Create a zen-filled yard with blooms that inspire mindfulness.

It’s well known that time outdoors improves mental health. Bring that sense of calm into your own backyard by incorporating plants that support mindfulness, meditation and healthy living.

Be inspired by your senses when designing your garden, choosing plants that evoke harmony through smell, sight and sound.

Sense of smell is closely connected to the brain’s emotional response center. Aromatic sages add freshness and serenity to your yard with subtle yet poignant scents. These drought-friendly plants improve mood, relieve stress and are easy to care for.

Soft neutral tones help us relax and quiet an anxious mind. Plant flowers that add comforting colors to your space with blooms in pastel blues, light purples, creamy whites and pale pinks.

Natural sounds promote restoration and well-being. Consider evergreen shrubs or trees that attract birds to enjoy the rustle of leaves and birdsong.

Let nature be your guide when seeking solace and reap the benefits of a perfectly peaceful yard.

Here are our favorite peaceful plants for a restful yard:

• Coastal sage brush (Artemisia californica)*
• Black sage (Salvia mellifera)*
• Blue blossom ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)*
• Chaparral bush mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)*
• Sugar bush (Rhus ovata)*
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

*California native plants

Visit your local nursery for advice on which plants are the best fit for your yard’s conditions — the amount of sunlight your space gets, the type of dirt you have, and how much time you want to dedicate to maintenance are all elements to consider when selecting plants for your backyard landscape.

Have you perfected the art of relaxation in your yard? Send photos of your meditation gardens to yardtopia@IRWD.com and be featured in our Inspiration gallery and social media.