We Are A Trinity Too

     

    Humans are COMPLICATED! I could stop right there and not say another word because that sums up what we are as human beings: complicated. Psychology has tried to explain the human mind and how it affects our human behavior. Theory after theory has been presented and diagnosis after diagnosis is attributed. But through all of the study by experts of human beings, the conclusion remains, people are complicated and cannot be put into ONE nice neat package wrapped with a lovely bow.

    After speaking with my daughter and she laughingly admitting, "I'm so much like daddy," I had to agree. But on the other hand, she does so many little things that remind the family of me. All of a sudden it came to me and I said, "You are three people. You are dad, me, and your quirky self. You are a TRINITY."

    It's true. We acknowledge on a biological level that our children possess DNA from the father and the mother. The passed along DNA gives the child certain PHYSICAL characteristics from each parent. We are comfortable acknoledging our sweet little child has their father's ears or feet or our child has their mother's eyes or delicate hands. We look for those passed along similarities often with joy. But then there are those times of frustration or stress when we say with not so happy feelings, "You act just like your father. You act just like your mother." Oh, if you are a parent, sooner or later, it slips out. We also know it is not good for a child's mental health to be told they behave like a parent who has been disappointing, missng, abusive, or any other negative attribute by a parent. 

     But, when I began to think about the THREE-PART-PERSON on a level other than biological, I thought, "If we are created in the image of God and God consists of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, then may we also on another level exist as a TRINITY on another level?"

    Children who have been raised with a single parent, mysteriously enough still have certain BEHAVIOURS of the absent parent even though they were never exposed to those behaviours to mimic or incorporate internally from enviromental exposure. You may notice the child tilts their head in a certain way when they laugh just like the absent parent. The child may hold objects or react to things in the same way as their absent parent and it usually blows the present parent's mind.

    There is an ESSENCE to us we carry from our parent in which glimpses are always peeking through. I don't believe scientists have come to a conclusion saying PERSONALITY traits are passed down from each parent. Scientist have said NURTURE and ENVIROMENT (nature) have the biggest influence on a child's development not exactly knowing which is the most influential at all times in a child's life. But who has looked at the SPIRITUAL part of the transfer children receive from EACH parent?

    In Christianity, it is taught that the body is only a TEMPORARY housing for the spirit. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. In Thessalonians 5:23 it says, "And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your SPIRIT, and SOUL, and BODY be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." Our material bodies are evident, but our souls and spirit are less distinguishable. Thessalonians also shows the TRINITY within us in that particular verse.

    Each day, if what I am now coming to believe is true, then we each walk around EVERYDAY with the SPIRIT or essence TRANSFER from each of our parents along with our own individual SPIRIT or essence. That is MINDBLOWING isn't it? I have come to advocate for dating people to be knowledgeable of the people you may PROCREATE with. RIGHT? We are doing some serious transfers with each others and to our children. 

     I want to also say we need to nurture those transfers were receive from each of our parents present or absent. A person is NOT ALL BAD OR ALL GOOD. Parents should recognize those little quirks and if there is a comment; make it a positive one. If correction is needed; be gentle and positive too. But, I do wonder, "How much of the TRINITY can be changed and manipulated by us mere mortals?" We didn't put it there so can we change it?

    Anyway, I just found it awesome to discover we are created in the image of our Creator in such a dynamic way. We are a TRINITY also in so many ways.

This post dedicated to my beautiful daughter, Desarea.

     

    

Are You Woke Yet?

 

    Being 'WOKE' has become a red meat word in politics. It connotates having ideas, opinions, views, perspective, ideology, that goes against historically accepted American understandings of history and the American way of life. To be 'Woke' may cause you to be ridiculed.

    By definintion, WOKE is the past tense of WAKE. The definition of wake is to emerge or cause to emerge from a state of sleep; stop sleeping. Simple definition right? It is also a noun: a watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died, sometimes accompanied by ritual observances including eating and drinking. So, people who are now WOKE or accused of being woke, are emerging from a state of sleep or holding vigil over something that has died. Why is this a bad thing?

    While sitting on my porch this rainy day, my thoughts went to the future. The future of my garden. Several plants have emerged from the ground this April, but not all of them have shown their faces and I'm wondering; are they dead or if they just haven't WOKE up yet? Am I rushing the Spring time window in which the Earth awakens? I thought how long does the 'awakening' process take?

    Of course, if you know me, I related the awakening Earth to humans. Do we and should we have an awakening? Is it a natural course of life to be, in some form or fashion, reborn, renewed, awakened into a new season of what is old and expected and yet filled with the new. 

    Many plants in the garden return each year bigger and better. These same reliable plants, at times, need to be divided because they have grown too big for the space. The divisions can be replanted in another spot in the garden to grow big and strong, or shared with friends, or thrown away because it's time in the garden is over and another space for it can't be found. Some plants, like my favored rose, needs pruning before the Spring season. Pruning keeps the rose from having weak stems, unwanted stems going in the wrong direction, and encourages more and larger blooms. The thing the gardener knows is, the plants in the garden are always changing.

    Some people also want to emerge 'differently' come Spring. Dieting and exercising is at a fever pitch trying to get the body beautiful for the following season. People 'decide' to get into shape, workout, get a new hairstyle, buy a new wardrobe, find romance, or something to make life better. They realized (woke to the opinion, fact), the body or look they had/have is not expressing who they REALLY are or hope to be. Maybe the mind seeks this also; rebirth, renewing. Seeing something OLD in a NEW way even though it is still the same thing. If I dieted (not likely), exercised (are you kidding?), changed my hairstyle (yeah, right lol), I would still be Dorothy. I would still be Dorothy, with a healthier, body you now see in a new light which may lead to you wanting to get to know me better (Heeyyyy. I'm not mad at you about it).

    In the garden world being WOKE is not a BAD thing. Why is being WOKE a bad thing in the human arena? A feeling of destruction is attatched to the Woke Culture.

    Woke Culture is defined as: an adjective derived from African American Venacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination." Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as sexism, and has also been used as shorthand for American Left ideas involving identity politics and social justice, such as the notion of white priveledge and slavery reparations for African Americans. Boo! Sounds scary huh? Racism. discrimination, sexism are the WEEDS of the garden. Funny though, many gardeners like the blooms of many weeds. To them, no plant is a weed. AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

    But, the truth is, history has already recorded the American experience. It is available for all to research and know. But now, HISTORY is emerging bigger and bolder being seen in a new light. Some of history is weak and sprawling, occupying valuable space that can be used by something healthier. Some of history has grown bigger needing to leave it's confines and to be replanted to grow once more bigger and better, or shared with others to enjoy, and yes, even thrown away because it's time is over, there is no space for it's use. All of this is a PATTERN of existence. We, just as plants, must WAKE up and be WOKE.

    What is painful now in the process of waking up, is a beautiful and natural process experienced in nature. As humans, we hold ourselves above every created thing. Our mind refuse to grasps the concepts that we too are part of a universal pattern. We accept life and death, but AWAKENING, is threatening to us as HISTORY demonstrates from prior awakenings experienced. 

    So to be WOKE is an insult, but what is it to NOT be AWAKE? As I said earlier, maybe I'm rushing Spring. It's only April and the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." Maybe I don't even know how long or even when the WOKE process in the garden actually begins or ends. But what I do know is, I don't begin it or end it. It has it's own rhythm defined as a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. Awakenings REPEAT in nature and I strongly believe in humans. 

    Another thing about gardens is that the gardener is on the edge of their seat everyday waiting for the plants to wake up and show their true color and form while being woke. They never rail against what  the woke garden may bring. they are ready and waiting for it. They enjoy the newness that comes along WITH the old. Sure, there is an amount of adaptation that occurs in tthe garden, but even that is part of the gardeners journey where learning from experiences abound.

    Woke Culture may be something people recoil from for their own various reasons, but history documents the set in stone human experience is and always will be, times when people WOKE up, 

Life Began In A Garden?

 

    There are two held explainations for the creation of the universe. One is the Big Bang Theory where there was a big explosion in the cosmos and atomic particles collided, stuck together, and began to form the smallest makeup of other planets, stars, astrological matter, and living matter which gradually, through time, evolved from plant life, aquatic life, animal life, and finally human life. 

    The second explaination for the formation of the universe lies in religion. In Christianity, it is believed God created everything the eye can view within seven days. Other religions have their own particular creation story with their own various gods, but it does not entail a 'big bang' as the first theory of creation does.

    For this post and as far as the theory I chose to believe, I go with the Christian biblical account in which God created the universe and all that is in it. This writing is not to persuade you in one direction or the next but to talk about the PLACE in which human life was placed to dwell according to Genisis 2: 8-9, "Now the Lord God HAD planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he HAD formed. and the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were PLEASING to the eye and GOOD for food..." It is from here the story of MAN BEGINS and continues even now. Earlier in Genesis 1:11, on day three of the Creation story it says, "Let the land produce vegegation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds," In Genesis two it says no SHRUB of the FIELD nor PLANT of the FEILD had yet appeared before he created man to put in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:5-7), but Genesis 1 says there WAS vegetation and trees, and once the first man was created, notice the tress were called pleasing to the eye and good for food.

