The magic of a tiny seed germinating provides gardeners of all ages an indescribable thrill and a sense of pride and accomplishment when these plants grow to produce exquisite flowers, plump tomatoes, or a stately tree.

Gardening is a hobby for all ages, for all the senses, for all seasons. From a few plants on a windowsill to expansive perennial borders, nurturing plants offers young and old alike an opportunity to explore the wonders of nature. Even for homeowners who dread routine outdoor chores, who recoil at the prospect of worms, slugs, bugs and other creatures creeping among the plants and getting dirt under their fingernails, few can deny the irresistible lure of a garden overflowing with beautiful flowers or the delicious flavor of fresh, home-grown fruits and vegetables. An attractively designed and well-maintained landscape has the added benefit of increasing the value of our property. 

The magic of a tiny seed germinating provides gardeners of all ages an indescribable thrill and a sense of pride and accomplishment when these plants grow to produce exquisite flowers, plump tomatoes, or a stately tree. Growing from seed is one of nature’s greatest miracles, sharing many parallels with parenthood; the offspring sprout, grow, mature, and occasionally suffer from ailments, however these children rarely talk back and usually become self-sufficient in a shorter period of time. 

For many of us who work the soil and maintain our own landscapes, gardening is a fabulous way to exercise while enhancing the beauty of our surroundings. Active gardeners are constantly lifting, bending, and stretching while they perform a wide range of tasks: pruning and sawing, digging, raking, and hauling; all these activities tone muscles as we soak in fresh air. Springtime is often a reminder of the physical nature of this hobby as underused muscles ache when outdoor activities resume.
While I doubt that I will ever attempt to paint a picture, working with plant material offers many would-be artists like me an opportunity to dabble with artistic expression. As with any artistic composition, a garden designer must learn to blend and contrast color, form, and texture and with research and practice, attractive and successful container gardens, foundation plantings, perennial gardens, or shrub borders can be achieved. Perhaps no other work of art poses a greater challenge, however, for so many factors that we cannot control influence its outcome. Weather conditions, changing light patterns through the day and the seasons, plant growth, and intermittent bloom periods are just a few of the elements that affect our plants and our perception of our gardens. A garden constantly changes over time and therefore is always a work in progress.
An interest in photography often evolves as an offshoot of growing plants. A spectacular blossom, striking plant combinations, the backlit plumes of ornamental grasses, or dewdrops clinging to the intricate threads of a spider web inspire many devoted gardeners to capture and document these fleeting images observed in our gardens and a new realm of artistic expression unfolds.
A diverse landscape that offers a multi-layered habitat including trees, shrubs, flowers, fall and winter seeds and fruits, and a perpetual water source ultimately becomes a haven for wildlife and a source of entertainment year-round. Multicolored butterflies float from flower to flower, while iridescent hummingbirds hover at dangling blossoms adding a magical touch to the summer garden. The croaking of a frog basking in the sun alongside my little water garden never fails to bring a smile. Through the years more than a hundred species of birds have appeared in my landscape. Watching them at the feeders during the winter months and listening to their spirited springtime melodies as they build their nests and feed their young is one of the most enjoyable pastimes associated with my gardening. Even the presence of bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, possums, and deer, despite their occasional destructive intrusions, are welcome aspects of my wildlife habitat.
In addition to the obvious visual delights a garden provides, a multitude of plants appeal to our senses of touch, smell, hearing, and of course, taste. The aromatic leaves of fresh herbs offer a broad range of scents and add flavor to our culinary dishes, often in conjunction with the incomparable taste of fresh vegetables harvested from our gardens. The soft, velvety leaves of lamb’s ears are irresistible to touch for all ages while the sweet perfumes of roses and lilies that drift through the landscape on warm summer eves beckon us to seek out their fragrant blooms. Ornamental grasses sway in the twilight of the fall season and rustle in the breeze during the winter months.
Perhaps, best of all, a garden serves as a supreme retreat, its solitude a haven where we can escape the hectic pace of everyday life, gather our thoughts, reflect on the past, dream of the future and soak in the beauty of nature.