BLESSINGS IN BLOOM: Hardscapes can provide sanctuaries of peace

By Kerry Peetz

Have you ever found yourself walking in a garden or on a path and happened upon a breathtaking statue of St. Francis of Assisi or a beautiful water fountain busy with birds splashing? It is sometimes in the awe of these moments that a person feels closest to God. He or she might silently thank him for encountering such beauty, or might think, “God sent this sacred message, personally, to me.”

While softscapes (all things living in gardens and landscapes) are what this column is really about, the inclusion of hardscapes  —  man-made features used in landscape architecture — can be very important, too.

A garden could have the healthiest perennials, the greenest lawn, the tallest trees, or the pinkest geraniums, but add a birdbath or a statue and the “wow” factor jumps sky high.

You might consider adding a path, an inviting bench, building a sitting wall, a beautiful birdfeeder or, of course, a grotto. A grotto is a small cave, the kind of place where you feel comfortable, cozy, and protected from the harsh realities of the world. It doesn’t have to be huge; it could be a cut-out in a thicket of bushes.

The sanctuary of Lourdes is one of the most-visited Catholic shrines in the world, with around four million people each year. The grotto of Massabielle, which is the most famous site in the sanctuary, has hundreds of replicas around the world, known as “Lourdes grottos.” I know you must be “googling” it this moment (if you haven’t already been there). I did!

The point is, hardscapes can and do take your landscape to the next level. And they don’t have to empty your pocket book on the way. A simple fire pit, or pavers that provide a walkway will do. Used landscape materials such as bricks and blocks can be found, many times, in our diocesan neighborhoods for free.

If funds are available, we are blessed with local artists and iron workers that create wonderful focal points for our gardens. A statue, trellis, and a one-of-a-kind piece can be an amazing addition to any landscape.

Make it personal. If you enjoy pottery, add a grouping of weatherproof garden pots. Plant favorite flowers in them for the season. If life is hectic and noisy, pick a quite spot outside and place a comfortable chair there to sit a spell. Take in a deep breath and thank God for your blessings.

As Catholics, we are familiar with the holy statues inside our magnificent churches. Some may feel, as I do, close to God, at peace, safe and surrounded by love there. While we can’t be in church every minute of every day, we can have a little piece of that holiness in our own garden, in our grotto, or on a bench, or praying in front of the wooden cross we made for our own backyard.

“Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty that is everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, so that we will never again feel frightened. My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.”

— St. Francis of Assisi