    I had the wonderful opportunity to be with New Jerusalem Church for Children's Garden Day in which we encouraged the children to sow seeds. Of course this day had duel meaning. It was a day set aside to encourage children to enjoy gardening and nature and to also be mindful of the seeds they sow in their lives and to be a seed planter for the kingdom of God. I guess that was three purposes lol.

    The message I wanted to impart to them and to you the reader is (If you are of the biblical Creation story persausion) is: life BEGAN in a beautiful garden. It was intended for us to be surrounded by beauty and that defined beauty was PLANTS. To some, this may be an arbitrary coincidence that life began in a garden. But is it really?

    There are many benefits plants and gardening affords the human body and mind. Author Gretchen Rubin, penned a book, Life in Five Senses, where she said to have a happy life, live it through the five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. She said we should use our five senses, tuning into the physical world and living in the present. A garden allows you to do just that on top of releiving stress and elevating mood. 

HEARING: Listening to music during exercise boosts performance and makes exertion seem less strenuous. Music improves our health, and it also makes us feel good. There’s a reason why we talk about “sex, drugs, and rock & roll.” Hearing a favorite song stimulates the same brain chemicals as drugs, sex, and good food. That’s why it’s one of the quickest ways to get a mood boost and relief from stress. Nature has its own UNIQUE MUSIC. The birds, crickets, frogs, bees, wind, and rain, SING a song waiting for your ears to hear. Water features in a garden mimics the soothing bubbling sound of a brook and relaxes the quiet listener. Studies show people who listened to nature sounds like crickets chirping and waves crashing performed better on demanding cognitive tests than those who listened to urban sounds like traffic and the clatter of a busy café.  

SMELL: By taking a quick sniff of fresh grapefruit or vanilla, your mood can be drastically changed. The smell of flowers or even herbs can be an uplifting experience. Certain floral scents are pretty famous for relieving headaches and insomnia. Jasmine, similar to lavender, is used to calm the nerves of those that are stressed out or overwhelmed. Not only does it reduce those feelings of stress, but it actually is able to stimulate feelings of positivity and energy. Peppermint is a great tool to be used during brainstorming, as it has been shown to invigorate the mind, while creating a feeling of clarity. Lavender is quite known for boosting energy and increasing mental activities. The aroma of rosemary is highly stimulating and can boost your levels of acetylcholine (a chemical that regulates your muscles and memory) and dopamine. Magnolia is especially popular in Chinese medicine as an effective treatment for tensions and stress. Roses are a famous symbol of love but also because they can lower your stress hormone, adrenaline. 

TOUCH: If we want to combat stress and distraction, we can turn to our sense of touch. Little kids, for example, hang on to stuffed animals for comfort and reassurance. It is a pure joy for me to walk on the cool grass barefoot. It just feels luxurious, sensuous, and calming. I also enjoy feeling the velvety smoothness of rose petals. Picking a firm ripened piece or fruit or vegatble I've grown myself fills me with pride and a sense of accomplishment. Just slowing down, reaching out, and touching nature yeilds surprising feelings. Even the simple act of holding a flower makes you feel better.

TASTE: When it comes to taste, many people love taste-related activities such as cooking, exploring farmers’ markets, trying new restaurants, or even watching TV shows about cooking and eating. What better way to explore food than to plant and grow your own? Plant and grow something you may have written off as NASTY. Maybe if you plant and nurture it to maturity, find a new way to cook it, invite friends or family over for a tasting party, you may find you now love it. Either way, let your tastebuds roam free and enjoy socializing and stregnthing relationships bonds at the same time. A plus plus endeavour. Taste also hold memories of  food favorites from childhood, a celebratory meal from a major event in your life, romantic meals once shared, or meals cooked and eaten at grandma's house. 

SIGHT: Have you ever heard the saying, "The eyes are the window to the soul?" This saying means you can see a person's soul by looking into their eyes. I say, "What you look at with your eyes affect your soul." Matthew 6:22, " The light of the body is the eye;" This Bible verse says what you focus your eye on affects you. It encourages you to focus on things that are right to avoid darkness within. What we focus our EYE ON IS IMPORTANT. How wonderful to give the eye a break from the ugliness of life and to look upon the beauty of a flower or plant.

