With the quartet of gravel, sand, moss and trees, the fascinating world of Asian garden art opens up to you. Gravel, sand, stones and moss are quickly integrated into the authentic Zen garden. This selection introduces you to beautiful plants that you can use to round off the design plan creatively and in accordance with the concept.
Which plants are suitable for a Zen garden?
Bonsai trees such as Japanese maiden pine, Japanese yew or Japanese maple are particularly suitable for an authentic Zen garden. In addition, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, succulents and stylish moss substitutes such as star moss can be used for individual design.
These trees are desirable in the Zen garden
The strict rules for a pristine Zen garden only accept mini-sized trees. How good that some of the most beautiful Asian ornamental trees are suitable for cultivation as bonsai:
- Evergreen: Japanese maiden pine (Pinus parviflora) or Japanese yew (Taxus Cuspidata)
- Deciduous with magnificent autumn colors: Japanese Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
- Flowering trees: Japanese carnation cherry (Prunus serrulata), Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica)
In principle, all Asian bonsai species conform to this garden form, although they should also have reliable winter hardiness. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is therefore also highly valued for the true-to-original design of a Japanese rock garden.
Permitted break in style from the plant kingdom for more individuality
Plant variations spill over from classic Japanese garden design into the Zen garden, which are tolerated as a permitted break in style. Add a touch of individuality to your Kare-san-sui garden with the following species and varieties:
- Ornamental grasses: Non-stoloniferous bamboo (Fargesia murielae) or diamond grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)
- Flowering shrubs: Rhododendron, e.g. B. white-flowering “Cunningham’s White” or red-flowering “Erato”
- Succulents: Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) or plum stonecrop (Sedum cauticola)
- As a stylish moss replacement: star moss, milkweed (Sagina subulata)
Use just a few of these plants that you incorporate widely into your garden design. If you use the stone element in the form of a small dry stone wall, typical plants are welcome for greenery. These include sun worshipers, such as stoneweed (Alyssum) or golden sheaf (Achillea filipendulina). In partially shaded areas, dwarf lady's mantle (Alchemilla faeroensis var. pumila) and gold droplets (Chiastophyllum oppositifolium) stand out.
Tip
The Zen garden concept is perfect for creating a low-maintenance front garden. So that weeds don't bother you, please first lay a sturdy weed fleece (€22.00 on Amazon) with a thickness of at least 120 g/m².