![]() ![]() ![]() 4 The use of sand and gravel in the rock garden.3 The selection and arrangement of rocks.2.2 The classic zen gardens of the Muromachi Period (1336-1573).They were intended to imitate the intimate essence of nature, not its actual appearance, and to serve an aid to meditation about the true meaning of life. Classical zen gardens were created at temples of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan during the Muromachi Period. A zen garden is usually relatively small, surrounded by a wall, and is usually meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden, such as the porch of the hojo, the residence of the chief monk of the temple or monastery. Instead, make sure they are properly set into the soil or gravel around them, perhaps with a bit of shallow digging first.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Ryoan-ji (late 15th century) in Kyoto, Japan, a famous example of a zen garden A mountain, waterfall, and gravel "river" at Daisen-in (1509–1513)The Japanese rock garden (枯山水, karesansui ?) or "dry landscape" garden, often called a zen garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully-composed arrangements of rocks, moss, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water. So, don’t simply place them, where they could be knocked over. ![]() And remember that large rocks need to be secure to the ground. Stick to groups of three or odd-numbered clusters – it looks more aesthetically-pleasing than even numbers. A smaller, smoother one in front, surrounded by fine gravel, could represent clouds. An upturned, vertical stone could symbolise a mountain, for example. In other words, don’t cram every rock you can find in a jumbled heap of a rainbow of colours – instead, pick carefully, and think what each stone could represent. So, when you start creating your rock garden, keep it simple. Traditional Japanese rock gardens offer a restful view for the eyes and inspire a feeling of peace and stillness. ‘Alternatively, there are dwarf cultivars available, such as ‘Fire Power’, which has a more vibrant red leaf in autumn.’ How do you arrange rocks in a Japanese garden? ‘My Nandina has moved house with me about four times now, and if it starts getting too big, it can be easily pruned. ![]() ‘Another common Japanese garden plant is Nandina domestica or Sacred Bamboo, which although it is not a bamboo, has attractive foliage, flowers and fruit,’ adds Jake Davies-Robertson from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Gardeners’ World also suggests Hakonechloa macra – Japanese forest grass – to soften edges of paths. Ornamental quinces add colour for early spring (try ' Geisha Girl’ for apricot-hued flowers), as do camellias. Ornamental grasses are another good addition – try Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' for striking purple-black leaves. Rhododendron – azalea’s big sister – can be seen in larger gardens, as can hydrangeas with their showy heads full of blooms. But, if you’re after even more plants to fill your Japanese-inspired space, you’re in luck. Go miniature with treesĪs we’ve mentioned, popular Japanese garden plants include acers, azaleas, bamboo, moss, magnolias, and cherry blossoms. In karesansui, the plants provide a backdrop or small flourishes around the rocks.’ 2. ‘In many cases, the rocks are seen as more important than the plants in the garden, as in karesansai, or dry gardens. ‘Stones are often selected or arranged to represent mountain ranges, cliffs, or rocky outcrops, or just because they are particularly beautiful. ‘Japan is a very mountainous land and is blessed with many different rocks, but rocks are heavy, so usually a garden is constructed with local stone,’ says Jake Davies-Robertson, Botanical Horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Light, small-sized gravel works well, and then, using a hand-held rake, create swirls and lengths of patterns – get creative! You can change the raked design every time, depending on how the mood takes you. Larger rocks can be used to resemble mountains, or islands, rising from the ‘water’ below. ‘Think raked gravel instead of grass, to interpret water ripples,' she adds. They are ‘a place of retreat to reset after a day in our busy modern lives.’ ‘Japanese rock gardens are all about embracing calm, balance and mindfulness,’ says Jessica Smith, gardener and florist of Flower and Land. ![]()
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