I assume you intend to maintain this place after you build it? Perhaps you could put a Shepherd’s hook and add a lantern with an electric candle. I would suggest since it’s a small space not to make the mural to large or busy as it could be a little overwhelming to the senses. My thoughts are a prayer corner should be serene to allow the soul to take flight. I would think a crucifix would be a must (I have a small one that sits right below my statue of Mary. just a side bit of using fake flowers - I use them a lot in my outside decorating and if you do not overdo it and put lots of nice greenery (I use a lot of quality fake plastic ferns) many think they are real (or so I’ve been told)
I planted a small shade garden to pray in, it only gets dabbled sunlight because it is in between my house and one of my neighbor's house and it is under a very large pine. It tends to feel about 10 degrees cooler there than the rest of my yard which is really nice in the summer. I like the idea of a mural, religious statues and a bench that others here mentioned but I also wonder if you might be able to plant some shade plants or at a minimum some miniature conifers like blue star junipers and mugo pines. I have those in another shady spot in my yard, I got them at Home Depot in November because they sell them for Christmas and they were very inexpensive. [Edited to add: I checked HD and Lowe's, Lowe's has a small size of each of these for just under $10 but I think that they do better in at least partial sun, mine get more sun where I have them planted then they would in the shade garden that I have. Although, I did find an article that stated that Mugo Pines can tolerate more shady spots but not the Blue Star Junipers. I would look for other dwarf conifers that can be planted in the shade and that do well in your area. It can be very helpful to visit a local garden(s) and or nurseries and see what they suggest and what works best.Best wishes.+] In my shade garden, I planted some perennials including Hostas (notice the word Host, I have one of the variety called "Praying Hands"), Coral Bells/Heuchera (the name reminds me of Chorus and Bells at mass, this plant is an evergreen perennial), Bleeding Heart/Dicentra (reminds me of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and finally Astilbe (one of the varieties is called purple candles). I have mulch around them and there is very little to no maintenance that is required as a result. Maybe you can ask your friend who is a gardener if he thinks that these shade plants would work for you. If so, there is a site which I would suggest where you can buy many of these plants at a pretty good price. They will send you a root and you will be pleasantly surprised how well they grow assuming that you live in the right zone for them. The site is called https://www.dutchbulbs.com/ , just select Fall or Spring planting and then shade plants to check them out. You may also find some good deals (50% off) now at local nurseries, if you are in a location that is entering Fall in a month. Best wishes to you on your endeavor.+ Edited to add: I would also like to get some Hellebores which is also known as the Lenten Rose. This discussion just reminded me of this, thank you.
Your shade garden sounds lovely and your suggestions would work. However, the ground is concrete. I have no idea if it would be possible for soil to be brought in at any reasonable depth for anything to survive being planted there. Perhaps.
I thought from the picture that Alonso provided above that there is a patch of dirt alongside a walkway plus he spoke of clearing the space which has become overgrown (I'm assuming with weeds). If that is the case, my suggestions don't require a lot of space and could help brighten up a dreary area especially the miniature conifers and the Coral Bells which are evergreens.
Well, it’s up to him. It looks pretty shallow to me. It looks to me like there is concrete showing through. Just sayin. But it’s all up to him. And the light would be a factor, and the temperature. And the amount of time to spend maintaining it. Is this in Ireland?
It depends how much money is spent. Concrete can always be removed. It takes alot of work and/or money. But it can be done. And after a closer look, that could be flat stone and not concrete. The pathway to the door is concrete which I'm assuming would be kept, but not so sure about what's to the right of it. Also, I think you would need permission to paint on the other building if it is not your own.
Well I thought that too. But I liked your idea about using some artificial flowers. It just seemed to me that some suggestions might be too zealous for the occasion, as you have noted.
Hi guys. Great suggestions and advices. The points about the light and what would and wouldn't grow there are important. At least now i have some ideas at what to look at. I ran the artificial plants idea by my gardener buddy and he didn't take it well. That being said, though, it's early days. I spoke to our priest about the statue and quite fortuitously it appears there's a real nice statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that the parish has, but it's been locked away for twenty years. Might need some weatherproofing from someone with an artistic bent, but sounds just the job. Also, the rosary mural is a splendid idea. Really good call. As HH says, there is some concrete, but i'm whipping that up. It looks a mess and is unnecessary. One suggestion a friend offered today after Mass was some of that artificial grass/astro turf stuff. The land which is very dark and has little light could have some of that laid down perhaps? This week i can probably get that concrete up, as work has me sat at home on the phone. So, as long as i got office phone in the pocket, i could crack on. Thanks again for everyone's advice and kindness. God bless you all.
