Japanese Rock Garden Designs
by Marty1 on Aug 23, 2009 with 0 Comments
Japanese rock garden designs come in all shapes and sizes. They are also suited to small garden landscapes, as this style of garden is perfect in minature form.
Japanese garden rock designs are steeped in history and follow the lines of nature and serenity. Why? Because traditional gardens where designed and created by Shinto priests and Buddhist monks as a part of paying tribute and prayer.
Japanese gardens have evolved over time and many forms of them now exist, but the basis of design still remains the same
A sense of balance must be obtained using the formula of Yin and Yang and traditional practices to keep the Japanese garden looking as good as it did yesterday. Many gardens who appreciate the Asian style garden prefer the overall look and feel that this type of garden can provide. These gardens simulate nature in miniature form, and can this makes it perfect for a small space garden design.
As with traditional European designs the Asian garden is not made to display flowers. Instead they prefer to use barks, architectural leaf and trunk forms, stones; pebbles and sometimes boulders are placed imitating a mountain paradise. It all just comes down to scale. That’s why they created the Bonsai landscape, another version of Japanese rock garden designs.
The Bonsai is the smallest version of a landscape available anywhere in the world available today, and truly a magical piece of natural art form.
Creating a Japanese garden
When creating a rock garden of any form the main Focal point must be the largest rock or boulder. Large boulders must be set a minimum of one third its size into the ground (earth). This will provide a stable setting. In unstable ground set the boulder in gravel or metal dust to make it extra secure.
Tip: Bury the rock to look like it has been there a very long time. Also, pour over old milk or yoghurt to stain the rock or boulder. This will give it an appearance of aging.
Place Japanese rock garden designs and other small less dominating features such as Japanese oriental statuary. Lantern can be featured and placed on large rocks or set in pebbles. When creating your Japanese rock garden design you must look at it in an artistic way and create window effects. Each widow will contain its own focal point of interest and a slightly different aspect.
Example: Create a small path with dwarf trees that change in colours with the season, place large rocks on the corners to simulate Mountains. After you turn the corner and point of entry you can stumble upon a garden Buddha, fountain, or small water garden placed with a Japanese lantern.
Creating diverse experiences in the garden can make your Japanese garden very interesting and stimulating.
Tip: Place ferns in the cracks of your boulders in shady areas and small birds nest tree ferns in-between boulders to induce a tropical feel. Rocks are the essence of the Japanese garden. If you have properly placed your stones in the garden, the rest of the garden will fall into place for you.
Japanese rock garden designs are a cultural form and we in the western world love to imitate this fabulous design. It is very possible to recreate this wonderful natural style in such a way that it can suit our zone or area. Before purchasing trees or plants enquire at your local nursery which will grow well in your area. Also, always keep an eye out for large rock forms that that look like mountain tops or rolling hills, you just may find what you’re looking for and recreate your very own Japanese rock garden.
References
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Published in: Gardening
