One of the more popular items in a creative garden these days is a pond. There
are dozens of types of fish you can keep, depending on the size of the pond. You
can fill it with lily pads, and floating plants. You can even put a fountain
right in the pond. There’s nothing like sitting in your yard with your eyes
closed, listening to the soothing sound of gently-splashing water. It just seems
to take you away from it all, doesn’t it?
Gardens can be functional, too
The functional aspects of your garden can be
esthetically-pleasing, too. You can now get decorative water sprinklers with a
dragonfly or butterfly on top. And garden structures don’t have to be big and
ugly. You can get garden sheds that look more like little guest houses,
colorfully decorated with ivy and vines. Outside the shed, you could put a
garden bench, inviting someone to sit and take a deep breath of fresh air,
fueled by the fragrance of blooming flowers.
You can do the same thing with your shade structures, too. You can strategically
place canopies around your garden, creating little rest areas. Or you can get
very creative with awnings, like attaching them to your gazebo, or a trellis,
where they can be rolled out as the sun passes. Again, these are available in
many attractive designs, fulfilling their function, while still providing a
pleasant view.
And how about a deck, to connect all that garden beauty to your house. A deck
can also be very functional, while still remaining charming and stylish. And you
can outfit your deck with some great-looking teak patio furniture, and protect
yourself from the sun with a colorful awning that’ll match your house. Again, it
can look good and provide a purpose at the same time.
What a picture you’ve painted
That’s quite a picture you’ve painted in your mind, isn’t it?
Well, it doesn’t have to remain just a picture. You can turn it into reality any
time you want. There are some wonderful Garden Centers out there. There’s sure
to be one in your neighborhood. The people there are usually very knowledgeable
and very helpful. They can guide you through all the phases of creating your own
park in your own yard. They’ll help you find the best garden decorations.
They’ll show you the best garden furniture. They’ll help you choose the best
garden structures.
When you’re developing your garden, take the time to let your creative juices
flow. Come up with unique ideas that identify your garden with you. Duplicate
your personality in your garden.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron is a successful author
providing moneysaving tips and common sense advice for consumers purchasing
area rugs and
inflatable kayaks. Her many articles offer valuable insight and
straight talk on confusing topics.
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