A garden is more than an array of colors and scents. Given a chance, a garden offers relaxation, a place to contemplate and a place to heal.

It is a bridge between our inner world and the outside world. The sight of a garden on the way out, provides a smooth transition as you greet the outside world.

Coming home after a day's work, a garden gives a calming effect, reminding you to leave the cares and woes of the day outside as you enter your inner sanctum.

Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of a rambling country garden. A container garden off the balcony, on the window sill, a small porch or backyard can be just as enjoyable.

What do you imagine your garden should look?

The choice of colors announces the mood of your environment. It reflects the inner person, whether you are vibrant and inspired, traditional and laid back, focused or scatter- brained, quiet, spiritual, calm, passionate or even boring.

Colors can be complementary and in harmony, contrasting or conflicting. Choosing the colors in your garden can at times be a hit-or-miss choice. Don't be discouraged. Plants are forgiving. You can re-arrange the colors to create harmony, provide enough contrast, and when there is conflict, remedy by adding or removing a color.

Solid colors give out a dramatic show in a bigger garden. Most hobby/ornamental gardeners opt for a variety of colors.

A dominance of red does not invite one to sit and relax. This color is too strong. A complementary color can soften the fire of a mass of red. White or silver blends well with this vibrant color.

An all white garden is boring, the energy is stale. Some may feel it is calming, clean and fresh. At night, under a luminous light, white can be attractive. It stands out over all colors under soft lights. It lends itself to a meditative mood.

To brighten it up, add different shades of green or other bright colors. White and silver plants can provide a beautiful contrast mixed with any color.

Yellow is a cheerful color, mostly associated with Spring and late Summer. A pale yellow color does not blend well with white. This combination stifles the energy with its dullness.

Various shapes and foliage of green gives a garden a feeling of tranquility. Adding pots of colored plants can enhance the beauty of the atmosphere. This is a nourishing color.

For that warm and welcoming feeling, orange is the color. It is a rich and happy color. Added to a background of green, orange gives a warm glow.

Purple is an inviting color. It teases you to rest and relax. To project a feeling of calmness, mix purple with whites, pinks or blues.

Need a moment of tranquility, of peace and quiet? Blue offers a sedative effect when mixed with whites and silver or soft pink flowers. Planted around edges and borders, mixed with different colors, it can be most appealing. However, blue by itself gives a gloomy feeling.

To invite love and other romantic notions, go for pink Its warmth draws people to it.

Consider carefully how much time you are willing to devote to your garden and time you have to enjoy it. Gardens need more than good soil and water. Weeds in the garden do not encourage growth. This also translates to stagnant energy in the garden.

A garden overgrown with weeds and with plants that go wild stifle the potential for an appealing garden. Add to this dead flowers, dead leaves and other debris that accumulate throughout the season.

Energy is blocked by clutter. This defeats the purpose of a garden. You want positive energy to flow into your life, into your home. Taking the time to look after your garden will definitely enhance the flow of positive energy all around.

Take time to enjoy the scenery. Plants offer a form of stress release. Go ahead and talk to your plants. Place your hands, palms down, over a pot of flowers, let go of your frustration, take a few deep breathes as you pass your hands over the flowers. Don't forget to thank the plant!

Weeding and dead-heading plants provide a form of exercise, it is grounding too.

Summer is too short- the garden offers a respite from the hurry and scurry of life. It connects us to the beauty of this earth and beyond.