Series: Yoko Ueno Lewis | Living Notes - Part 7: "Table Gardens: A Personal Project for Greening the Soul"

The Way We Live with “STYLE”
Living Notes: Part 7

“Table Gardens: A Personal Project for Greening Your Spirit”

May’s fresh greenery gives way to the rainy season in June. This time, we’ll discuss a personal project for greening your spirit.──Let’s create a small table garden with simple, easy-to-enjoy green arrangements right on your tabletop. Using just a few coins, why not arrange herbs and flowers picked up at the supermarket to make a miniature table garden? As the hot summer approaches, we may feel the heat even more due to power and energy saving measures. A touch of cool green can be a welcome accent then.

Photos and text by Yoko Ueno Lewis (Mar. 2011)

When your spirit is greened, you can enjoy light and wind even more.

Gathering the tools for creating a garden is a joy in itself. Wire baskets and trays to arrange pots, containers, unglazed terracotta pots, plant markers, and small ornaments and charms. Wrapped in craft paper, they make a natural and chic gift. A grand bouquet of roses is lovely, but even a small bunch of Italian parsley can bring a refreshing breeze.

Project Tip: Natural materials naturally complement nature. Compatible materials include terracotta, clay, galvanized metal, craft paper, cotton tape, wooden or galvanized plant markers (small stakes to write plant names and planting dates), wire baskets, and ornaments and charms made of ceramic or tin.

Try using them as a table centerpiece, or create a garden on your kitchen counter or the cistern lid in your toilet. Avoid direct sunlight and water sparingly but frequently before the soil dries out completely. When the greenery starts to lose its vigor, transplant it to a larger pot. While it doesn’t require extensive care, you can enjoy its rich expression.

This photo shows an idea for a cactus gift package. Reuse wooden boxes, such as paulownia boxes that once held chocolates or sweets, line them with shredded wood fiber, and gently place cacti inside for a gift. Cacti are ideal for gifts as they can tolerate some neglect regarding watering.

Craft paper, especially if one side is coated to resist water, is perfect for gift wrapping. Cut it into a square, place the pot in the center, and wrap it by loosely gathering the paper around it. Tie the top with cotton tape. To highlight the vibrant natural green, a sturdy, natural brown craft paper is best for wrapping.

The unique shape of the craft paper wrapping in the photo is a traditional way of wrapping seeds from Provence, France. I’ve enjoyed arranging it by interleaving glassine paper, adding stamps, or attaching tags. It’s an ideal way to wrap and present small seeds or dried fruits.

If you have time, create a message card. Whether handwritten or printed, choose colors, patterns, and designs that match the natural green.

When your spirit is greened, you can enjoy light and wind even more.