When we talk about a sanctuary, we usually mean somewhere we can escape to from the stresses and strains of modern life: a space that is peaceful, quiet and enclosed, containing plants and greenery that soothe the soul.
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There is now solid scientific evidence that green spaces such as gardens can improve our wellbeing and mood, boost our brainpower and promote our physical health too. The good news is that with a few simple changes, you can transform your own garden into just such a place, to ease stress and leave the rest of the world behind for a while.
Create some quiet
One way to create instant calm is to distract from external noise, to make your space as peaceful and quiet as possible. Unless you are lucky enough to have a large country garden, the chances are unwelcome sounds will sometimes penetrate your sanctuary, whether it is noisy neighbours, a barking dog, or the sound of traffic.
If you live beside a busy road, you might want to consider investing in acoustic fence panels, but these are expensive and can be unsightly. Designer Kate Gould suggests dense evergreen hedges as an alternative if you have the space as they are “much more natural in feel”.
Water features can create a gentle effect that helps to break up road noise, although it won’t mask it altogether and these can come with a hefty price tag. Jo Thompson, who is known for her soothing, romantic garden designs, agrees that water features are good to distract and points out that they also have a cooling effect – increasingly important in our changing climate.
Juliet Sargeant, who designed the gardens at The Dreaming, the Welsh retreat founded by singer Charlotte Church, also believes distraction is the most valuable tool we have against unwanted noise. “You’re not going to get rid of the noise, so what you want to do is give people something nicer to think about, and water is really valuable for that,” she says.
But she warns that you must think carefully before installing water features. “Sometimes people are put off by the sound of running water, particularly if it sounds like a cistern.” Her solution is to create a decent volume of water falling from a good height into a depth of pool that gives you a deep splosh.
When it comes to other distracting sounds, she recommends making your garden as wildlife friendly as possible. “To my mind there’s nothing there’s nothing better than the sound of nature, the sound of birdsong and insects buzzing and the rustling of leaves.”
Screen out eyesores
When you are trying to relax outside, the last thing you want to look at is an electricity pylon, telegraph pole or the ugly shed next-door. There are two main approaches when it comes to unsightly objects. The first is to screen them off, and the second is to distract.
Jo Thompson warns against using a trellis panel – “it will scream ‘I’m hiding something’” and adds: “Whatever you do, do not paint a fence black – it creates a black hole and dates.”
Kate Gould suggests: “If you are short on space then bring the interest into the garden with a well-placed planter, plant or even a sculpture. Your eyes will be drawn to these rather than to the eyesore.” If you have the room, she adds that a well-positioned tree or a pleached boundary can also work wonders.
The birch trees at the boundary of this tiny urban garden designed by John Davies help gently screen out overlooking neighbours and make a green focal point.
Holly Johnston, who designed the Bridgerton Garden, one of the Sanctuary Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2024, suggests using hedges within your garden, not just around the boundary. “Opt for deciduous hedges like hornbeam or beech for seasonal interest or choose evergreen yew for year-round formality. Always layer planting in front with a mix of shrubs, perennials, and grasses to soften the look and create a cohesive scheme – you’ll find your eyesore will fade away.”
Making a mindful space
If we want to make our outdoor spaces more conducive to relaxation, a less is more approach works best when it comes to hard landscaping. “Keep it simple and repeat elements to create a sense of cohesion,” says Kate Gould.
Make sure there is plenty of greenery. “Green is the most restful of colours, so try and use as many shades of green in foliage as you can,” she adds. Using large leaves and a variety of different leaf shapes will also help to create the feeling of a tranquil haven.
Go easy on all hard details, is Thompson’s advice – “anything that’s design for design’s sake will distract, and it will also date the garden”. Instead, she recommends appealing to all the senses – fragrance, texture, sound, and colour.
Holly Johnston suggests creating intimate spaces in which to sit. “Gentle enclosure inherently makes us feel a sense of security and peace. You don’t want your space to feel too open or exposed, so create intimate seating nooks with vertical elements like a feature tree or climber-clad pergola.”
Plants to boost wellbeing
Growing scented plants is a simple but effective way to lift the spirits. “A Philadelphus in early June, or roses all through the summer evoke happy childhood memories,” says Kate Gould. Lavender and thyme will boost relaxation, suggests Jo Thompson, while Juliet Sargeant recommends a fragrant Daphne for winter interest and Valeriana officinalis, a pale pink umbellifer with a light, sweet perfume for a more informal summer garden.
‘Edimentals’ – ornamental edible plants such as mint and rosemary - can help us connect with taste and scent through cooking, says Holly Johnston. “For an instant, calming breath, plant highly scented species like star jasmine and sweet box by your doorways,” she adds.
Health and joy through gardening
The physical exercise involved in digging and weeding is good for us and at the same time releases endorphins which have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing, says Juliet Sargeant, who worked as a doctor before leaving medicine to retrain as a garden designer.
“The important thing about gardening is that it’s varied,” she explains. “One minute you’re pricking out tiny seedlings, using your thumb and forefinger with a dextrous precision, and then you’re jamming your foot down on the top of a spade and really using your thigh muscles and moving your knee joints.
“Psychologists talk about this state called flow, where we switch off, that thing keen gardeners experience when you go out before lunch to do a few jobs in the garden and the next thing you’re being called in for dinner in the evening. You just forget your stresses for a few hours.”
Holly Johnston points out that gardens are ever evolving and never truly ‘finished’, and advises focusing on the process and not the outcome. “Create a rhythm everyday taking a walk in your space and observing what has changed. Simple moments like daily watering, pulling weeds or sowing seeds can be a nice way to intentionally unwind. Gardens should ultimately be places for experimentation and joy, so release the pressure of having a ‘perfect’ garden, and enjoy the act of gardening itself.”