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The Seed Exchange

Healing garden ideas?

16 years ago

I have been uprooted again and left behind my beautiful yard and 4 years of hard work and seed planting. I only mourn the loss of my yard. However, I now have 2 acres in the country bare ex cept for a few hostas and some 75% off shrubs and plants I got a month or so ago. I have decided to plant my yard to help old emotional wounds heal. I have a great life now, two boys (5 and 2) and a great husband, but old sadnesses still linger sometimes. I am going to exorcise those old demons by getting good and dirty. (before this life I had years of every kind of abuse imaginable, neglect, sadness and even a period of homelessness. 2 years ago after my youngest was born I lost a man that I loved like a daddy and got so depressed that I cant remember much of that year.) My resolution this year is to build a garden that can help me heal and make me feel good even on the bad days. I want my boys to have fun in it.

Here is the point, I have nothing to start me out so I am open to ideas. Please tell me a flower or flowers that mean something special to you or that make you happy in some way.You can share why or you dont have to. I did manage to bring seeds with me (some) and I will plant what I have and what I trade for on here. I will also look for some of the plants mentioned here and try to get them too. The people here have been wonderful and I will think of all of you when I am planting my garden.

Those of you with warm weather, send some this way. It was 2 degrees this morning, yes 2 degrees. I have spring fever, but no spring, lol. Lots of snow though. 2 acres people, I need a LOT of ideas. I use driftwood and natural landscaping and am a gypsy gardener (meaning I toss plants left and right and plant them where they land, no rows or order, gardening to me is fun and spiritual, there is enough order in this world, I dont want it in my garden. ;0) *HUGS* to all, especially those that need one.

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Comments (2)

agirlsgirl
16 years ago
Gypsy,how special you are to be so open with us! My favorite Aunt(Great Aunt) died about 20 years ago,we lost her to a combo of breast and lung cancer,the breast cancer started it and the lung cancer finished the job.She loved Daisies her whole life,all sorts of them.But her favorites were the plain old white ones you could find anywhere along side the road! Gramma told me she would cry her eyes out until her dad pulled over so she could pick some when they were small!...lol...To me Daisies represent purity and innocence and when I picture that beautiful blue eyed little soul picking those Daisies,I just smile from ear to ear! I always have Daisies,especially the wild,to remind me of how much a person could love life even in the face of such a terrible illness.My Aunt always kept the little girl in her and was happy until the day she passed,maybe it was all the Daisies!:)
sambal
16 years ago
English Lavender. After my father died, I was very sad and depressed. I had three husky lavender plants, and someone told me that both the aroma of lavender and, lavender tea were very calming. I started making up little pouches of lavender flowers and put them in my pillow case. It really did help lessen the stress and depression. The lavender tea was wonderful! It tastes exactly like lavender smells and both my husband and myself enjoy it to this day. Another friend sent her receipe for lavender chicken. It has a wonderful flavor and has also become a favorite. The aroma of fresh basil really lifts my spirits. I always keep a few plants growing on the windowsill. Last but not least is the very act of gardening. I missed an entire year when I was having chemotherapy. My husband kept the gardens growing, (and is now a dedicated gardener), and would bring in fresh flowers and herbs which really lifted my spirits. I've been cancer free for three years, and have expanded into growing a few houseplants, trying my hand at hybridizing and propagation and am always learning. Tending for these beautiful plants, indoors and out is a healing experience in itself, and I know it has had a beneficial effect on my health, both physically and emotionally. The fact that it is always evolving and adapting, makes it joyfully challenging. Your idea of a healing garden makes so much sense. Good Luck! SAM
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God bless you and your mother, the most fragrant roses I've smelled include: Baronne Prevost' a pink rose. Papa Meilland a red rose, that has a chalice shaped bloom. Mr. Lincoln, another red rose Oklahoma a red-black rose by the way, be sure and plant deep red roses in partial shade so they don't burn and crisp. "Pope John the second" rose is very fragrant, of mixed floral. "Lemon Spice' and Lemon Zest' are very fragrant yellow roses. nearly everybody who sees my rose garden, enjoy the sight of Double Delight' and are even more impressed when they smell it. creamy white centers edged with pink or red depending on the climate. Ebb Tide' for a fragrant purple rose. For historical interest 'The Apothecary Rose' which was used for centuries in Europe to treat both blood and womens' complaints, with its' petals being used for potpourri. I think hortico.com still sells it, under Gallica. Pax and Moonlight for white roses that have a Musk Rose scent, both are very floriferous. hortico.com ships bareroot roses in winter and they sell Moonlight' . helpmefind.com/ under "Plant" and "Search" shows all the above roses. kind thoughts, love, and best wishes for healing, Luxrosa P.S, a scented rose garden with lavender and rosemary, and lemon verbena around it, can uplift the spirits.
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I'm glad you like the pictures. This forum is one of my digital gardens. While I'm at work and want to give my mind a short break, I couldn't look out the windows and see the roses. So, I often look at the rose pictures online and they always have such a calm effect on my mind. I know Sara-Ann will have something new from her garden to show. Thank you Sara-Ann, always look forward to your beautiful pictures ;) There are so many roses showing here that I can't grow them all in my small garden. Then there is Beth with her rare roses and many more. It's more than just the flowers, it's the kindness that we share with each other that makes this forum one of the healing gardens. Thank you everyone :) This post was edited by bayarea-girl on Sun, Oct 26, 14 at 0:57
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