36 Garden Poems
Explore our Garden Poems to inspire fellow gardeners and celebrate nature's beauty!Short Poems & Quotes / Garden Poems
By Catherine Pulsifer - Last updated October 15, 2024
Share these garden poems with members of your garden club or with someone who has a passion for planting. Also, we hope you find inspiration in the verses.
As Abram L. Urban once said, "In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful." We hope you enjoy these garden poems and share them with the gardener in your life!
Table of Contents
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May Time
Poet: Cobb
Sweet is the fragrance in the air,
The cool and laughing breeze;
The gardens now are wondrous fair
With blossoms on the trees.
The hills and valleys now are green
And all the world is gay;
And nestlings carol loud and clear
To welcome you, sweet May. -
Spring Awakening
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
In spring, the garden comes alive,
With buds and blooms that start to thrive.
The tulips rise in colors bright,
A tapestry of pure delight.
The air is filled with sweet perfume,
As blossoms burst in vivid bloom.
New life unfolds in every bed,
Spring's gentle touch on petals spread. -
Autumn's Embrace
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Autumn whispers through the trees,
With leaves that dance on crisp cool breeze.
The garden dons its warmest hues,
In shades of red, gold, and russet views.
Pumpkins dot the fertile ground,
With mums and asters all around.
A season rich with harvest cheer,
As nature paints the closing year. - The poems celebrate the beauty and vibrancy of gardens through the seasons, illustrating the natural cycles of life, growth, and renewal that each season brings.
- Each poem evokes a rich sensory experience, from the sweet fragrances of spring blossoms to the warm hues of autumn leaves, allowing readers to feel the essence of each season’s beauty.
- The poems emphasize our connection to nature, showing how gardens reflect the changing seasons and reminding us of the joy and tranquility found in the natural world around us.
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Fragment
Poet: Lord Alfred Tennyson
Flower in the crannied wall,
I pluck you out of the crannies,
I hold you here, root and all, in my hand,
Little flower - but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is. -
Red Geraniums
by Martha Haskell Clark
Life did not bring me silken gowns,
Nor jewels for my hair,
Nor signs of gabled foreign towns
In distant countries fair,
But I can glimpse, beyond my pane, a green and friendly hill,
And red geraniums aflame upon my window sill.
The brambled cares of everyday,
The tiny humdrum things,
May bind my feet when they would stray,
But still my heart has wings
While red geraniums are bloomed against my window glass,
And low above my green-sweet hill the gypsy wind-clouds pass.
And if my dreamings ne’er come true,
The brightest and the best,
But leave me lone my journey through,
I’ll set my heart at rest,
And thank God for home-sweet things, a green and friendly hill,
And red geraniums aflame upon my window sill. -
The Little White Flower
Poet: Florence Scollard Brown
A little white flower so pure and rare
Once shyly grew by a garden wall.
The Gardener turned from the roses tall
To gather - long He had watched her there -
The happy little white flower.
But softer ever the breezes blew,
And sweeter carols the songsters trilled;
Prayers more earnest the garden filled,
Hearts grew cleaner and lives more true
Because of the little white flower. -
My Sunset Garden
Poet: Althea Randolph
The rainbow hues at eventide
Are flowers in the sky.
Which bud and blossom one by one
Up in my Garden high.
The Violet lifts her modest head
And looks the wide world through.
Then quickly comes the dainty bloom,
Forget-me-not of blue.
Glad Marigold and Roses red.
With emerald leaves about.
Chase Dandelion and Mignonette,
While Clovers pink peep out!
Next Mister Dusk-man wanders forth
With his great cloak of gray
And covers up my pretty flowers,
And hides them all away!
But well I know when night is gone,
And day-time hours fly by,
That once again my flowers bright
Will blossom in the sky! -
Morning Glory Buds
Poet: J. H. Johnston
No folded morning-glory bud
Blooms, closes fast, then blooms again:
Once shaken out, the colors fade,
The beauty's gone for aye, — but then,
New buds will open to the day
When next the early morn awakes;
So, though some bright things pass away,
My heart some hopeful comfort takes.
Our "life hath many mornings," so
Hath said some rarely gifted one;
And morning-glory buds will bloom
With every summer-morning sun. - The poems explore the fleeting nature of beauty, as seen in the life cycles of flowers. For instance, the "Morning Glory Buds" reflect on how while some blooms may fade, new ones will always emerge, symbolizing hope and renewal in life.
- Flowers in these poems often symbolize deeper themes, such as purity, home, and the connection between the divine and the earthly. In Tennyson’s "Fragment," the flower represents a quest for understanding life and existence, while Clark’s "Red Geraniums" highlights the beauty found in simplicity and everyday life.
- The poems express a strong emotional bond between humans and flowers, emphasizing how they bring joy, comfort, and solace. In "The Little White Flower," the simple presence of a flower has a profound impact on hearts and lives, illustrating how nature can inspire personal growth and reflection.
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A Beauty To Behold
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Gardens, a beauty to behold,
Flowers that come from deep in the soil unfold,
The colors of pink, lavender, and yellow,
The beauty has stopped many a fellow.
Peace and serenity are what it brings,
The garden even makes the birds sing.
Walking through the garden in bloom
Can help take away any gloom. -
A Garden Can Be
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
A garden can be a place of peace for me
Watching nature and flowers be
The gentle breeze that blows around
Can be such a gentle sound.
A garden can be a place to work
With weeds attacking in the lurk
While we dig them out of the dirt
The weeds our flowers will not hurt.
A garden can be a place of beauty
Filled with flowers that are so groovy
A tiny seed planted, and then it blooms
The fragrance can soon consume.
The garden - a place for all to enjoy
Even for the little girls and boys.
It is a place to see nature in action
Gardening can be such a passion! -
Plant The Seeds
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Let's plant the seeds they said
So we took the seed and spread.
For there is hope in each little grain,
To bring a harvest we can gain.
The same is true for life today,
What we nurture and cultivate along the way.
Expectations of results arise each day,
It matters what we do and say. -
Making A Garden
Poet: Unknown
Man plows and plants and digs and weeds;
He works with hoe and spade;
God sends the sun and rain and air,
And thus a garden's made.
He must be proud who tills the soil
And turns the heavy sod:
How wonderful a thing to be
In partnership with God. -
What Seeds Are You Planting
by J. R. Miller
We are are not through with our life as we live it.
Every act, every word, every thought, every choice,
Is a seed which we drop.
We go on carelessly, never dreaming
that we shall ever again see our deeds.
Then some day we come upon an ugly plant growing somewhere, and we ask,
"What is this?"
Comes the answer:
"I am one of your plants. You dropped the seed which grew into me."
Our lives are the little garden plants in
Which it is our privilege to drop seeds.
We shall have to eat the fruits of the seeds
Which we are planting these days. -
Beauty And Time
Poet: Austin Dobson
The Rose in the garden slipped her bud,
And she laughed in the pride of her youthful blood.
As she thought of the Gardener standing by -
"He is old - so old! And he soon will die!"
The full Rose waxed in the warm June air,
And she spread, and spread, till her heart lay bare;
And she laughed once more as she heard his tread -
"He is older now. He will soon be dead!"
But the breeze of the morning blew, and found
That the leaves of the blown Rose strewed the ground;
And he came at noon, that Gardener old,
And he raked them softly under the mould.
And I wove the thing to a random rhyme.
For the Rose is Beauty, the Gardener Time. -
The Gentle Gardener
Poet: Edgar A. Guest
I'd like to leave but daffodils to mark my little way,
To leave but tulips red and white behind me as I stray;
I'd like to pass away from earth and feel I'd left behind
But roses and forget-me-nots for all who come to find.
I'd like to sow the barren spots with all the flowers of earth,
To leave a path where those who come should find but gentle mirth;
And when at last I'm called upon to join the heavenly throng
I'd like to feel along my way I'd left no sign of wrong.
And yet the cares are many and the hours of toil are few;
There is not time enough on earth for all I'd like to do;
But, having lived and having toiled, I'd like the world to find
Some little touch of beauty that my soul had left behind. -
Bounty Of Gifts
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Sown in the earth, seeds begin to grow;
No time for doubt, just pause and know,
That satisfaction comes from planting a garden so.
