Intimacy and unity with nature in the style of ancient Japan. DIY Japanese-style garden Japanese-style garden in the country

Japanese garden in the country

If you like oriental motifs in garden design, you will certainly not be indifferent to the Japanese garden. If you dare to organize it on your site, then you will have a haven of peace and tranquility, where you can always hide from the bustle of the city.

Japanese garden in the country

However, to be fair, I admit that creating a real Japanese garden is quite an expensive pleasure. Therefore, you should not try to cover large areas; you can simply organize a small corner, no more than 4-6 square meters, in your garden.

Japanese garden at the dacha - paths

Gardeners distinguish two types of Japanese gardens - hilly and flat. You can choose between them in favor of the direction that best suits your landscape.

Japanese garden at the dacha - steps

A flat Japanese garden is located on a flat area, its entire composition is visible from any point in the garden. A hilly garden, on the other hand, can open up differently from different vantage points, with the hills forming the main part of the landscape.

Typically, a Japanese garden has five hills, one of which is higher than the surrounding ones. It symbolizes Mount Fuji, which the Japanese consider sacred.

Lantern in a Japanese garden

Five Principles of Japanese Garden Design

When organizing your garden, use five fundamental principles that will make it truly Japanese.

First principle- asymmetry of landscape design. This is the basis of the nature around us, from which the Japanese try to take all their design ideas.

Pond in a Japanese garden

Second principle- the absence of random details that will cause confusion in the organization of the garden. Any element of the site must be placed meaningfully and carry a certain symbolism.

Pine tree in a Japanese garden

Third principle- plants and stones chosen for the garden should be discreet in color, but expressive. They should be selected according to their shape; usually the elements of a Japanese garden have a clear, regular and slightly rounded structure. The arrangement of plants and stones should create a contemplative mood.

Fourth principle- usually the ground around the plants is either compacted or covered with fine gravel. IN last years they began to plant lawn grass, and the Japanese try to avoid large green lawns. They always have something stuck in the middle of the green carpet - a bush, a stone composition, etc.

Fifth principle- try not to compact the plantings, leave a little free space between all the elements. Stop yourself from wanting to make a lot of flower beds, flower beds and plant a lot of trees.

Trees in a Japanese garden

Selection of plants for the Japanese garden

Especially important for the Japanese garden correct selection trees and shrubs. Japan has a unique climate and many plants are simply not grown here. But there is one adapted for Middle lane Russia's selection of plants that can be planted in a Japanese garden.

For example, the Japanese cherry tree, known to everyone for its beautiful blossoms, can be replaced decorative variety plums, steppe almonds or felt cherries.

Cold-hardy rhododendron varieties can also add beauty to your Japanese garden. Japanese maple, unfortunately, is not entirely suitable for our climate, but instead you can plant black elderberry with beautiful leaves and crown shape.

Bonsai in a Japanese garden

A little about bonsai trees. Ready-made bonsai is not cheap, but you can grow it yourself, for example from pine. It is enough to pinch the pine shoots every year and in 5-7 years you will have an elegant tree.

The most important thing is that when you are faced with a choice of plants, remember that less is more. Leave more in the garden free space in order to emphasize the laconicism of the landscape.

Space Japanese kindergarten

Video from a Japanese garden

We recently visited a real Japanese garden. IN Botanical Garden Prague, in the Czech Republic, has a corner of Japan. It is very beautiful and contemplative there. I invite you to take a walk with us!

It is very difficult to combine the design concepts of a Japanese garden and summer cottage in the European part of the country, so the most acceptable option would be to allocate an isolated place for construction. The space between the house and the fence, an area near the gazebo, or a shaded place for which the owner has not made any plans for a long time would be suitable. The background can be a building wall painted in White color, hedge made of bushes, a simple fence braided with honeysuckle.

The idea of ​​a Japanese garden is unity with nature and peace. Being on its territory, a person tries to comprehend eternal truths, understand the harmony of the world, find beauty in the most simple things. This area is distinguished by its harmony, simplicity, modesty, lack of pomp and excessive brightness. In order to comply with all the rules for designing a recreation area, before starting work, carefully consider the location of all its elements.

