Water features … No matter what the size, the purpose of the Zen garden remains the same. Japanese Zen gardens capture the philosophy of making a peaceful way. If you’re more likely to find serenity in the natural look of a woodland setting and find peace when surrounded by wildflowers and soft-textured plants, you should think about a more traditional or natural garden. In fact, water features are one of the five big garden trends for 2018. Water features usually come in the shape of a pond with koy fish and lotus flowers, a fountain, and even rocks. The Japanese rock garden or “dry landscape” garden, often called a zen garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water. Today, Zen gardens are not only featured at historic Japanese temples, but are also often constructed in residential properties around the world, where a bit of tranquility is needed—not to mention the tiny rock gardens that people leave on their desks. (Source: Jpn Gardens) This small zen garden has a small feature in the center with a single tree and some moss covered stone. The Japanese Zen Garden. There is no field of green grass but sand, gravel, and sparse scattering of moss and nondescript shrubs. It features three destinations—lounge, small dining area, and “looking garden” of mass-planted beds—united by green and silver foliage. For example, a typical Zen design is a cherry tree beside a stone wall. While some gardeners exploit color theory, taking advantage of the calming effect of "cool" colors, such as blue and lavender, you can achieve the same purpose with a more elaborate design for enjoying serenity in the backyard. Gardens, including zen gardens, are the perfect place to gather with friends and family. Learn how to make your own Zen garden with this guide to the essential elements of Japanese garden design. Flowing water is not only beautiful to admire, but the sound is very relaxing. Plants and stones are arranged in groups, much like islands in the sea of gravel. … 4.5 out of 5 stars 19. ... Zen Garden - Cherry Blossoms, Relaxation & Meditation - 50 minutes - Duration: 51:52. Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. Source: Zillow Digs™ It is not required that your zen garden … The principles are simplicity, naturalness, and austerity. A Zen garden aims to incorporate many yin and yang features into the garden. Such a place is very calm and you can easily design it in your own garden just realizing some features. Zen in Sanskrit or Mandarin dialect means ‘meditative state’, and a zen garden will really make your relax and reflect a little. Bonzai are ideal. There are never flowers – there can be grasses and plants (bamboo comes to mind) and select trees (Ornamental Cherry, Japanese Maple), shorter trees that can be trimmed with canopy tops. Statues. Zen gardens, also called Japanese rock gardens, appeal to people who like carefully controlled settings of raked sand or rocks and precisely clipped shrubs. Initially, the Zen garden was created only for the purpose of observation, and that was from a special place outside the garden itself. 97. It isn't a place to find rows of lush trees, an ornate gazebo, or a pond filled with beautiful fish.