Watching carefully as each seed takes root and grows.
Each day brings new growth and life does spout.
With patience comes reward for hard work no doubt.
Now harvesting vegetables to eat is the treat;
The bounty of these green gifts can’t be beat! - Gardens offer peace and serenity, uplifting spirits and alleviating gloom through their vibrant beauty.
- Gardening symbolizes the importance of being mindful of our actions, highlighting that what we nurture and cultivate has lasting effects on our lives.
- There’s a desire to leave behind beauty in the world, emphasizing how our efforts in gardening can create lasting impressions for future generations.
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Cobwebs
Poet: Patience Strong
I went in the garden this morning at dawn -
And there in the grass on the shimmering lawn -
Were hundreds of cobwebs -
Like fairy nets spread -
Bejewelled with dew -
I was fearful to tread -
For here was a thing that no human had made -
And breathless with wonder, I stood still, afraid -
That beauty so fragile would vanish from sight -
This miracle wrought on my lawn - overnight.
We build great air-monsters with huge steely wings,
We build guns and cities and marvelous things -
And yet could we make overnight, with our hands -
This network of delicate, gossamer strands?
And I think I'm clever to work a design, with needle and silks -
Just to follow the line, marked out by a transfer -
Quite simple and plain...
The spiders must think we are terribly vain. -
The Ramble
Poet: Jones Very
The plants that careless grow shall bloom and bud,
When wilted stands man's nicely tended flower;
E'en on the unsheltered waste, or pool's dark mud,
Spring bells and lilies fit for lady's bower.
Come with me, I will show you where they grow;
The tangled vines and boughs come push aside;
O'er yonder hilltop's craggy side we go,
Then by the path beyond we downward slide.
See, beyond pond where few but travelers pass,
Each lily opens wide its curious cup.
And here where now we track the unmown grass,
The wild-heath bell, surprised is looking up
To view the strangers that thus far have sought
The flowers that in fair Nature's robe are wrought. -
The Child In The Garden
Poet: Henry VanDyke
When to the garden of untroubled thought
I came of late, and saw the open door,
And wished again to enter, and explore
The sweet, wild ways with stainless bloom inwrought,
And bowers of innocence with beauty fraught,
It seemed some purer voice must speak before
I dared to tread that garden loved of yore,
That Eden lost unknown and found unsought.
Then just within the gate I saw a child,-
A stranger-child, yet to my heart most dear;
He held his hands to me, and softly smiled
With eyes that knew no shade of sin or fear:
"Come in," he said, "and play awhile with me;
"I am the little child you used to be." -
Beauty In Humble Places
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
The flowers that have blossomed in the little ugly places -
Arbutus-bloom, hepatica, wake-robin and the rest;
The blossoms that have glorified the dingy little spaces -
Of all the flowers blossoming, to me they seem the best!
The rose that crowns the rose-hedge where there's plenty more of beauty;
The tulip in the border where a world of tulips grow -
All these are faithful servitors that nobly do their duty.
Be mine the flowers blooming where no other beauties show!
Oh, humble little blossoms in the ugly little places,
How much we human garden plants may learn from such as you!
Why spend our time complaining of our dingy little spaces
Instead of doing bravely just the best that we can do? - Nature's Fragility - The beauty of cobwebs with dew encourages appreciation for nature's delicate wonders, reminding us to pause and reflect on simple marvels.
- Wildflower Resilience - Wildflowers blooming in untamed areas highlight that beauty can thrive in unexpected places, urging us to value the raw beauty of the natural world.
- Childlike Innocence - The image of a child in a garden symbolizes a return to innocence and exploration, inviting us to reconnect with our inner child and embrace life’s beauty without fear.
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The Gardener
Poet: Robert Louis Stevenson
The gardener does not love to talk,
He makes me keep the gravel walk;
And when he puts his tools away,
He locks the door and takes the key.
Away behind the currant row
Where no one else but cook may go,
Far in the plots, I see him dig
Old and serious, brown and big.