Japanese gardens are not like our traditional gardens. They do not plant flower beds or grow fruits and berries. The main objects of the recreation area are considered to be stones, water and plants, which carry a certain meaning. Besides them, there are many others on the site auxiliary elements designed to create coziness. These include lanterns, paths, bridges, pagodas, etc.

There are several types of Japanese gardens:

• Rock garden. It best expresses Eastern philosophy and wisdom. The rules for its creation are based on the teachings of Zen, but planning is carried out depending on your own concept of the unity of man and nature. Its basis is made up of cobblestones different sizes, shapes and colors, arranged in a certain order on a sand base.
• garden of flowers. Used for decorating areas. Evergreens are planted in the flower beds, which delight the owners all year round.
• Tea garden. Created for tea ceremonies. The whole composition is conducive to solitude or a pleasant time together.
• Miniature garden. It is formed in a limited area, therefore it is quite difficult to implement due to the need to place a large number of items on a small area.
• Walking garden. Built for leisurely walks at any time of the year. It features a large number of beautifully designed paths and an original landscape.

Features of a Japanese-style garden

The site is formed from simple and concise objects, but this does not mean a boring collection of stones and vegetation. If you follow all the rules oriental style, you can get excellent results even from nondescript materials. Let's consider the main stages of building a Japanese garden in the country: the selection of parts, their placement, as well as the sequence of work.

Selecting elements for a Japanese garden

The main elements of a Japanese garden include:

1. Stones. They symbolize constancy and form the basis of the composition. In the Japanese garden, round cobblestones of different sizes, shapes, colors are used, preferably having an ancient appearance. To age them, moss is planted on the cobblestones. Stones are placed in groups in a certain order, asymmetrically, often half-buried. Large specimens are always placed in the center of the group, the rest are located at the edges.
2. Water. Displays time and vital energy. A stream or pond is often built on the site, in which the water is located at bank level. The location of the pond and its size create the style of the garden. To create a lake, it is enough to fence off a small depression with moss and plant reeds. Fish is released at will. The Japanese's favorite structure is a waterfall. It is created away from the house so that the room remains quiet. Streams can be made multi-stage. Often, instead of a real one, they build a dry one, from small stones and gravel that imitate flowing water. The banks are necessarily winding, and low plants are planted on them.

• Trees. There shouldn't be many of them. In a Japanese garden, plants are planted whose leaves have various shapes and shade. The dominant color in the recreation area is green. Evergreens are considered the most popular. The most common tree is pine, which symbolizes longevity. In the European part of the country, species characteristic of Japan do not take root due to the climate. Therefore, they select those varieties that grow in a given area, adhering to the following concept: darker ones are planted in the background, light ones in the foreground, thus creating depth in the composition. Plants with yellow or yellow colors also look good in a Japanese garden. brown leaves. You can plant heather, irises, dwarf pine, ferns or dilute green moss on the stones.
• Furniture. Furniture made from bamboo is often installed on the site. A hedge made from this plant gives the recreation area a Japanese flavor.
• Bridges. Very common decorative elements, which personify the transition from one world to another. Valuable tree species are used for production. A winding path leads to the bridge.
• Paths. They are always made tortuous, because they signify the paths leading through life and connect its fragments into a single whole. They are made from natural material and beautifully decorated.
• Lanterns. They are a mandatory attribute of the Japanese garden and symbolize the fourth element - fire. In the old days they were intended for lighting, but nowadays they are decorative. Traditionally, lanterns are made of stone. Some designs allow you to install candles inside. There are several types of stone products, each for its own occasion. High ones on legs (tachi-gata) - for lighting, low ones - for winter period, allow you to admire the snow cover. Mount the lanterns in the main places - near the pond or at the highest elements. To shade them, the products are installed in front of the tree.
• Backlight. In a Japanese garden, the main elements must be illuminated. Typically, light sources are placed below and masked. The lighting is organized in such a way that all elements are illuminated in a non-standard way, so on a dark night the area looks mysterious and fabulous.
• Fence. Necessary to create privacy, it is made dull and high on all sides. Traditionally, the fence is made from bamboo, but it can be made from stone or wood. If the site is located near the house, cover the walls with mats or bamboo stems.

