Zen Garden Techniques

Does the screeching squirrel outside your yard need a chill pill? Do you find yourself blowing up at the slightest inconvenience? If so, then both you and the squirrel could benefit from a Zen garden. 

Stemming from Buddhist principles that emphasized tranquility and serenity, Zen gardens derived their roots from Ancient China, but later became a central component of Buddhist temples in medieval Japan. Far from being an aesthetic feature, Zen gardens held spiritual significance, serving as a retreat where monks could meditate and commune with the spirit world. While Zen gardens have evolved over time, in general they tend to be minimalist and subdued. 

Zen Garden Features

The principles of Zen Buddhism converge upon a simple, elusive term, shibumi, that translates to ‘effortless perfection’ – referring to an elegance that effortlessly draws its inspiration from the natural world. In Zen gardens, scenic elements such as waterfalls and mountains are reproduced in miniature form as a way of paying homage to the landscape. 

Commonly featuring mossy stones strewn about and concentric circles drawn in sand to subconsciously evoke the ebb and flow of the natural world, traditional Zen gardens can be categorized into three types: tea gardens, rock gardens, and hill and pond gardens. Later additions such as moving water features and lighting would also serve to heighten the transcendental state of a Zen garden, alluding to a sense of sacredness that permeates the space. 

Zen gardens are modeled after seven guiding principles: 

1. Austerity (Koko)
2. Simplicity (Kanso)
3. Naturalness (Shinzen)
4. Asymmetry (Fukinsei)
5. Mystery or Subtlety (Yugen)
6. Magical or Unconventional (Datsuzoku)
7. Stillness (Seijaku)

Chaniwa Gardens (tea gardens): The art of serving tea was a highly ritualized ceremony that was based on the philosophy of Zen Buddhism. As a result, many Chaniwa gardens were closely linked with temples, and tea houses were reserved for the wealthy. Tea gardens are intended to highlight the tea house itself, with evergreen shrubs placed near the entrance and trimmed trees fringing the outskirts. Bamboo gates and lanterns are used to create an oriental ambiance. 

Karesansui Gardens (dry landscape gardens): Often referred to as rock gardens, karesansui gardens incorporate raked sand and gravel composed in artistic arrangements. While they may appear sparse at first glance, they’re designed that way to engage the human psyche, forcing an inward confrontation of one’s innermost fears and desires. 

Tsukiyama Gardens (hill and pond gardens): True to its name, Tsukiyama gardens feature artificial hills integrated with ponds. They appear the most complete of a Zen garden, and are structured as such to encapsulate the feel of an otherworldly paradise where immortals dwell. 

 

Design Your Zen Garden with Natural Materials 

Sand

Sand Zen gardens can actually be recreated indoors and filled with artistic elements such as air plants and crystals. They are popular in home offices and bedrooms for relieving stress, with the act of raking being a meditative experience in itself. For outside use, white crystalline sand or fine gravel are recommended, as these materials easily hold their form when raked. 

Rocks 

Rocks are utilized in all types of Zen gardens, whether as stepping zones or large boulders to mark focal points. Volcanic rocks such as slate are preferred; when juxtaposed against sand, the grainy texture of slate shines through. Granite, slate, basalt, and sandstone are all used in varying degrees depending on the character you want to instill. Large boulders are often placed next to evergreen trees and shrubs to evoke the grandeur of mountains. They can also be stacked in layers near a cascading waterfall to create a tranquil sense of movement. 

Pebbles

There are many ways to add pebbles in a Zen garden: as alternating mounds between stepping stones, filler for plants, and around the base of a water fountain. Rounded gravel and pebbles tend to move around more while chipped gravel is angled and will stay in place. For an authentic feel, select large, rounded pebbles that look as if they were weathered by the ocean tides. 

Moss

Often seen draping rocky outcroppings, moss is a key feature of Japanese Zen gardens, the commonality that unites sprawling imperial grounds with the simplest rock garden. Some collectors choose to gather moss in the wild while others purchase them in online marketplaces like Etsy. 

 

Zen Garden Plants 

Alpine Plants 

Although not traditionally used in Zen gardens, alpine plants are suitable for rock gardens due to their adaptivity to harsh conditions. Phlox, dianthus, rosemary, and rock speedwell are hardy plants that bring vibrant color and charm to these rugged landscapes.  

Shrubs

 

Flowering shrubs common to the south, densely packed with blooms, such as azaleas and gardenias, introduce a harmonious quality to a Zen garden while lush evergreens add a regal, textured element year-round. For a more complete list of plants, check out this site.

Classic Trees 

Cherry blossom trees, Japanese maples, and pine are all classic trees that are hallmarks of a Zen garden. Gardeners who live in milder climates can cultivate camellias, particularly ‘Kanjiro’, a profusely flowering variety known to bloom in the winter months. 

Ferns and Ornamental Grasses 

Ornamental grasses and ferns, including Japanese deer fern, ostrich fern, and Polystichum polyblepharum, act to soften the landscape while lending a sense of antiquity. Weave them together with flowers and ornamental grasses of varying heights to create a beautifully layered tapestry of greenery. 

Zen Garden on a Budget

If you’re redesigning your yard on a budget, don’t worry. The philosophy of Zen Buddhism emphasizes restraint, so it’s actually more appropriate to be frugal than spending exorbitant amounts on your garden. 

There are simple things that you can do to make your garden more Zen, whether it be transforming small sections into gravel or adding Buddhist-inspired statuary. Raised beds can elevate certain plantings for a pop of color, and unlike other beds, the corrugated metal is painted a neutral earth shade to maintain a calming atmosphere. 

Select inexpensive native plants that don’t require much upkeep. Low-maintenance grasses, ferns, and hostas fare well in most environments and are an easy way to add rustic charm to barren spots.