He digs the flowers, green, red, and blue,
Nor wishes to be spoken to.
He digs the flowers and cuts the hay,
And never seems to want to play.
Silly gardener! summer goes,
And winter comes with pinching toes,
When in the garden bare and brown
You must lay your barrow down.
Well now, and while the summer stays,
To profit by these garden days
O how much wiser you would be
To play at Indian wars with me! -
My Window Ivy
Poet: Mary Mapes Dodge
Over my window the ivy climbs;
Its roots are in homely jars,
But all day long it looks at the sun,
And at night looks out at the stars.
The dust of the room may dim its green,
But I call to the breezy air:
"Come in, come in, good friend of mine!
And make my garden fair."
So the ivy thrives from morn to morn,
Its leaves all turned to the light;
And it gladdens my soul with its tender green,
And teaches me day and night.
What though my lot is in lonely place,
And my spirit behind the bars?
All the long day I may look at the sun,
And at night look out at the stars.
What though the dust of earth would dim?
There's a glorious outer air
That will sweep through my soul if I let it in,
And make it fresh and fair.
Dear God! let me grow from day to day,
Clinging and sunny and bright!
Though planted in shade, thy window is near,
And my leaves may turn to the light. -
A Little Dutch Garden
Poet: Harriet Whitney Dubbin
I passed by a garden, a little Dutch garden,
Where useful and pretty things grew, -
Heart's-ease and tomatoes, and pinks and potatoes,
And lilies and onions and rue.
I saw in that garden, that little Dutch garden,
A chubby Dutch man with a spade,
And a rosy Dutch frau with a shoe like a scow.
And a flaxen-haired little Dutch maid.
There grew in that garden, that little Dutch garden,
Blue Hag (lowers lovely and tall,
And early blush roses, and little pink posies,
But Gretchen was fairer than all.
My heart's in that garden, that little Dutch' garden, -
It tumbled right in as I passed.
Mid wildering mazes of spinach and daisies.
And Gretchen is holding it fast. - The gardener is depicted as serious and focused on his work, contrasting with the carefree spirit of childhood. The poem suggests the value of balancing hard work with enjoyment and play.
- The ivy climbing by the window symbolizes hope and perseverance, thriving in a confined space. It emphasizes the idea that one can still seek beauty and light, even when faced with limitations.
- The little Dutch garden represents a delightful mix of practicality and beauty, highlighting the joy found in simple, everyday life and the deep connection between nature and personal happiness.
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What Is A Garden?
Poet: Reginald Arkell
What is a garden?
Goodness knows!
You've go a garden,
I suppose:
To one it is a piece of ground
For which some gravel must be found.
To some, those seeds that must be sown,
To some a lawn, must be mown.
To some a ton of Cheddar rocks;
To some it means a window box;
To some, who dare not pick a flower-
A man, at eighteen pence an hour.
To some, it is a silly jest
About the latest garden pest;
To some, a haven where they find
Forgetfulness and peace of mind...
What is a garden
Large or small
'Tis just a garden,
After all. -
The Garden
Poet: John Kendrick Bangs
My heart and mind
I daily find
A sort of fertile garden fair,
Where I can play
And work each day
In hope of prizes rich and rare.
I have no doubt
If I weed out
The thorns of malice and untruth,
And plant the seeds
Of helpful deeds,
I'll reap the Rose of Lasting Youth! -
A Garden Fair
by Helen A. Fussell
I will sing you a song
Of a garden fair,
Wherein were sown seeds
That brought blossoms rare.
Love, joy and kindness,
And hearty good cheer,
Were the seeds that were sown
And flowered here.
The garden fair
Was a little child’s mind,
And the seeds were these thoughts,
Just the very best kind. -
A Life Garden
Poet: Mabel Earle
A garden-plot of sunny hours
God gives me when I wake,
And I can make it bright with flowers
All day for his dear sake.
Red roses, if my heart is sweet
With love for all my own;
And heart's-ease springing at my feet
For every kindness shown.
And shining, sunny marigold,
If I am brave and bright;
And lilies, for the thoughts that hold
My heart all pure and white.