Rules for the arrangement of garden elements

It’s not difficult to make a Japanese garden with your own hands, the main thing is to adhere to the following principles:

1. Arrange objects asymmetrically, like everything in nature.
2. All details on the site must have a certain meaning. Random elements are not allowed. Large stones represent mountains, a pond represents the sea, and paths represent the path of life.
3. In walking gardens, the elements open one by one, after passing the next point.
4. The site is usually closed on all sides, but the landscape behind the fence should always be visible, which complements the composition.
5. Objects should not be placed densely; enough space should be left between them.
6. The basic shape of all parts in the garden is round.
7. Do not use too bright and catchy figures on the site.
8. Green lawns in compositions made in Japanese style, do not apply.
9. The central path is made wider than all the others. Usually it divides the territory into two even parts.
10. A platform is set up in the middle of the central path correct form, on which the main object is placed.
11. There must be a point in the garden from where the entire area can be seen.
12. The area of ​​the central part is always larger than any other element, for example, a flower bed. The ground floor area must be well maintained.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a Japanese garden

• Clear the area of ​​debris and roots.
• Remove a layer of soil to a depth of 10-15 cm. If the soil is clayey, dig a hole deeper to provide drainage. For drainage, cover the bottom with a geotextile backing, and pour a 10 cm thick layer of crushed stone on top.
• Level the surface with coarse sand in a 15 cm layer. If groundwater located too close to the surface, use perforated drainage pipes.
• Fence the area around the perimeter with a border - large cobblestones, which are half buried in dense soil, or fixed cement mortar. The border will limit the backfilling of the stone garden. The lawn boundary is also marked with pebbles or crushed stone.
• Select oblong or round boulders that resemble flat hills. They should look absolutely natural, without traces of processing.
• Arrange them in such a way that they resemble a natural picture of nature. They are installed in groups of 3-5 stones. Place one of them, the largest, in the middle, the rest - on the sides.
• For stability, bury massive stones 1/3 of the way into the sand. Flat samples do not need to be buried.
• After arranging, look at the resulting composition from the outside and evaluate it. In order not to move massive objects at the initial stage of work, initially light objects of the same dimensions can be installed instead of them.
• After obtaining a satisfactory result, fill the area with sand 5-7 cm thick. Bulk material choose cool colors, it compares favorably with light sand.
• Select elements that should match the style of the composition and install them according to the project.
• Using a rake, create small ripples or circles on the surface around the island stones. Curvilinear stripes mean stormy streams, straight ones mean calm waters, circles around cobblestones mean waves. To obtain patterns, use special rakes with attachments.
• In accordance with the teachings of Taoist philosophy, create a “Tao” road on the site. It should look like a winding step-by-step path. A continuous array is not acceptable. To create it, use flat stone slabs of flagstone, dolomite or basalt, laid at different intervals.
• Instead of a path, a “dry” stream is often built, winding between the islands. It is made from slate, shungite or another rock of black, dark olive or bluish color.
• Tall plants are usually not used in a rock garden, so plant a variety of mosses that look good on the cobblestones.
• On large plot install statues, bridges or other elements.

The Land of the Rising Sun is famous for its distinctive culture and traditions. Here, each item has its own philosophical meaning and centuries-old history.

The main word that characterizes Japanese culture is harmony. She reigns in everything. The unity of man with nature creates an atmosphere of tranquility and makes one think about the eternal. That’s why the Japanese style has become quite popular in our country.

How to create on your site the original atmosphere of the land of philosophers and samurai?

Planning principle

The main accents in the formation of a Japanese garden: asymmetry in the arrangement of elements, smooth lines, the predominance of green, red, yellow, orange, purple shades, simplicity of design techniques.

Visually, such a garden is divided into two zones. In one zone, the main one, decorative elements, stones are installed, and plants are planted. The second zone, in contrast to the first, remains deserted.

