WASHINGTON GARDENER
Franciscan Monastery Gardens The gardens at the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland neigh - borhood of NE Washington, DC, contain beautiful foliage and flowers, in addition to walking paths and various seating areas, that make for a peaceful getaway. The sprawling garden has several spots appropriate for meditation, one of which is the insect and butterfly garden. Located through the portico to the right of the church, this terrace is bordered by pollina- tor-friendly plants. Four benches sit near a rectangular pond that has lily pads and an abundance of koi fish. Watching the orange-, black-, and white-speckled koi fish gracefully swim underneath the shade of the trees is a relaxing experience. If you go to the gardens soon, you might even see a water lily in bloom. Next to the pond area is a path that winds throughout the remain- ing garden on this side. The path will guide you to various religious statues, monuments, and replicas of holy sites. At the end of an off - shoot from the trail, a peace monument with “May Peace Prevail On Earth” written in different languages stands in the center of a small stone circle. The main path will continue downward to a lower level of the garden, shrouded by the branches of large magnolia trees and crape myrtles. This is where the replica of the Grotto of Lourdes is located. Opposite the grotto is a rock-enclosed circle with rose bushes and an- other statue. Several benches facing the grotto sit on either side, offer - ing another place for quiet reflection. Location: 1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017; https:// myfranciscan.org/ Petworth Meditation Garden If you stumbled across the meditation garden in Petworth, you probably wouldn’t think much of it at first glance. The small triangu - lar park, located at Kansas Avenue and Quincy Street NW, opened in June 2018 as the district government’s first meditation garden. It is pretty nondescript, yet there is beauty in simplicity, and the tiny gar- den can be just as useful for meditation as any other. “The Petworth Meditation Garden is an example of how we can transform a small space into a tremendous community amenity,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser in a press release. “We thank the community for working with us to create such a unique and innovative space.” Nestled in a neighborhood of colorful houses and only slightly re- moved from the noise of the streets, the garden is a perfect place for people-watching or to write in a journal. The park features permeable pavement, in addition to block structures and a circular monument for sitting and relaxing. Location: At the intersection of Kansas Avenue, 13th Street and Quincy Street NW, Washington, DC Korean Bell Garden Within Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA, is the Kore - an Bell Garden, an area designed and maintained with Korean tradi - tion in mind. A magnificent gateway borders the garden, showcasing the beau - tiful woodwork also seen in the rest of the landscape. Four Korean totem poles (“jangseung”), which are supposed to ward off evil spirits, and gatekeeper statues called “Dol Hareubangs” can also be found in the garden. Influenced by elements like feng shui and containing several plants native to Korea, the garden’s beauty helps visitors connect with nature and other cultures. The pathway will eventually lead you to a large bell housed underneath the Grand Pavilion, a traditional Korean pavilion that is built without nails. Called the Bell of Peace and Harmony, it symbolizes hope, prosperity, and peace among people of all commu -
nities. With its rich tradition and beauty, the Korean Bell Garden is anoth - er great place to go for quiet meditation, find a connection with nature and other people, or just enjoy a nice day . Location: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182; www.fxva.com/korean-bell-garden/ When we spend time in these special places we allow our souls to connect with those of our loved ones in the beyond. Take some time this season to grieve and heal. Kathy Jentz is editor/publisher of Washington Gardener mag - azine. She is also the host of the popular GardenDC Podcast. Rosie Kean was a former intern with the magazine. Washington Gardener magazine is the gardening publication published specifically for the local metro area — zones 6-7 — Wash - ington DC and its suburbs. The magazine is written entirely by local area gardeners. They have real-world knowledge and practical advice with the same problems you experience. They share their thoughts on what to plant in deep shade, how to cover bare spots, which annuals work best throughout the humid DC summers, and much more.
Labyrinth in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance at the University of Maryland; Photo source: NatureSacred.org
Korean Bell Garden; Photo source: Nicolas Raymond, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
PATHWAYS—Summer 22—65
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