Have you ever considered creating a peaceful refuge space in your yard? If yes, check out examples of Zen Garden ideas that could be inspiring. Zen garden ideas are also known as Japanese rock gardens and remind us of the fact that: Japanese people are known for their appreciation for the nature that surrounds them. They ultimately created uniquely beautiful gardens and became an inspiration for many other nations.
What is Zen Garden?
In Japanese culture, the origin of Zen gardens can be traced back to the 8th-10th century despite giving the impression that they are the innovation of modern times. Originally developed as a space for meditation for Buddhist monks in ancient Japan. These spaces somehow turned out to be miniature landscapes composed of stylishly combined natural elements of main rock, gravel, alternatively; sand or wood in addition to planting mostly comprised of mini trees and shrubs. These all elements unite in a variety of sizes and shapes and contribute to creating a calming atmosphere in the yard.
Zen Garden Decors
If you never heard of the concept, at first glance, you might think that these enclosed places filled with a variety of rocks, plants, or sand are entirely decorative and have a stylish design of landscaping. Yet, it offers calmness, focusing the mind, helping you deal with stress. Isolation is another issue to point out when it comes to creating a calm atmosphere within the context of a Japanese-style Zen garden, which is space tends to be isolated, surrounded by walls or a fence to separate the space from the outside world. It makes sense when we remember the fact that; isolation is one of the keys to the action of meditation. The selection and arrangement of the materials are essential parts to highlight and somehow determine if the design will really end up being meditative and offering calmness or not.
How to pick elements?
In the concept of a Zen garden, one of the key points is the design. It should be based on simplicity, with nothing meaning to be distracting since they are spaces created for contemplation.
Remember that; Zen garden elements are not merely aiming to meet aesthetic needs. They do also have symbolic meanings. Rocks are one of the essential components and offer tranquility in your mini oasis. Since it is a highly enduring material, used to represent human’s desire for eternity.
White gravel is another essential part. However, sand is commonly used as an alternative choice since white gravel is not a quite affordable material and costs somewhat higher. Our recommendation would be gravel due to its durability and practicality in terms of maintenance.
Planting in Zen Garden
Planting; in order to evoke tranquility and harmony, flowers are better be sparse, short, or non-existent, and foliage should be in neutral colors of green. However, you can customize these features depending on your personal preferences. Bonsai, topiaries, dwarf conifers, Japanese maples, azaleas, bamboos, sedges, mosses, ferns are commonly embraced and among the best plants to fit in your mini oasis.
Also, remember that: There is no room for water elements in the traditional Zen garden concept, yet you can customize this feature as well and add water sources, but consider sound and pick one which is not meaning to be distractive.
Where you can design?
Lastly; there is no need to worry in case you think you need such a space for calmness and serenity yet have no enough room. Zen gardens could be in a variety of sizes, it is possible to adapt the concept to your casual balcony in your apartment. The recommendation is that: Consider the scale while picking the materials and pick the ones that are adaptable to the size of your cozy garden. Having a miniature one does not take away from the journey and experience. They ultimately serve the same purpose. Another recommendation should be getting mini statues in case you have no enough room for a large one, they are likely to fit perfectly in such a context. Buddha statues became increasingly popular in the modern Zen gardens, despite not having a place in the classical concept.
