Caladium ‘Berries and Burgundy’ grows enthusiastically in this shady spot.
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Maybe I’m too easily entertained. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for a pretty leaf. We’ve reached the time of the year when I can happily circumambulate the garden admiring the newest, brightest leaves appearing on our Caladiums and other ‘Elephant Ear’ plants and noting how many different flowers may be in bloom.
Now, let’s be honest here: there isn’t a great deal of happiness in our public lives at the moment. We watch every dystopian plot line play out in the daily news, even as we plan how to avoid viral contamination in the mundane acts of collecting our mail, picking up the groceries or taking a walk. I find a good antidote to the general anxiety of our age in ‘garden bathing.‘
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Alocasia ‘Plumbea’ with orbs
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Maybe you’ve heard of ‘Forest Bathing,’ or shinrin-yoku? This Japanese practice of spending time out of doors under the canopy of trees can be brought right home to our own gardens, as we soak in the atmosphere through all of our senses. The Japanese scientists who study these things found greater happiness, well-being, and good health among those who devote some time to soaking in the sights, sounds, scents and sensations of nature.
I’m happy knowing that 40 years of research has proven what gardeners already know: we feel better when we spend time outside in a garden. Curiously, it doesn’t matter so much whether we are in our own garden or a friend’s; a public garden or a park. Time spent under trees and surrounded by plants helps us feel better in measurable ways.
And not just plants, either. Spotting a turtle or a dragonfly feels like a gift. Watching butterflies feed or birds glide around the garden brings its own peaceful contentment.
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Alocasia with Caladiums
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Maybe that is why I awaken each morning with a gardening ‘to do’ list already percolating in my waking thoughts. Whether my list includes tasks at home, at the local botanical garden, or both; I awake with purpose and the intent to invest some early morning time out of doors working in a garden.
Whether I’m pulling weeds, watering, or just monitoring how the plants are growing, I can blissfully disconnect from the day’s narrative of outrage and gloom. Every opening flower and bit of new growth gets counted as a worthy accomplishment.
There are many ways to express compassion for others and ourselves. There are many ways to assist others in experiencing happiness. We each do what we can. I read about an artist who painted a flower for every staff member of a distant hospital, over 1000 in all. His paintings were framed and presented to each person as a ‘thank you’ gesture for their healing and sustaining work.
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There are those who cook and deliver meals or loaves of bread to those in need. Others sew and deliver masks, or check on lonely neighbors. There is a task waiting for every willing heart and hand.
What could be more life-affirming and joy inducing than planting and tending a garden? We need beauty, tranquility and inspiration now in ways we may have not needed them before. They are an antidote to the darker feelings that bubble up in our thoughts each day.
So I reach out to all of my gardening friends and to everyone who nurtures a plot of growing things. Let us continue the work and know that it is good, and purposeful and that our efforts make a positive difference in this crazy world. Let’s sow beauty and reap happiness, for ourselves and for our communities.
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Caladium ‘Splash of Wine’ is new in our garden this year. This is the first leaf opened from the tuber.
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Woodland Gnome 2020
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Caladium ‘Debutante’
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Visit Illuminations, for a daily quotation and a photo of something beautiful.
Many thanks to the wonderful ‘Six on Saturday’ meme sponsored by The Propagator
Forest Garden 