Gardening with Gael - Flowers feed the soul

 

Three times a year my sister Heather Ann and I meet with two childhood friends, also sisters. We met the day we began school and have been friends ever since. Now that we are all in our 70s these outings have become very valuable. All four of us have a deep interest in gardens and gardening. Rosie and Barbie’s parents owned an apple orchard in Te Hana during their childhood. Heather Ann has a degree in landscaping and has been a Commissioner for the Environment and me, well, for me a garden is an art form.

Our excursion to the Sculptureum, a garden and sculpture park near Matakana, was the perfect outing for us all early this week. As well as the gardens, sculptures and art, the garden features framed panels with thoughtful explanations and messages. Among these was a message from the Koran [Qu’ran] which read ‘Bread feeds the body… but flowers feed… the soul’. Given the recent events and the overwhelming display of flowers as a mark of respect I thought this an appropriate message for my column.

For the last 12 years two Auckland based lawyers have been creating, and I quote from the Sculptureum website, ‘a space to amuse, inspire and stimulate people’. It does. Palms trees are a major feature and the owners appreciate our native nikau. They have discovered that the deep roots that establish our native palm are able to withstand wind better than some of the exotics, eg. queen palms.

The first section was supposed to take an hour. Rosie and I found ourselves reading all the panels and discussing the ideas at length as we wandered through. One panel particularly resonated. Entitled  ‘WHAT ARE GARDENS AND WHY DO PEOPLE CREATE THEM?’ I would like to share some of the thoughts as once again gardens are a place of peace and inclusion. I quote directly from the panel:
 
Throughout history there have been many different theories concerning the role and function of gardens. The Chinese (and later the Japanese) thought plants were best displayed with rocks and water. In Zen philosophy each rock and plant is understood to have its own spirit. Islamic gardens tend to be walled, rectangular, often divided into four sectors, with elaborate water features and shaped trees planted in formal patterns. The French and Italians preferred symmetrical plantings of low hedges (parterres) with water features and little colour. The English liked asymmetry for their landscaped parks, and wide borders containing many different flowering plants for their flower gardens. There is no universal garden. Each one is different and reflects the purposes and instincts of its creator.

Some gardens were developed for practical reasons. The walls of the Islamic gardens usually provided shade and protection from both the sun and wind, the water feature a respite from the heat of often arid desert environments. The influence of our English forebears is apparent in many early settler gardens. Every culture has something unique to offer but the commonality of a garden as a place of beauty which feeds and rests the soul and reinforces the vital role they play in our world. Green spaces and parks are as important as our private gardens. In every society they are a precious resource that engenders peace.

Gardens at the Sculptureum highlight the commonality of a garden as a place of beauty which feeds and rests the soul. – PHOTO/sculptureum.nz