Yet in Japan, some of the most astonishing gardens consist of nothing but rocks and stones. Winding paths and raked gravel are also found in zen gardens along with plants such as bamboo, ferns, moss and acer and bonsai trees.Įach zen garden looks different so feel free to have fun and experiment when creating your own oasis.For most gardeners, stones – along with slugs, blackfly and weeds – are a pest, something to be eradicated. The sound of a water feature provides a soothing background noise which contributes to the zen nature. Wood is used in man-made elements such as bridges to symbolise the movement from one life to another, usually the afterlife.' As zen gardens incorporate a dry landscape, water is represented through gravel and sand. Using large upright rocks can symbolise islands and mountains that emerge from the water. What do you put in a zen garden?Īnna Elkington from Melody Maison says, ‘The main elements of a zen (Karesansui) garden include sand, stones, wood and very few plants, these gardens are known to represent nature. To keep with simplicity, less is more when planning your garden. With white gravel raked to create the look of ripple water known as hōkime.Ĭommonly zen garden ideas include a winding stone path due to the harshness of straight lines and low maintenance plants such as moss and ferns. A large stone at the entrance of the garden is commonly seen as a sign of welcome. Perfect for budget garden ideas, a zen garden should have lots of open space, embrace curves and invoke a calming atmosphere. 'Make sure you create at least a small place to sit and reflect, perhaps surround by your bamboo, with a view of your water feature.' How do you make a simple zen garden?Ī zen garden is simple in its nature so needs few materials to create a beautiful space. 'A wide range of studies show that meditation can have positive effects for everyone' says Melanie Hick. And there's no reason why your garden can't offer a similarly peaceful place for our own meditation and wellbeing. Traditional Zen gardens were designed to help monks to meditate and reflect. (Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore) Plant bamboo in planters and pots for a lovely swishing sound.' 11. 'Bamboo is an ideal plant for a zen garden, but it suckers and runs and can ruin paving. Top Tip: 'Don't plant bamboo in the ground,' advises garden designer Melanie Hick. 'Plants such as Bamboo (Arundinaria), can be used around to frame the outside edges of gardens or to add some extra privacy and create zones or areas within a space,' suggests Marcus Eyles from Dobbies. Alternatively, you could add architectural foliage to make your space feel more secluded. For easy garden shade ideas, consider screening off the area with some carefully pruned shrubs and trees, or hard landscaping.Ī simple timber trellis, panels, a pergola, or an umbrella would also work well. If you’re overlooked by neighbours or have a south-facing garden, there are permanent or temporary solutions you can try to give your garden more shade and privacy. Traditionally, zen gardens are surrounded by walls and buildings. Incorporating warm low-level lighting can also help to make the space feel more peaceful and inviting, plus soft accent lighting is perfect for highlighting features such as small water features or terrariums.’ 6. ‘When it comes to selecting colours and materials for lighting fixtures in a zen interior garden design, natural textures such as wood, marble or stone work best to create a serene atmosphere. Hanging pendant lights or wall-mounted sconces are great choices to provide subtle illumination, while also introducing an element of visual interest,’ says Mara Rypacek Mille, managing director at Industville Ltd. Lighting can be used to aid in the creation of balance between different elements in the space, such as plants, furniture, and artwork. ‘The ideal lighting for a zen interior garden should be soft and subdued. During the day your light sources should remain unobtrusive to not disrupt your zen garden ideas. The aim is not to mimic daylight with these garden lighting ideas it is to create a subtle and harmonious effect with your lighting that feels part of the environment and doesn’t overpower it. Other than creating light around pathways, they add a calming atmosphere on long summer evenings,’ says Anna Elkington from Melody Maison. ‘Adding lanterns around your garden is a common feature in zen gardens.
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