If you’re a green thumb with a travel bug, then you have probably visited luscious gardens on nearly every continent. Not only were the sight, sound, and smells mesmerizing but you probably wished you had a similarly verdant garden back home. Well, travel-themed gardens are not a novel concept, so you too can enjoy a “global Eden” with these 6 inspiring ideas.
Its majesty, the English garden
It is no coincidence that the Palace of Versailles features an English garden, planted in the 18th century. In fact, nearly every garden on the planet borrows something from the plant species and the layout of a typical English garden.
Plants such as the tall foxglove, tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils grow well in most places around the globe. Cultivating an English garden is easy, as the bulbs you plant in fall are sure to blossom next spring. You can use disused wheelbarrows as flowerbeds and moss-covered rocks as ornaments.
Red roses
A staple in an English garden, the red rose is probably the most iconic flower in the world. Enshrined in mysticism, it has been a powerful symbol of love and war, earning its place in your home garden. Once you plant roses all over the yard, your property will be filled with a sweet and potent scent.
Souvenirs as garden ornaments
The usual souvenirs you bring back from your travels include fridge magnets, mugs, pens, snow globes, etc. However, all these souvenirs are either intended for everyday use of indoor display. Add a touch of creativity and you can turn the humblest souvenir into a garden ornament.
The trick is to paint the souvenir to make it waterproof and then display it in the garden. These souvenirs will always remind you of your travels, as you daydream about hitting the road again.
Swimming in luxury
If there is one feature you saw in every garden on the plant, then that’s a water feature. Since water is something that goes hand in hand with a beautiful garden, why not add a fountain, as you already have a garden hose reel attached to the side of the house!
Also Read:
- How to Protect a Fairy Garden from Rain
- 5 Amazing tips to buy perfect outdoor garden furniture
- 3 Great Ways to Use Landscaping Stones in Your Garden
- 8 Astonishing Health Benefits of Gardening
A water feature is important because it mixes the rich scent of flowers with the calming sound of running water. The resulting synesthesia creates the perfect atmosphere to relax all your senses after a strenuous work week. Apart from a fountain, you can build a pond, a bird fountain, and even a splash pad for the kids.
Mexico is more than sombrero and siestas
If you’ve ever traveled to Mexico, then you have noticed that the inner courtyards of rural houses are paved with terracotta tiles. The design goes back to the times of the Roman Empire’s expansion across Europe, so you can replicate it in your garden. Terracotta pathways are much more appealing to the eye than concrete slabs or gravel walkways.
In terms of the flora, Mexico is lauded for its succulents. Cacti, small fruit trees, and bromeliads can be planted in a section of the garden and kept indoors during winter. The ideal backdrop for succulents is a wall painted in warm colors, such as orange, yellow, or red.
Flora and fauna
The reason why a vast majority of plants are colorful is to attract animals to pollinate them. You too should attract fauna to your garden by building feeder for birds, to name one example. Of course, not all animal species are welcome, as pests (rabbits, rats, spider mites, etc.) should be kept far away from the garden.
The pristine wilderness of Japan
Japan is one of the few places on the planet that has streams you can drink water directly from. That is why water has been an essential feature of a Japanese garden for centuries. The typical water feature in Japan is a pond stocked with koi fish. The water inlet cascades into the pond, keeping the water fresh.
Stone is another powerful symbol of a Zen garden. Large stones and boulders tall mountains and hills are found all over the island of Japan. A stream can feature a bend comprised of a boulder and gravel at its base, imitating a real river bend.
Ideally, there should be a small bridge across the streamlet for the ultimate impression of a Japanese garden. At night, the outdoor space should be illuminated using paper or glass lanterns. They are usually ornamented and painted red but you can choose whichever pastel color you like.
There are stunning gardens in nearly every place on the globe and it’s perfectly OK to nip a detail or two from them. In fact, everything you see and love on your travels can make its way into your garden. The 6 inspiring ideas listed above are merely a solid starting point.
