Still Places : A Philosophy and History of Gardens
Across centuries and cultures, gardens have been sanctuaries of beauty, healing, and connection—shaped by spirit, creativity, and place.
This series is intended as an examination of the role of gardens in our lives. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the timeless human impulse to shape nature and on why gardens matter; exploring their role as spaces of reflection, recovery, community, and belonging.
I hope that these short pieces will encourage you to consider your outdoor spaces in a slightly different way and at a deeper level.
Still Places #6 : Returning to the Wild
Where once an ideal garden was all about symmetry, control, and a highly ordered arrangement of plants, many contemporary gardens are welcoming the wild back in.
Still Places #5 : Garden as a Private Sanctuary
We all have a need for moments of private sanctuary; a place of retreat, where we can simply be still.
Still Places #4 : Women in the Garden
Throughout history, women in gardens have cultivated knowledge, resilience, autonomy, authorship, and creative voice.
Still Places #3 : Gardens of Reflection
Reflective gardens are for anyone who feels the pull toward peace, who sees in their garden not just a space outside, but a place that restores their soul.
Still Places #2 : The Garden Through Time
A garden, in different forms, has long been used to answer an ancient need: to feel part of something larger, more enduring, and more beautiful than ourselves.
Still Places #1 : Why Do We Create Gardens?
In a world full of noise we find something in our gardens; somewhere there can be quiet - knowing that beauty can be shaped with care and patience.