In addition, in the main zone, the “visual distance” method is used to effectively reveal the landscape:

• large plants are planted in the foreground or voluminous stones are installed
• in the background - medium in size
• on the third - the smallest

Then, while walking around the garden, new elements of the landscape will be revealed to you with every step. Everything resembles the untouched, fascinating naturalness of nature.

Philosophy and symbols of the garden

"There can be a garden without flowers, but there cannot be a garden without stones." This is what the Japanese sages said.

The Japanese garden differs from the garden plantings we are used to and combines three main components - water, stone and vegetation, which are in harmony with each other. The harmony of the elements is especially important here.

There are few or no plants. And the main elements, the basis of the garden, are stones skillfully installed on the territory.

No less important in landscape design is water - the “blood” of the garden. Waterfall, stream, spring or pond - required elements your Japanese corner.

Rock garden

The stone symbolizes perseverance and strength, and when collected in a composition, they symbolize the endless and unknowable Universe. That is why the stones are laid out so that no matter your location on the territory, you would not see all the stones at the same time.

We begin laying out the composition of stones (necessarily an odd number) from the left corner of the site diagonally. Try to use stones together color scheme or in groups different colors, without any processing, just as they are in nature. Overgrown with moss, the boulders will look even more natural. Compositions of large and small stones are also possible. We plant plants with attractively colored or unusually shaped foliage nearby.

Smooth winding paths paved with stone is exactly what makes a Japanese garden calm, balanced and fills the atmosphere with harmony. A path of smooth flat stones symbolizes a journey through life without obstacles or problems. What will the path in your garden look like?

Using river pebbles, sand or pea gravel (all of which traditionally represent water), you can create a "dry stream" or small waterfall.

Sandstone and natural slates are also used to decorate the garden.

Plants for the Japanese garden

Each of the plants carries a philosophical meaning:

• pine is a symbol of long life, courage, strong character, longevity
• weeping willow - modesty and obedience
• plum tree represents the beauty of the soul
• maple - a symbol of wisdom, knowledge
• bamboo - assertiveness, fortitude, striving forward
• bindweed - poetry of life
• moss, lichen - personify maternal kindness and love, protection and reliability

Therefore, when choosing plants for your garden, take this aspect into account.

Niwaki, plants grown in a special way with a beautiful extravagant crown, can become an extraordinary decoration for your garden. They are also called “garden bonsai” for their strong similarity to these plants. The main principle in landscaping the area is the “wave principle”: plants are selected in such a way that you can admire something at any time of the year.

Shrubs and low-growing trees, such as rhododendron, juniper, Karelian birch, dwarf spruce, are combined with tall ones - oak, pine, elm. Fruit trees (cherry, apricot) can easily replace Japanese sakura and they will also delight you during flowering.

Among herbaceous plants, you should choose large-leaved species, such as hosta, fern, chrysanthemums, and Rogers.

Bamboo and baobab are heat-loving and may not take root in our area. An alternative to bamboo can be black alder "Imperialis" or Sakhalin buckwheat.

If the area of ​​your garden is in the shade, plants such as rhododendrons, Japanese primrose, three-row polygonum, and light rose will be suitable. Good on the sunny side: Japanese spirea, dwarf Weymouth pine, Ginnala river maple. Bright periwinkle or Siebold's hoofweed will also be appropriate in your flowerbed.

Water

Water is a symbol of vital energy, purification, prosperity, positive energy. A Japanese-style garden is unthinkable without a water feature. This is a waterfall (symbolizes the beginning human life), stream (streams of water - the river of our life), fountain, small pond. You can plant moisture-loving plants along the banks of your pond.

An alternative could be a “dry stream” or “dry pond”, as well as wavy lines drawn on sand or shallow fill.

Irreplaceable interesting element There will be a tsukubai in your garden - this is a stone bowl for washing your face and washing your hands (symbolizes purity and innocence). Water is collected from tsukubaya using a bamboo ladle. Usually tsukubai are placed near the house or at the entrance to the garden.

The space around the tsukubai is filled with the “sea” - black pebbles. Tsukubai can be combined with the Oribs lantern (no other lanterns are suitable for this role). This type of blowing will perfectly highlight the style of your garden and fill it with the melody of rushing water.

We can talk endlessly about Japanese culture, it is so interesting and fascinating. And you can't go wrong if you decide to decorate your garden in Japanese style. After all, it is here that you will feel on the same wavelength with nature, which is so important in our modern dynamic pace of life.

Relief

Depending on the characteristics of the site, you can create a garden in flat or mountainous terrain.

Reanlzi Garden- an example of a planar composition. For this design you will need sand, small stones and moss. Draw transverse stripes-waves on the sand with a rake - they will symbolize the water area, a “dry pond”. Arrange moss and stones randomly.

For hilly terrain, sand, pebbles and large structural rocks are useful. Place a large elongated stone vertically - this is yours Mountain peak. Make flat rocks into the sides of your hill.

Bridge in Japan - a symbol life path, so it is made from valuable species trees. For harmonious combination put it on your bridge stone path. You can also lay stones on both sides of the bridge or plant a flower bed. Sitting on the bridge with a cup of tea, you can think about the main values ​​of life.

Japanese garden in the country

If you like oriental motifs in garden design, you will certainly not be indifferent to the Japanese garden. If you dare to organize it on your site, then you will have a haven of peace and tranquility, where you can always hide from the bustle of the city.

Japanese garden in the country

However, to be fair, I admit that creating a real Japanese garden is quite an expensive proposition. Therefore, you should not try to cover large areas; you can simply organize a small corner, no more than 4-6 square meters, in your garden.

Japanese garden in the country - paths

Gardeners distinguish two types of Japanese gardens - hilly and flat. You can choose between them in favor of the direction that best suits your landscape.

Japanese garden in the country - steps

A flat Japanese garden is located on a flat area, its entire composition is visible from any point in the garden. A hilly garden, on the other hand, can open up differently from different vantage points, with the hills forming the main part of the landscape.

Typically, a Japanese garden has five hills, one of which is higher than the surrounding ones. It symbolizes Mount Fuji, which the Japanese consider sacred.

Lantern in a Japanese garden

Five Principles of Japanese Garden Design

When organizing your garden, use five fundamental principles that will make it truly Japanese.

The first principle is asymmetrical landscape design. This is the basis of the nature around us, from which the Japanese try to take all their design ideas.

Pond in a Japanese garden

The second principle is the absence of random details that will cause confusion in the organization of the garden. Any element of the site must be placed meaningfully and carry a certain symbolism.

Pine tree in a Japanese garden

The third principle is that plants and stones chosen for the garden should be discreet in color, but expressive. They should be selected according to their shape; usually the elements of a Japanese garden have a clear, regular and slightly rounded structure. The arrangement of plants and stones should create a contemplative mood.

The fourth principle is that usually the ground around the plants is either compacted or covered with fine gravel. In recent years, they have begun to plant lawn grass, and the Japanese are trying to avoid large green lawns. They always have something stuck in the middle of the green carpet - a bush, a stone composition, etc.

Fifth principle - try not to compact the plantings, leave a little free space between all the elements. Stop yourself from wanting to make a lot of flower beds, flower beds and plant a lot of trees.

Trees in a Japanese garden

Selection of plants for the Japanese garden

The correct selection of trees and shrubs is especially important for a Japanese garden. Japan has a unique climate and many plants are simply not grown here. But there is one adapted for Central Russia that can be planted in a Japanese garden.

For example, the Japanese cherry, sakura, known to everyone for its beautiful blossoms, can be replaced with an ornamental plum variety, steppe almond or felt cherry.

Cold-hardy varieties can also beautify your Japanese garden. Japanese maple, unfortunately, is not entirely suitable for our climate, but instead you can plant black elderberry with beautiful leaves and crown shape.

Bonsai in a Japanese garden

A little about bonsai trees. Ready-made bonsai is not cheap, but you can grow it yourself, for example from pine. It is enough to pinch the pine shoots every year and in 5-7 years you will have an elegant tree.

The most important thing is that when you are faced with a choice of plants, remember that less is more. Leave more free space in the garden in order to emphasize the laconicism of the landscape.

Japanese garden space

Video from a Japanese garden

We recently visited a real Japanese garden. In the Botanical Garden of Prague, in the Czech Republic, there is a corner of Japan. It is very beautiful and contemplative there. I invite you to take a walk with us!

Preface

rocky gardens, imitating the natural landscape of mountain slopes, are a popular arrangement technique personal plots, gardens and park areas.

Rocky gardens, imitating the natural landscape of mountain slopes, are a popular method for arranging personal plots, gardens and park areas. Sometimes they may be constructed retaining walls or constructed from wild stone steps overgrown with greenery. The special skill of the landscape artist is to ensure that the compositions created in this way seem abandoned and become a natural part of the mountain landscape.

The Japanese rock garden in landscape design is often combined with artificial waterfall, pond or stream. However, this option for arranging a garden is used not only as an aesthetic element, but also helps to cope with the problem complex solution space.

Creating a cozy, secluded corner in a small area, dividing the garden into separate zones and disguising unattractive objects - all this is the prerogative of rock gardens. At the same time, you can not only build artificial constructions, but also to use the natural unevenness of the terrain, which are often considered disadvantages of the site.

A beautiful stone garden can be created even in the most unsuitable area. A ditch or the slope of a ravine, which spoils the entire area with its appearance, will become the basis for a beautiful rock garden or rock garden, which is not difficult to create if you adhere to some rules.

There are several types of rocky gardens, but they are all united by the main idea: plants and flowers are planted on a mountain slope, among stones. beauty flora and the beauty of the stone material are harmoniously combined, effectively complementing each other.

Watch how to make an alpine slide with your own hands in the video:

One of the most popular and widespread types of rock gardens is a rock garden or alpine slide. Such a do-it-yourself rock garden is a natural slope or an artificially created hill with stones, between which bushes and herbaceous plants. The main element of such a natural corner is, and the vegetation only complements, emphasizing their texture and color.

Initially, low-growing perennials and various bulbous plants were used to create alpine slides. Today in rock gardens they grow the most different plants and flowers, guided solely by their taste. Creating a rock garden is not a difficult, but long-term task. Unlike classic flower beds with annuals, rock gardens last for several years, becoming more beautiful every year.

Japanese rock garden - traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun

The Japanese rock garden conceals a special philosophy that carries the idea of ​​striving for Nature as one of the main ideals of human life. The traditional Japanese stone garden is the embodiment of naturalness, symbolism and minimalism, which is so fashionable now. In addition, the space requirements of such site arrangement are also minimal. Therefore, for those who are tired of the riot of colors and diversity, or such core already furnished, it is recommended to allocate a corner for Japanese-style stone arrangement, where you can come to relieve stress, relax, calm down and reflect.

The construction of a Japanese garden area begins with the choice of location and layout of the site. The most important characteristics for it are good soil drainage, optimal sunlight and ventilation.

The most important elements of a Japanese garden are water and stones. However, you should not build a square pond on the site, since such a pond cannot be found in nature. In order for the creation of a Japanese corner to go right and the result to please you, you need to be attentive to all the little things and maintain a special harmony when choosing these or these elements. You shouldn’t clutter up the space, but you also shouldn’t leave it “soulless” - everything should be symmetrical and harmonious. If you want to arrange a site in Japanese style, it is important to decide what it should be: Japanese winter Garden or plants that grow only in warm time of the year.

When choosing material for a Japanese recreation area, you must comply with a number of certain rules. For a Japanese garden, it is advisable to take stones of the same variety. It is better to take 2-3 large cobblestones than a mountain of small stones. Large material is used for the base, and small material is used to emphasize it. There is no need to bury cobblestones deep into the ground - everything should be natural. Therefore, the stone should stand straight, without going too deep into the ground.

Approximately in the center of the site, you can place one main boulder, and a little less along the edges. This arrangement is identified with the triad in Buddhism. Among all the other rocky gardens, the Japanese one serves not only as a landscape decoration, but also as a place for meditation. You can show it off to your friends, relax in it, relieve stress, achieve inner harmony and find peace of mind.

