Music Inspired by the Garden
Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself spending a little more time in the garden. I've been adding a few new deer-resistant perennials, including colourful yarrow, echinacea, and lavender. Gardening has a gentle rhythm that's surprisingly similar to making music. Both invite us to slow down, notice the small details, and appreciate beauty that unfolds a little at a time.
Flowers, gardens, and the changing seasons have inspired many of my harp compositions over the years. Some pieces celebrate a favourite flower, others were inspired by a special place here in Nova Scotia, while a few simply capture the feeling of wandering through a peaceful garden on a warm summer morning.
I hope you'll enjoy this musical walk through the garden. Along the way you'll discover cheerful spring flowers, fragrant summer blooms, playful butterflies, and colourful countryside landscapes. Whether you're looking for new repertoire or simply a few moments of musical inspiration, I invite you to come along.
1. Daffodils
Daffodils is a joyful original inspired by one of the first cheerful flowers to appear in spring. I began the opening melody with the notes D–A–F–F, using the first four letter names from the word “daffodil” as a playful starting point for the composition.
View the sheet music for Daffodils
2. Lilac and Lavender
Lilac and Lavender brings together the colour and fragrance of a summer garden with the familiar melody of the traditional song Lavender’s Blue. Its light folk character makes it an inviting piece for relaxed practice or an afternoon of music outdoors.
This early intermediate arrangement is written for harps with 26 or more strings. It uses no sharps or flats, making it a comfortable choice for small harps.
View the sheet music for Lilac and Lavender
3. Forget Me Not
Inspired by the tiny blue flower, Forget Me Not has a tender and reflective character. The music is simple enough to feel approachable, yet expressive enough to invite thoughtful phrasing and a gentle singing tone.
This elementary original fits harps with 26 or more strings and requires no lever changes. A free mini lesson is also available for harpists who would like some extra guidance while learning the piece.
View the sheet music for Forget Me Not
4. Periwinkle Blue
Periwinkle Blue begins with the whimsical sound of the Lydian mode before gradually settling into a gentle waltz. That shift in character gives the piece a lovely sense of movement, as though the music is wandering from one corner of the garden to another.
View the sheet music for Periwinkle Blue
5. Blueberry Acres
Blueberry Acres was inspired by my favourite blueberry U-pick here in Nova Scotia. Every summer I look forward to wandering between the rows of bushes, gathering berries in the sunshine. I wanted the music to capture that same playful energy, with a melody that skips along as though you're exploring the fields on a warm summer day.
This early intermediate original is written in G Mixolydian for harps with 26 or more strings. A free mini lesson is also available.
View the sheet music for Blueberry Acres
6. Butterfly Dreams
No summer garden feels complete without butterflies drifting from flower to flower. Butterfly Dreams celebrates those light, carefree moments with a graceful arpeggio patterns. It has become one of my favourite pieces to play outdoors, where the music seems perfectly at home among the flowers.
This early intermediate original is written for small harps with bass C as the lowest pitch. Its flowing style makes it a lovely recital piece while remaining approachable for developing harpists.
View the sheet music for Butterfly Dreams
7. Garden Medley
Garden Medley brings together three well-loved melodies: Down By the Salley Gardens, English Country Gardens, and In the Garden. Together they create a gentle musical journey through familiar landscapes and cherished memories.
This collection has become one of my favourite sets to play in nursing homes and care facilities because so many listeners recognize the melodies and enjoy humming along. It makes a wonderful addition to a therapeutic musician's repertoire. The sheet music download includes a BONUS lead sheet, which may be played on any size harp.
View the sheet music for Garden Medley
8. Light of Morning
As our musical walk through the garden comes to an end, Light of Morning welcomes a new day. Inspired by the quiet beauty of early morning light, this composition combines an original melody with the traditional tune "Morning Has Broken". It reflects those peaceful moments when the garden is still, the birds are beginning to sing, and the day is full of possibility.
View the sheet music for Light of Morning
Finding Inspiration Close to Home
One of the things I enjoy most about both gardening and music is that neither one asks us to rush. A garden changes a little each day, rewarding patience and careful attention. Learning a new piece on the harp follows much the same path. As the notes become familiar and your confidence grows, something beautiful begins to bloom.
Whether your inspiration comes from colourful flowers, butterflies drifting through the garden, or favourite places in the Nova Scotia countryside, I hope these pieces encourage you to slow down and enjoy the journey. Sometimes all it takes is a few quiet minutes with your harp to discover a new melody, a fresh perspective, or a renewed appreciation for the world just outside your door.
If one of these pieces catches your imagination, I'd love to hear which one you choose to learn first. I hope they bring you many peaceful hours of music, both in your home and, perhaps, in your own garden.
