Garden sanctuary

The concept of the Garden Sanctuary follows on from the popular understanding of a therapeutic "Secret Garden" first imagined by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

A Secret Garden, or Garden Sanctuary,

may be

• the power of a private garden to heal therapeutically, first popularized by The Secret Garden, the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• the practice of Horticultural therapy: 'Gardening makes us feel renewed inside'
• a Therapeutic Garden created as a cure for disease such as:
  • Gardening therapy helps children grow 19 Mar 2012
  • The Michelin-starred chef who is gardening to fight cancer 30 Nov 0002
  • Gardening Against the Odds 2013: Butterfly Garden scoops top award 17 Nov 2013
  • Gardening Against the Odds: Overcoming depression with a love of gardening 21 Aug 2012

• Overlying these healing uses is the use of the term My Secret Garden by Nancy Friday in 1973 to open up women's sexual fantasies.

Use a "Secret" Garden

In popular culture, a Secret Garden is a small private space where you may experience tranquility, beauty and healing.

• "We all could use a special place in a garden where we can relax, read a book, enjoy a cup of coffee or simply listen to the birds.
• This Secret place can be "a retreat we share with others or use for private contemplation."

For example, the Blue Mountains Secret Garden Cottage advertises a private garden room where you can "nestle in amongst the plants , relax and breathe in the clean fresh air". In Sydney, Australia the very successful firm "Secret Gardens" argues that "everybody needs a secret hideaway" and will design and construct such a place for your custom.

Construct a Secret Garden

To convert an existing favourite garden feature into a secret place, you need a garden seat, an over-arching pergola or gazebo, or a planted screen of tall plants and a water feature which brings added tranquility.

Public "Secret Gardens" in Sydney

"Here is a list of Sydney's best secluded gardens!

1. The best-known example is "Wendy's Secret Garden" established by Wendy Whitely on the shores of Sydney's Lavender Bay.

   Other Secret Gardens in Sydney are:

2. The Arthur McElhone Reserve, a tranquil garden of Elizabeth Bay House
3. The Lisgar Gardens of Hornsby
4. The Paddington Reservoir Gardens opposite the old Paddington Town Hall
5. The Swain Garden at Killara