Creating sanctuary in the garden with native plants and wildlife

sanctuary |ˈsa ng (k) ch oōˌerē|

Creating a feeling of sanctuary, along with beauty, is the goal of some gardeners.  Sanctuary is that deeper sense of protection and safety we all want from our private gardens, unlike the sweeping openness of experiencing beauty in a national park.  The old English meaning of sanctuary was “that sacred place where a fugitive was immune…from arrest.”  Today we are not so much fleeing from arrest but we seek “to arrest” ourselves in our gardens, that is to slow down and be present with life.  These origins of the word “sanctuary” bring up the other part of creating sanctuary in our gardens, that feeling of being present with holiness or something sacred, and arresting ourselves enough to appreciate it.

One garden designer, Suzinn Weiss, strives for just this with her clients, “creating sanctuary for the homeowner.”  “To me,” she says, “that is the place where you feel you are stepping into another world, and away from the hardscape of life.”

Some people build shelters and outdoor rooms for this purpose, but much can be achieved with plant material.  Suzinn says “I focus on the border of the property, the sidewalk and view of the street, and try to create a sense of enclosure, blocking the view of the street with plants.”  Then the eye becomes distracted from concrete, cars, and the hard realities of life, and starts to focus on the beauty around it.   All of this, she feels, allows a calming to occur within a person, which brings an opening, letting us into our own hearts.

Favoring native plants, and providing a welcoming home for wildlife, Suzinn thinks also contributes to that sense of refuge we all desire in our gardens, and that sense of being in a sacred place that awakens our true nature.  Compelling research is now showing how important to the planet are the choices we make for our suburban yards.  Entomologist and horticulturist Douglas Tallamy, in his new book, Bringing Nature Home, discusses this research and shows how planting native plants sustains wildlife.  Native berries and pollens, for example, sustain the local birds and butterflies, and research shows that sterile or foreign alternatives do not sustain them.  Tallamy brings this issue home.   “It is increasing clear…that much of our wildlife will not be able to survive unless food, shelter, and nest sites can be found in suburban habitats.” (p.g 21).

Bugs are important too, not just birds and butterflies.  A garden rich in color, fragrance, and textures, as well as native plants, attracts insects, and this is important because the birds feed on the insects, as do other small animals.  Renowned ecologist E. O. Wilson has called insects “the little things that run the world” because they are often the link transferring energy from plants to animals.  So, designing with and planting native varieties helps sustain other life on the planet also.   You can support the ecosystem while enjoying the beauty of butterflies, birds, spiders and more.   Organic gardening practices, which Suzinn uses, help protect these creatures too (as well as the animals and people who enjoy the garden.)

No major overhaul in a garden is needed to achieve this.  In the landscapes she designs, Suzinn aims for  at least 25% of the plants to be native, and she is fervent in her desire to rid gardens of all invasive plants.

Her own garden displays the added dimensions that come from bringing native wildlife into a garden.   As one enters the warm, inviting garden gate made by her partner Jeff Hilber, the rich colors and textures of her plants delight the eye and the sound of birds and bees alive and happy surrounds you.  The “aliveness” of her world is palpable, and the richness of it awakens one deeply to that connection we all share with nature.  Suzinn says this brings to mind her favorite saying – “When you see beauty in everyone and everything, your soul is set free.”

Information about Suzinn Weiss’ landscape design practice can be found at www.suzinnweiss.com.  Her phone is 503 281 0447.  Photos of some of her design projects for clients are available on her website.   You can find more photos and client comment on her facebook fan page; Suzinn Weiss Garden & Design.  All photos taken by Suzinn Weiss, during winter 2008 and summer 2009.