A faux water feature will be surrounded by grass and, in most cases, inaccessible from the path. Often a path is flanked by plants, such as hostas. How does a visitor to a Zen garden differentiate between a pathway, with is intended to walked on, and a pebble pond that is not? The path will begin at a gate or entrance to the Zen garden and continue on a narrow, curved journey through the garden. Pathways can be built using wood chips or moss, but often, they are created using more pebbles. Often benches or chairs are placed near them to give visitors to the garden a place to rest and reflect.Ī Zen garden should also have a winding pathway or two so guests can leisurely stroll through the space and take in the simplistic beauty. These faux water features are meant to be gazed upon, not walked upon. The pebbles, in fact, can be raked into a wave pattern to give the illusion of flowing water. True Zen gardens often do not have water features but the feel and movement of water is fashioned by building streams and ponds made entirely of sand or small, rounded pebbles. Also, carefully consider the positioning of small trees and shrubs before you plant them as you will want to optimize natural sunlight. Zen gardens are all about balance, therefore, if you add in light green or yellow foliage to your garden, you should balance the yang with some yin by including dark green or red plants. Hostas, Japanese maples, azaleas, conifer shrubs, and water lilies are all good choices for an authentic-looking Zen garden. Zen gardens are nearly always devoid of flowers, instead they favor foliage of varying colors and sizes. The plants typically found in Zen gardens are selected for their color, size, and texture. Those components are plants, stones and pebbles, water features, and architectural pieces.Īll gardens need plants and Zen gardens are no exception. Understanding the fundamental components of the traditional Zen garden will help us replicate this unique style of garden in our own yards. ![]() Fast forward nearly seven hundred years when homeowners are rediscovering the simplistic beauty of Zen gardens with its decidedly Asian influences and tranquility. The style of garden they created, the Zen garden, mimicked the peaceful harmony of nature and attempted to generate good feng shui by directing the smooth flow of chi. As far back as the end of the 1300s, Buddhist monks understood the power of communing with nature and the relaxing benefits of gardening.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |