ZEN GARDENING - Softcover

Sunniva Harte

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1862054584 ISBN 13: 9781862054585

Publisher: Pavilion, 2002

Synopsis

Reflects the increasing interest in Eastern philosophies on the creation of natural balance in the garden; Provides detailed practical examples showing how to imbue your garden with the elements of harmony and peace; Gardens inspired by Zen are the ideal antidote to today's busy lifestyle - an oasis of calm and tranquillity - and require very little maintenance; Zen gardens are for contemplation, reflecting the beauty of nature and the aesthetic sense of the gardener. Originally created in Japanese monasteries around the twelfth century, their beauty comes from their simplicity and the precise arrangement of rocks, gravel, water and plants. Using as few or as many plants as required, Zen gardens also provide an eco-friendly alternative to the old-fashioned lawn, often requiring little or no water. For those with a limited area, Zen gardens create the illusion of space and freedom. Zen Gardening simplifies the principles of this art and reveals the meaning of the different elements, putting every aspect of creating a Zen garden at the hands of today's gardeners. Zen gardening need not mean ripping up your garden and starting from scratch. Nor need it involve replacing your lawn with white gravel. It may simply be that a dark patch of foliage needs a powerful white stone to provide yang and balance the view. This beautiful book includes chapters on Elements and their Symbolism, Water - Creating Balance and Tranquillity, Rocks and Stones - Creating Space and Energy and Sand and Gravel - Creating Simplicity and Serenity. There are also chapters on Plants for the Zen Garden, Architectural Elements and Ornaments. giving practical advice and showing how modern gardens can be transformed into beautiful, harmonious spaces.

About this title

Review:

Classical Zen gardens were designed by Japanese monks and are now revered as national monuments. Gardens that have been designed according to the principles of Feng Shui are places where contemplation and tranquility are possible so providing a haven from the stresses of modern day living. This book aims to show how Zen gardening can put us back in touch with the elements and restore a vital natural equilibrium to our environment.

Sunniva Harte carefully puts the art of Zen gardening into context by explaining the intellectual and emotional starting points from which it originated and showing how the Japanese view of nature differs from Western thinking. We are shown how key elements such as water, plants, rocks and architecture have a symbolic as well as aesthetic value reminding mankind of his place in the natural order of the universe. Overall this is a well put-together, chunky, handsome hardback with some great hints and tips about creating peace in our busy world. Nicola Hollins

About the Author:

Sunniva Harte is a talented garden writer and photographer, and author of The Perfect Country Garden (Conran Octopus). Her very first article, for Gardens Illustrated, won an award from the Garden Writers' Guild. She lives in East Sussex.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pavilion
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1862054584
• ISBN 13: 9781862054585
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160