Sweet violets, hiding in their leaves,
For truth and modesty;
And balsams if a soul that grieves
Finds comforting in me.
And poppies, if my toil brings rest
To hands grown tired with care;
And always - first and last and best -
Forget-me-nots of prayer. -
A Garden Is
Poet: William Arthur Ward
A garden is a lovely place,
Where seeds burst through the sod,
A garden is a partnership,
Between two hands and God.
A garden is a restful place,
Where gentle breezes blow. . .
A family of growing things,
Where souls can also grow. -
What You Plant
Poet: H. Joseph Chadwick
You've planted love and friendship,
And since you planted those,
Your garden's surely blooming
With lovely memories . . .
And life has been much brighter
For everyone you've known
Because of all the gladness
And happiness you've sown! - The gardener is depicted as serious and focused on his work, contrasting with the carefree spirit of childhood. The poem suggests the value of balancing hard work with enjoyment and play.
- The ivy climbing by the window symbolizes hope and perseverance, thriving in a confined space. It emphasizes the idea that one can still seek beauty and light, even when faced with limitations.
- The little Dutch garden represents a delightful mix of practicality and beauty, highlighting the joy found in simple, everyday life and the deep connection between nature and personal happiness.
-
My Heart Shall By Thy Garden
Poet: Alice Christiana Thompson Meynell
Thy heart shall be thy garden. Come, my own,
Into thy garden; thine be happy hours
Among my fairest thoughts, my tallest flowers,
From root to crowning petal, thine alone.
Thine is the place from where the seeds are sown
Up to the sky enclosed, with all its showers.
But ah, the birds, the birds! Who shall build bowers
To keep these thine? O friend, the birds have flown.
For as these come and go, and quit our pine
To follow the sweet season, or, new-comers,
Sing one song only from our alder-trees.
My heart has thoughts, which, though thine eyes hold mine,
Flit to the silent world and other summers,
With wings that dip beyond the silver seas. -
The Garden Gate
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
A garden gate of wrought iron strong,
Welcomes all with a silent song.
Through this arch, a world unseen,
A sanctuary lush and green.
Its hinges creak, a whispered tale,
Of morning dew and evening gale.
Step through, behold the beauty there,
A secret haven, rich and rare. -
The Stone Path
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
A winding path of cobbled stone,
Guides wandering feet where flowers have grown.
Each step a journey, each stone a guide,
Through fragrant blooms on either side.
Mossy edges, worn with time,
A tranquil way, so pure, sublime.
In sun or rain, it stands the test,
A timeless trail where hearts find rest. - The heart is portrayed as a garden where emotions and thoughts grow, inviting connection and shared experiences. This beauty is fleeting, much like nature, reminding us to cherish the moments we have.
- Gardens serve as sanctuaries, providing a peaceful retreat from the chaos of everyday life. They symbolize a hidden world rich in beauty, where one can find solace and rejuvenation.
- The experience of wandering through gardens is likened to a journey, where each step unveils new wonders. This path encourages introspection and tranquility, emphasizing the restorative power of nature and the importance of taking time to explore and appreciate it.
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In A Garden
Poet: Dorothy Frances Gurney
The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the birds for mirth,
You're nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth. -
Morning in the Garden
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Beneath the dawn's first golden rays, the garden wakes anew,
With petals kissed by morning light, and leaves adorned in dew.
Each bloom a burst of silent song, in nature’s grand debut,
A symphony of colors bright, in shades of every hue. -
Whispering Willows
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
In twilight’s hush, the willows bend, their whispers fill the air,
A dance of shadows, soft and slow, beneath the moon’s calm stare.
The garden breathes a gentle sigh, as night begins to flare,
A haven where the heart finds peace, and dreams are free from care. -
The Garden's Heartbeat
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
The garden's pulse is felt in blooms, each petal's gentle sway,
A living tapestry of life, where time seems far away.
In every bud and blade of grass, the earth’s own hymn does play,
A fleeting glimpse of paradise, in nature's vast array.