    From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, PhD, and his student Kathryn Schertz explored in a 2019 review and reported, for instance, that green spaces near schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control behaviors. Experiments have found that being exposed to natural environments improves working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control. No wonder man was created and placed in a garden. Just a few moments of green can perk up a tired brain.

     Contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress. Gardens and gardening impacts children. Children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of many psychiatric disorders later in life, including depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance use disorder. For those with the lowest levels of green space exposure during childhood, the risk of developing mental illness was 55% higher than for those who grew up with abundant green space. 

    As I stated in the beginning of this writing, this writing is not about religious beliefs but about my belief that GARDENING matters to LIFE. Hopefully I have convinced you that you were meant to be surrounded by the beauty of nature; planted and enjoyed by you everyday. The benefits are limitless and sharable. Getting this generation connected again with the understanding "Life BEGINS in a garden," is a mission I fully embrace. Thanks to the little gardeners of New Jerusalem church for being a participant in my blog sharing their images.

 

Can't Choose A Favorite Child? Choose A Favorite Plant

     

    One thing that is universally known almost without being said is, "Don't ask parents if they have a favorite child." The children may go back and forth in jest about being the favorite child, but parent's mouths are sealed when it comes to answering this question. They have become diplomatic, politician like when they do give a response to this question, "I love all of my children equally. There is not a favorite one. They are all my favorite."

    When you ask a gardener, "What is your favorite plant?" Most are ready and willing to tell you which plant they favor and why. But, you do run into the gardener who will say, "It's hard to decided. I love them all."   

    Just as with our children, flowers have their OUTSTANDING points and their TERRIBLE drawbacks. Take the rose for example, and yes, I chose it first because it is my favorite flower/plant. Roses have a wide range of colors, diferent types of flower petals, different fragrances, and different growth habits. They are a real show stopper when in bloom. It is hard for anyone to pass a rose without stopping to smell it or admire it. But we all know the number one drawback of roses: the THORNS.

    I can't tell you the countless times I have been ashamed handing a cashier money at a grocery store or department store when I extended my scratched hand, wrist, and arm. Sometimes I look as though I have been in a cat fight after planting, weeding, or pruning my roses. I almost feel an uncontrollable urge to explain all of the scratches I have acquired, but instead, I just kind of tuck my head and quickly exit. All rose growers look like they own a cat whether they do or don't. I don't. 

    Then of course the rose bush is susceptable to insect infestation and diseases. Aphids and blackspot are the rose gardener's nightmare. Careful watch has to be maintained to nip the problem in the bud early. So even the most precious beloved beautiful flower/plant, has reasons for it not to be loved. And there ARE many gardeners who just don't want this problem child.

    Another plant which people buy in mass is the petunia. Now I LIKE petunias but I don't love them. Settle down petunia lovers. I mean no harm. Why, you may ask? Because they require water daily, and sometimes several waterings when the weather becomes really hot in the summer. If you want continuous blooms, then deadheading is required. Deadheading is when you cut off the part where a blossom had died allowing for new buds and blooms to form. In spring and early summer you will see me humming around my plants deadheading with happiness. But soon as the thermomenter hits 90, I'm out of there leaving my plant to become scraggly and with fewer blooms.

    Dahlias are a winner. When I see this stately flower/plant in people's gardens I always wish I had planted some or more. They can grow over 5 feet tall and have flowers as big as your hand. The variety is limitless and the colors you can select are immense. But, they are tubers and have to be dug up each fall in Northern states because they cannot survive the winter's cold and freezing temperatures. Because of their height, they require staking so they will not fall over. I AIN'T GOT TIME FOR THAT! But, boy are they worth taking the time to stake.

Dahlias have other drawbacks such as stem rot (stems rot when dahlias are growing in heavy, poorly drained, wet soil), mosaic virus (drarfs plants and distorts leaves. You must destroy the plant because there is no cure), and botrytis ( covers the plant with powdery gray mold). Pests include aphids, thrips, mites, and leafhoppers. Insects enjoy the plant as much as the gardener does or more so. Slugs, snails, and cutworms enjoy feasting on this plant too.

    Some gardeners even get offended if you suggest you can't stand their favorite plant. They go into defense and protection mode in the same way as when defending their child. 

    While it is considered HORRIBLE for a parent to say they have a favorite child, it is okay and excepted that a gardener would have a faovrite flower/plant. Through the years they may switch from one plant to the next as a favorite. This is actually, in my proffessional view and experience, how the many and various garden beds are created in a garden.

