Reflection and Peace Garden

Congratulations to Bartlett's Farm in Nantucket, Massachusetts for their Top Ten entry in the 2007 Perennials Marketing Contest sponsored by Plant Publicity Holland and the Perennial Plant Association.

In the words of Lori Kunz and Hilary Newell of Bartlett's, "For 5 minutes, at 1 p.m. on the 13th of May 2007, women all over the world stood in silence and reflection to save the world. (Visit www.standingwomen.org for the whole story). After attending this simple but powerful event, we were inspired to create a garden space in which reflection and peace were the theme.

Being an area where one could go to find solace and contentment, and where one might spend a good deal of time, we did not feel that ephemeral flowers should be the focus. Instead we opted for perennials that looked good in the garden from the first blush of spring all the way to the last gasps of fall."

Bartlett's dry woodland themed garden focused on low maintenance perennials and loosely adhered to a yellow-white-burgundy-silver color theme. Using an integrated variety of foliage textures and shapes the assortment was comprised of: Achillea x 'Moonshine', Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue', Geranium x 'Stephanie', Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', Galium odoratum, Knautia macedonia, Hosta 'June', Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller', Clematis montana 'Grandiflora', Athyrium forma rubellum, and Osmunda regalis var. spectablis. For winter interest Cupressoscyparis leylandii, Corydalis avallana 'Contorta' Japanese Cryptomaria, and Cytisus scoparius were added.

Placing a bench on which to relax in the middle of the garden and integrating calming statuary - a bubbling fountain, songbirds and a statue of Buddha - tied the whole theme together. In order not to disturb the tranquility of the garden, signage was deliberately placed near, but not right in, the garden.

Lori and Hilary went on to explain, "The perennial garden was located between our farm market and the garden center/shade garden area. As people exited the busy market heading for the garden center, they were drawn right into the Reflection and Peace Garden where we were pleasantly surprised to see them visibly relax. We frequently found customers sitting in the garden having lunch or just enjoying a few moments of quiet before carrying on with their busy days."

This year's Standing Women event will take place internationally on May 11th at 1:00 p.m. local time, wherever you may be.