Seasonal Garden Poems
Poems celebrating the beauty of gardens through different seasons.Key Reflections in these Seasonal Garden Poems:
Related: Garden Verses
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Flower Poems
Poems that capture the essence and beauty of flowers in gardens.
Key Reflections in these Flower Poems:
Related: Flower Poem
Dandelion Poems
Rose Poems
Poems About Daisies
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Gardening Inspiration Poems
Poems to inspire and motivate gardeners.
Key Reflections in these Gardening Inspiration Poems:
Related: God's Garden Poem
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Nature and Wildlife Poems
Poems that explore the connection between gardens, nature, and wildlife.Key Reflections in these Nature and Wildlife Poems:
Related: Nature Poems
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Children's Garden Poems
Poems about gardens that are perfect for children.
Key Reflections in these Children' Garden Poems:
Related: Poem How Does Your Garden Grow
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Gardener's Reflections
Poems reflecting on the thoughts and experiences of gardeners.
Key Reflections in these Gardener's Reflections poems:
Related: Famous Garden Poems
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Garden Elements Poems
Poems focusing on specific elements found in gardens.
Key Reflections in these Garden Elements Poems:
Related: In My Garden Poem
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Short Garden Poems
Brief and beautiful poems about gardens.
Related: Plant Your Own Garden Poem
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Related:
Funny Garden Poems
Poems about Grass and Lawns
Poems about Beauty
Flower Quotes
Rose Quotes
Poems About Life
Rainbow Quotes
Frequestly Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from our readers.-
Do you have famous garden poems?
You can find famous garden poems on our page, Poems about Gardens by Famous Poets. You will find poets, such as Wilhelmina Stitch, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Louise Driscoll, to name only a few. -
What are some popular themes in garden poems?
Common themes include the changing seasons, the beauty of flowers, the serenity of nature, the life cycle of plants, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. -
Can garden poems be used for special occasions?
Yes, garden poems are often used in weddings, funerals, and other special occasions to evoke a sense of peace and natural beauty. -
How do I write a garden poem?
Start by spending time in a garden or natural setting, observing the details. Use descriptive language to capture the sights, sounds, and smells. Focus on a specific theme or emotion you want to convey. -
How can I use garden poems in my own garden?
You can create garden markers with poetry, include poems in garden journals, or even host poetry readings in your garden to enhance the experience of the space. -
How do garden poems reflect different cultures?
Garden poems can reflect cultural differences in how gardens are perceived and maintained. For instance, Japanese haikus often highlight the simplicity and seasonal beauty of gardens, while Persian poetry might emphasize the lushness and sensory pleasures of garden spaces. -
Can garden poems be used in educational settings?
Absolutely! Garden poems can be used to teach about nature, seasons, and the environment. They can also be used to inspire creative writing and observation skills in students. -
What are some ways to present garden poems?
Garden poems can be presented through oral readings, written displays in the garden, inclusion in garden-themed scrapbooks, or as part of garden tours and events. -
What are some famous quotes from garden poems?
Below find examples of famous quotes from garden poems. You may also find quotes in our collection of Garden Quotes"But, having lived and having toiled, I'd like the world to find
Some little touch of beauty that my soul had left behind."
Edgar A Guest, The Gentle Gardener
"My garden is a pleasant place
Of sun glory and leaf grace."
Louise Driscoll, My Garden Is A Pleasant Place
"And all rare blossoms from every clime
Grew in that garden in perfect prime."
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Sensitive Plant
"For every mile along the road, close to my hand a flower I'll find.
I'll add its beauty to my load - and thank Old Time, the gardener kind."
Wilhelmina Stitch, Along The Way -
Are there any copyright restrictions on these poems?
Yes, all of our poems are copyrighted. However, if you wish to use one of our poems for personal use you have our permission and they are free to use. However, if the poems are for commercial use please contact us for guidelines and permission. -
Can I submit a garden poem to be published:
Yes, see our submission guidelines, how to submit, and the review process on our submit a poem page.
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We hope you have enjoyed these garden poems. Gardening is such a wonderful hobby to have. Those who plant do reap the benefits in more than one way. Digging in the dirt is good for the soul!