Design an Asian or Oriental garden (Photo by Jane Gates)
There is nothing more peaceful than the design of an Asian garden. Most Asian and Oriental designs are simple and lend themselves well to gardening in almost any geographical area. They use space openly and you can create water-free sand or pebble gardens. These gardens are peaceful and artful. They can be designed to be highly functional as well. Focal points can be achieved with a single, graceful plant or a bridge or a piece of sculpture. Designing a raked sand garden in an area frequented by pets or children is probably not the best idea unless you like to rake – a lot! But if designed carefully, many elements of the Asian styled garden can be incorporated into even a well-used space. Asian gardens can look sparse or full, can be formal or informal, and can take on a number of looks (Asia is a big continent!). Usually we think of the traditional Japanese garden. But even this can vary to a large degree. The terms Asian and Oriental cover designs that range from the tropical Orient through India and China, across islands and peninsulas and over a broad spectrum of cultures.
Asian or Oriental gardens are intended to give a sense of peace and harmony. All things are unique yet all are related and work together in harmony in the successful garden. (Perhaps we could learn something from this in our daily lives?) So this means each area needs to be well thought out. Trails, steps, and stepping stones are ideal ways to lead from one area to another. The concept of breaking up space into unique, beautiful yet self-contained areas is a wonderful way to deal with large or odd shaped landscapes. Each area is designed for its own look. You might want to design one area for dining, another for sitting by a waterfall and yet another to sit quietly on the grass. Sculptures help highlight and differentiate various areas. Water is virtually a living thing in an Oriental design. It creates sound and visual texture. You can put fish in water so their leisurely movements will lull your mind into a meditative mood. Or you can find sculptures to spout fountains into the air. The movement of water creates a ‘white sound’ that can help block other distracting sounds. This can be particularly useful if you live near a freeway or have a noisy neighbor.
A peaceful and beautiful garden of any style will help bring you good luck by calming your psyche and allowing you to address the day-to-day decisions in a rested and balanced way. A good Asian design will have areas that are open and simple creating that restful feel. They will have areas of activity that complement the restful feel with plants, stone or ornamentation. Paths of many forms not only lead from one area to another, but help define the spaces in between. Most paths will curve to allow energy to ‘flow’. Angles are sharp and create tension. Tension is necessary in design to compliment flow and peace. Design the play of angles and curves carefully to attain a comfortable balance. Areas to sit and enjoy your surroundings not only add to the design element, but they are functional. After all, you do want a place you can relax and enjoy the magic of your garden. Seating can also be useful – for eating, study, or entertainment. Chairs, benches and tables can be constructed of wood, metal, stone or other materials. The style of Asian design can vary considerably. You can use the bamboo and wood feel in a formal or rustic way. You can sculpt a highly durable garden using lots of concrete. Or a contemporary Asian or Oriental garden can be made of metal and glass. You can create your garden inexpensively using simple areas of sand, gravel rock and minimal planting. Or you can do an elaborate recreation of an antique Japanese, Chinese or other Asian styled garden. You can even mix some of the Asian characteristics with other styled gardens to come up with a design all your own. To enjoy it all, the sound of water adds the finishing touch to an oriental (or just about any) garden.
Other events that help express the peace versus activity theme are large boulders, areas of sand, pea gravel or ¾ inch gravel, dry river beds and grass gardens. Place a good luck lantern along a pathway. Or lead a path over a garden, dry riverbed or pond with a bridge that can be small and ornamental or large and practical. Plan areas of gravel for pet play areas. And design a lawn area that flows with the rest of the layout for children to play on or for having a picnic. You can go for a full Oriental design or you can mix elements – like a gravel area or a bridge or a meandering path – with another style garden. The idea of contrasting active areas filled with detailed materials, like plants, against ‘quiet’ areas, like places filled with sand or gravel will work equally well in any themed garden. Good design remains good design regardless of how it is expressed. And a practical garden can have its serenity enhanced with a few ideas from Asian or Oriental design concepts.
Comments