    A gardener will CREATE a completely new bed with the right conditions for a plant they have fallen in love with. Adding the right soil, adding irrigation where there was no naturally occurring water, planting trees to create a shade area, or removing trees to create a sun baked location for sun loving plants. Nothing is too much or to difficult to achieve for our little darlings. We are willing to spoil and pamper them.

    What a minute! I almost forgot the fun part of gardening. If a plant you love is just misbehaving, can't be satisfied no matter what you do. Has been moved to different locations in the garden in an effort to get it to thrive and just won't live up to your expectations - you can THROW IT AWAY. Yeah!!

    You can't throw children away if they don't please you. You have to keep them and do the best you can and still love them. I know there is no one reading this that wishes they could just get rid of a less than perfect child, right?

    Having a favorite flower/plant, flaws and all is fun, but don't shut out maybe experiencing a new and different type of flower/plant. I read all of the time gardeners saying they were intimidated by my fave, the rose, until they planted their first one and realized how wondeful and beautiful they are. They were surprised that they could keep them alive easier than they had believed. Never say NEVER to a flower/plant. Don't get upset if your favorite isn't someone elses favorite. Just like our children have individual qualities that make us love them dearly, so do plants.

    I would love to know which flower/plant is your favorite and why. Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page: Black People Garden Too in Mississippi (9) Black People Garden Too in Mississippi | Facebook as always follow me here and on Facebook. Twiiter Dorothy Guyton (@ndefenseofwomen) / Twitter Instagram Dorothy Guyton (@gift_of_god_2) | Instagram 

Cultural Differences in Gardening. Who Knew?

 

    There are many types of gardeners, therefore you will see many different garden designs. Some people enjoy structure in their garden while others prefer a wild flower type of look. Expressionist gardeners put emotion and creative thought into their gardens and feel rewarded for their efforts. They are peerpetually changing their gardens - adding new plants, reworking beds, and changing flowers and vegatables with the seasons. Neither garden is WRONG. Just DIFFERENT.

    There have been studies done on whether there is a cultural difference when it comes to people's PREFERNCE in garden style and the answer is, YES, there is a noticeable difference in gardens when you look at their culture, or even ethnicity. Asian people prefer a certain style, Europeans prefer a certain style, Spanish prefer a certain style, and until recently, African Americans were not known or noticed to have a certain gardening style, but they do. All of this rich history gave rise, in part, to me creating my Facebook page: Black Peoople garden Too in Mississippi (13) Black People Garden Too in Mississippi | Facebook. To read a more indepth analysis about Black gardens and gardeners go to African-American Garden Culture: A Study of Tradition and Translation (lsu.edu). 

    It has been noticed in older gardens of Black People in rural Southern regions of America, "experienced objects" are used in their gardens. In Black People's gardens marigolds bloom in butter kits, geraniums glow in punctured dishpans, or in old objects used for washing or cooking, but nothing went to waste. You may see old water troughs, chicken feeders, washing machine tubs, old barbeque grills, and tires; throw-aways from society used for ornamentation. Miscellaneous items awaiting reuse were not trash.  There are flowers planted without a plan but cherfully blooming from their helter skelter places (Westmacott's study, Alomar and Brown). Many believe the new gardening style of repurposing items for the garden originated from this style of gardening of Black people in the rural South.

    You may also notice old rambling roses in these landscapes. In the post-Cival War era, there were formally enslaved Blacks who returned to the gardens they worked so hard to create. They went back to the burned down Antebellum homes and saved the heirloom plants (plants passed down from person to person. Many without names). They saved the aristocrats gardens. Even though their being enslaved did not hold fond memories, the plants they loved and nurtured while being enslaved did.

    We never stopped to notice the flowers tucked in every containers, or "no longer usuable for original purpose' now containing a flower, but this has always been a part of the Black garden landscape. Having a cultural style of gardening is not a bad thing. Gardens are a personal expression each gardener chooses. People my have a certain heritage and choose to have another culturally linked garden for their home. Here are a few cultural garden styles you may recognize as a favorite of your own.

