Dans Papers - May 11, 2007 - Walk The Hedgerow

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is, it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" - Alice

Get ready, get set, and go! This is your life, right? Although it doesn't have to be as confusing as the above quotation from the main and zany character Alice, from Lewis Carrol's novel, Alice in Wonderland, suggests, what if, for just a moment, life could be viewed as a sacred journey into the great unknown, filled with moments of discovery, transformation, growth and movement? Just like the Queen's hedged-labyrinth in Alice in Wonderland and Goblin King's (David Bowie) in the movie Labyrinth, it's time to recognize that we are all on a path of discovery and whether or not you believe in fate, serendipity or that a coincidence is just a mere coincidence, a labyrinth is a model of those paths.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our center and back out again, and has long been used as a form of meditation or a prayer tool. A labyrinth is an archetype with which we can have a direct experience - we can walk it, so why not walk it in our very own backyard garden?

Here is a little more information about why having a garden labyrinth will not only make your garden the very coolest in the neighborhood, but how it will stimulate your right brain - which is choc-full of intuition, creativity and imagery.

Creating a garden labyrinth is not difficult, although it is recommended that you draw an outline on paper to become familiar with the design and patterns you have chosen. Next, decide where to put your labyrinth. The minimal recommended space is at least 25-feet across, but even a narrow rectangular space might suffice. Several materials can be used to build a labyrinth. A turf labyrinth, like the older ones found in England, often consist of mowed turf circles with walking paths of gravel, mulch or other materials. For a different effect, you can mow the path and allow the grass along the sides to grow tall. The circles can be geometrical or free form.

If you start to see people walking in odd patterns on a lawn, do not think they are a lost chapter of Haley Bop comet. They are most likely following stepping-stones laid on the lawn in a labyrinth pattern, don't worry.

The most elaborate, and in my opinion, exciting labyrinth is a montage of traditional hedges. This is arguably the most "East Endish" and "Hamptonesque" type of labyrinth, as it is a tradition to see many houses behind the hedgerow. But do they have a hedge-labyrinth with posts and wire fencing to grow vines? Perhaps not, but depending on the type of vine you grow, specific alterations should be made to each, especially if you want grapes or basic, annual ornamental vine-like sweet peas, beans, morning glories and honeysuckles.

Perennials are generally not used in labyrinths, as most will spread over time and require more space. Tall annuals, including corn and sunflowers, are probably the least expensive and quickest plants to use and can be used to line or separate paths of a labyrinth. Common plants include marigolds, zinnias, impatiens and geraniums. You can get very creative and select a different color flower for each circular path.

Finally, in the center of the labyrinth, consider leaving a quiet grassy area to rest and meditate, perhaps with a bench or seat. Add garden statues, metal figures and spirit stakes in the meditation area or along the path. In your new, funky garden, you will find for the first time, in a long time, that the way in, is the way out.