ROCK GARDENS

•Stroll Gardens

• Legacy of ancient Chinese imperial park tradition .• The imperial hunting parks complete with vast man-made

lakes and miniature mountains and islands.

• The imperial gardens were created on a massive scale and filled with all manner of choice indigenous plants, shrubs, and trees.

• Stroll gardens are by definition gardens for walking in. here visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll taking in all beautiful scenery. All the ingredients that make a Japanese garden are here- rocks, plants, and water.

• A common design principle found in most Japanese garden is the use of asymmetry.

• Plants and trees are often arranged in an asymmetric fashion, as are fences and hedges.

• The clever use of space is unique where empty spaces are deliberately left unfiled to create feeling of spaciousness and uncluttered calm.

•Symbolism

• In this type of garden you will not find any plant or water but it is present in a symbolic sense:

• Plants are represented by moss that surrounds the rock.

• Water is represented by raked gravel

•Elements of Japanese garden

• There are three indispensable or key elements without which a Japanese garden cannot be made:

• Rocks • Plants• Water • Other subsidiary elements:• Fences• Gates • Lanterns• Paths

•Plants

• The trees and plants are chosen not just for their beauty and gracefulness but also for their symbolism.

• The deep greens of pines symbolize timeless and longevity, while the colors of the maples and cherries reflect the changing seasons.

• Cherry (Prunus serrulata ) and plum trees are extensively used in Japanese gardens.

• Both flowers in early april.

• Pinus thumbergii (black pine): it is the most popular pine for garden work in Japan.

• The needles are deep green and the bark almost jet black.

•Moss: • It is a primitive plant and there are

many different varieties in existence.

• Moss needs damp shady conditions in order to flourish.

• In constantly dry, sunny aspect, it will not grow.

• moss is most often found in woodland area under the shade of trees where nothing else will grow.

• In damp conditions moss will grow naturally without any help from men.

•Rocks

• The rocks are like the coordinates of a garden project.• Choosing the right type of rock and positioning them on

right place.

• Size is meaningful only when viewed in the context of the scale of the garden & its relationship with the neighboring rocks and other artifacts.

• Variation in rock sizes offer greater contrast & interest resulting in the more dynamic arrangement of rocks.

• Rocks are often used to represent islands and mountains, so conical or dome shape would be the obvious choice.

• Colors, generally bright colors are avoided. • Color of rocks generally varies from grey to black, and from

yellow to brick red on other hand.

• Texture, one of the vital characteristics of any rock.• A jagged textured rock gives feeling of timelessness and

dignity.• Smooth rocks like water worn stones or glacial boulders

convey the feeling of antiquity especially when combined in an interesting shape.

• Placing of rocks in Japanese gardens is quite rhythmic just like a music composition where individual rocks acts as musical notes.

• Certain guidelines or ground rules are followed to achieve good results such as :

• Rocks of varying sizes are used to emphasize the contrast.• Generally asymmetric arrangement of rocks is preferred

over symmetrical arrangement.• Sometimes there is a tradition for arranging the rocks to

reflect the philosophical concept heaven, earth and man.

•Water

• Water is used not just for its visual quality, but also for its sound.

• The Japanese have learnt to exploit the sound of water in all its various form. it varies from powerful waterfall to water falling into a water basin, creating different emotions.

• There are number of ways in which water can be used in Japanese gardens:

• As a pond or lake setting, in a stream and as a waterfall.

• If the objective is to create an expensive atmosphere then a pond or lake is the answer.

• If the aim is dynamic effect, which will stimulate both visual and acoustic senses then waterfall is more suitable.

•Accessories

• Lanterns ,bridges, fences, water basins and even stepping stones and paths come in the category.

• Fences and paths are uniquely Japanese