I want to start a tea garden =) Any tips?

Question

I want to start a tea garden =) Any tips?

Answer 1

You have been given some wonderful suggestions and if you even do one third of what has been suggested, your garden should be lovely.

Although a friend of mine wanted what you are looking to achieve, he didn’t have a name for it.

Aside from wanting to have sculptures, trellises and whatever other man-made items he found pleasing to the eye – he painstakingly researched the planting zone and area in which he had his home and only planted native species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. This would more than likely guarantee success with his plantings, keep the garden down to a bare minimum of maintenance and he brought back a landscape that had been long gone. The end result was spectacular.

Answer 2

Wow! One thing I really love about Yahoo Answers is that it affords me the opportunity to learn new things. On more than one occasion, I've done internet reseach on a topic with which I was totally unfamiliar.

Your question is such an example. I'd never heard of a "tea garden," so I looked it up online. Here is the briefest definition I can provide for other readers like me who did not know what this meant.

According to Wikipedia:

A tea garden was a place to drink tea and stroll around lawns, ponds and view statues.

There is also a Japanese tea garden, and I know this would be completely different from a traditional tea garden. When I hear the term, "tea garden," I think of the Victorian era or the English countryside. I think little English stone cottages are charming, and I can imagine a tea garden on the grounds.

I can't imagine a tea garden without roses, lilies, or maybe both, plus other fragrant, colorful flowers. I envision a trellis with a lovely vine climbing on it. Ivy seems fitting for a tea garden, somehow. And statues - angels or cherubs, or woodland animals such as birds or bunnies. Cats, even!

A birdbath or a gazing ball would be nice. And of course, benches or a little table and chairs for you and your guests to sit and sip your tea.

You'd need some shade, of course, so trees would be lovely. A gazebo might be a nice addition, too.

Since you asked for suggestions to start a tea garden, I'd draw the whole thing out on graph paper, first. I'd begin with some flowers and perennial plants which would provide color and greenery. I would add some containers with a variety of plants and flower. Birdhouses and windchimes would add layering and sensory elements to any garden. Add a small statue or two, maybe some stepping stones. You'll need a place to sit while you enjoy your tea.

Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Plan a beautiful, serene space that will become your "get away" place to meditate and enjoy nature. Let it become your special sanctuary.