 English/Cottage Garden Style: Blossoming in popularity during the Elizabethan era (1558–1603), English or Cottage gardens are marked by a tangle of informal, free-flowing ornamental and edible plants. Think charming plots of land brimming with rambling rose bushes, overgrown grasses and mixtures of flowery shrubs spilling out over stone paths. These gardens can include arbors, arches, fences and trellises.  These structures are designed to not only go well with the garden but also the house and overall theme as well. To achieve this look:

• Plant informally, creating a random effect that looks natural.
• Choose traditional plants such as Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle), lavender, roses, and geraniums.
• Add in edibles like apples, pears and pitless produce like strawberries or black currants.
• Minimize maintenance by selecting plants that aren’t susceptible to pests and disease.

Japanese Garden Style: this garden is exotic, with Zen-like minimalism. It is considered an art form dating back thousands of years. A Japanese garden should be graceful, well-balanced, and subtle. Water features are heavily used, such as a fountain, pond, water bowl or awaterfall, The use of rocks and boulders also help to create the atmosphere that you’re looking for. Plants used to achieve this look include:

• Bamboo
• Azalea
• Lilyturf
• Burning Bush
• Japanese Maple
• Magnolia trees

Italian Renaissance Garden Style: Inspired by the elegant grounds of ancient Rome and Greece, Italian Renaissance gardens conjure images of medieval villas with manicured landscapes, grand fountains and effigies of mythical deities carved from marble. Beauty, symmetry, and order are key elements of this garden style. To bring a bit of Italy to your backyard:

• Spread pea gravel on the ground
• Put out a cafe-style table andchairs
• Plant low box hedges to create boundaries
• Line stairways, terraces, or paths with small trees or topiaries in terra-cotta pots
• Add water features.

Dutch Garden Style: The Netherlands is flat, and therefore so are Dutch gardens. Effective use of limited space often plays a key role. Techniques, such as pruning and guiding trees add interest to the gardens. Much attention is paid to wildflowers and the existing biodiversity already in existence in the area. To emulate the country’s distinctive gardening style:

• Add geometric shapes to the landscape with hedges.
• Take advantage of straight lines by hemming concrete walkways with topiaries or miniature trees. This gives the space a formal feel.
• Include modern furniture and water features like a reflecting pool and trickling fountain.

French Provencal Garden Style: The French Provencal Garden is distinguished by bucolic elegance. Ideally a French garden will be clean, elegant, and sophisticated. To achieve a French-style garden, use a lot of green and white within the space.

Moroccan Garden Style: A fusion of Moorish, Islamic, and French design influences lush, serene Moroccan gardens. Think bold colors, glazed patterned tile, textured baskets, and cushy poufs. Typically built within interior courtyards, Moroccan garden style is all about outdoor living. Moroccan garden design lends itself to incorporating a hybrid of a desert and tropical theme within the space. You should incorporate:

• Hardscape features, which could include seating walls
• Fire pits
• Archways
• Raised planters.

Chinese Garden Style: For 3,000 years, Chinese emperors, kings, nobility, and scholars loved their gardens. Traditional Chinese gardens reconstruct scaled-down versions of the larger landscape. Chinese gardens incorporate some of the same plantings and hardscape as Japanese gardens. The overall feel instills a sense of peace and tranquility. Chinese gardens typically contain:

• Ornate pavilion
• Other smaller structures
• Winding paths that link to intimate, quiet, peaceful settings for contemplation and meditation.

Spanish Garden Style: Taking cues from Roman, Persian and Moorish design concepts, Spanish gardens combine Bougainvillea, begonias, cactus, andfruit trees (figs and citrus). Most are enclosed within walls or courtyards. Other elements to include:

• Terra-cotta pots
• Decorative water features
• Built-in grill islands
• Brick fireplace
• Low-voltage light fixtures.

Alpine Garden Style: Influenced heavily by nature, Alpine garden style features high-altitude horticulture interspersed with large boulders, cobbled paths, gravel beds, waterfalls and naturalrock retaining walls. Sprinkle in randomly placed vegetation and wildflowers in nooks and crannies. Create the alpine vibe by planting:

• Blackcurrants
• Gooseberries
• Raspberries
• Groundcovers of primula or creeping thyme, scattered about for a natural look.

Whatever your culture or ethnicity, gardening allows you to express who you are. To be free to create in any way you would like. It's all about you. Happy gardening to you all.

As always you can follow me on Facebook:(13) Black People Garden Too in Mississippi | Facebook

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I am available locally to give garden presentation to your church, garden club, libray. Contact me here, or on facebook to schedule presentation date.

material for this post referneces: 9 Garden Styles From Around the World To Inspire You, by Toni DeBella Updated: Mar. 14,2023, and Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country's Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers, Abra Lee, Dr. H. Hamilton Williams