Rockery - rock garden at the dacha

When deciding to build a rock garden at your dacha, the easiest way to start is with a rock garden. From alpine slide it is characterized by a flat area. As a rule, few plants are planted in rockeries. All decorative effect here is achieved through the beauty of the stone. The space that has formed between the individual stone fragments is filled with a layer of gravel, effectively shading the stone. Dark cobblestone and light gravel combine very well. And light limestone effectively combines multi-colored river pebbles. It is recommended to place a fertile layer of soil under the pebbles to provide nutrition for plant roots.

Sometimes a rockery can have architectural form. In this case it will represent steps made of flat stones big size framed by creeping plants characteristic of mountainous areas.

If the natural topography of the territory already contains a slope with rock outcropping, then you can create a complex terraced rock garden that will combine everything natural objects: brought and available stone material, planted plants and shrubs.

Watch how to make a rock garden with your own hands in the video:

Retaining wall in the form of a rock garden

Retaining walls made of natural stone are among the most common elements of rock gardens. Most often, the walls are equipped specifically as a support for the terrace. Therefore, decorativeness is the second purpose, functionality comes first. In the cracks formed between the stones, they plant unpretentious plants. With the help of such structures it is carried out vertical gardening plot, dividing it into separate zones. Almost always, a retaining wall is part of a rock garden.

Terraced rock garden

The terraced slope is more complex look rock garden. This is a kind of system of horizontal terraces, which are strengthened by retaining walls with different heights. Most often, such site arrangement includes all the elements of stone gardens: retaining walls, alpine slope, steps made of stones, etc.

A terraced garden is created on the slope of a ravine, on a slope or on a river bank. The choice of plants and planting combinations are very diverse. The most common option is planted on terraces. dwarf shrubs, trees, grassy climbing plants. Very often you can find low-growing rhododendrons, Ericas, and heathers.

Miniature rock garden

Miniature rock garden - a comparative new word in landscape design. This innovation has become widespread in small areas, as well as in cases where the garden is being built for a short time. Sometimes, for the foundation of such a mini-garden, a strangely shaped stone with a natural depression is used. Sometimes even an old basket, trough or other specially created depression in the ground is used. Such a fancy structure can be made in portable containers and placed wherever your heart desires, even on the terrace of your house.

Watch how to make a rocky mini-garden with your own hands in the video:

Ryoanji - rock garden

The Ryoanji Rock Garden, located in the Japanese city of Kyoto, is also called the Fifteen Stone Garden. This is one of best examples stone gardens that appeared at Japanese temples in the 14th - 16th centuries. It is rightfully considered the greatest masterpiece of Japanese culture. On flat surface, covered with white gravel, there is a group of stones. There are fifteen of them in total. Each group is surrounded by brown-green moss, which has partially covered the cobblestones themselves. The moss simultaneously acts as both a frame and a pedestal. This is the only color note in the ascetic monochrome of the garden. The surface of the gravel is “combed” with a special rake so that the furrows are parallel to the long garden side, and around each of the stone groups the furrows are located in concentric circles.

It is believed that the white gravel in this composition symbolizes the sea, the cobblestones symbolize the islands, and the moss symbolizes the forests. Although, each visitor sees something different in this.

Seeing Ryoanji for the first time, there is a feeling of purity and severity. Freely arranged elements come into view gradually. At the same time, every now and then, the gaze returns to the starting point.

The garden is designed in the style of kare-sansui, the so-called “dry landscape”. The mystery of Ryoanji lies in the fifteen rock fragments arranged so that no matter which direction visitors look at, they can only see fourteen stones at a time. It is believed that only through meditation, spiritual cleansing and the right attitude can one achieve enlightenment and see the fifteenth invisible stone.

Before you make a rock garden, you need to understand some aspects: choosing a suitable location, selecting suitable stones and their proper installation. The beauty and harmony of the rocky composition will depend on this. Equally important is the correct selection of plants and planting. Wrong decisions can ruin even the best and most original idea.

Watch how to make a Japanese rock garden with your own hands in the video: