Garden :: Using Stones to Add Beauty in Your Garden

There is something so calming about stones in a garden.  While living in Japan, I grew to appreciate old stones used throughout a garden, such as a stone pagoda covered in green moss, or the stepping stones used in a pathway to a temple.  White sand and gravel had long been a feature of Japanese gardens. In the Shinto religion, it was used to symbolize purity, and was used around shrines, temples, and palaces. In Zen gardens, it represents water, or, like the white space in Japanese paintings, emptiness and distance. (Source: Wikipedia).  Years ago, I brought back three large gray stones I found along the beach in northern California that reside by my front doorstep that I enjoy each time I come home.  And according to feng shui principals, a gentle flow of energy is a must for a good feng shui garden. Step stones add a new dimension to the meandering flow in the garden by emphasizing that life is a series of stepping stones. It is a reminder of the one day, one step at a time healing philosophy that is about conscious attention to each step. Create this feng shui flow of energy by choosing from a variety of stepping stone designs to let your garden enjoy this healing energy. (Source: About.com). Whether you prefer a Zen garden that embraces rocks throughout or adding a few key grounding stones throughout your garden – you will find them to be a nice addition to your garden.

 

 

 

 

The Beauty of the Zen Garden:

The Japanese really did create such beauty with the Zen garden.  I was fortunate to visit several of these type of gardens while living in Japan after college, and I can tell you the beauty of them is quite breathtaking.  You are immediately drawn in to the simplicity yet interesting details in the Zen gardens.  You can’t help but become relaxed after spending some time in a Zen rock garden.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

 

 

 

 

A Water Feature:

Running water is another feature encouraged to include in your garden according to Feng Shui practices.  It helps to move energy throughout ones garden and into your home.  Water features can include a moving bird bath or small fountain.  We are planning on getting a new one soon after our puppy thought it would be fun to eat the motor from our rock fountain.  I really loved to see the birds come visit during the day to get a drink from our fountain so that is on our list of things to get once he is out of the “eating everything in sight” phase.  Image found on Pinterest.

 

 

 

A Stone Walkway Takes you Back in Time:

Doesn’t this stone pathway look amazing!  I love how you feel like you are taking a step back in time.  This garden feels very timeless to me and peaceful.  I enjoy seeing a mix of trees such as a Pine tree mixed with bamboo.  And those stone planters are amazing.  You can do a Google search to find suppliers near you. Image found on Pinterest.

 

 

 

 

A Modern Garden:

We see this style of garden at the more trendy hot spots in southern California such as The Camp and at the SoHo Shopping Center.  I think because it a) looks cool and b) would be fairly easy to maintain as succulents prefer to be left alone (I am speaking from experience).  Image found at Studio Blog.com and Pinterest.

 

 

 

A Stone Bench Creates a Calm Reservoir:

Having a place to rest in your garden is excellent feng shui. It helps you absorb silence and deeply nourishing energy, and allows you to just relax and Be in the moment.  Something we need to replenish our selves! Image found on Pinterest.

 

 

 

Moss Adds Some Wonderful Colors:

In Japanese gardens you will see moss growing freely throughout most gardens.  I love how the green moss adds some color to the garden and the contrast with the stones is quite beautiful. Image courtesy of The Lovely Plants.

 

 

 

 A Centerpiece in Your Garden:

I like how they used rocks and cement to make this succulent and rock display.  This would look amazing next to your back porch or even as a centerpiece in the middle of your garden.  That is if you don’t have little ones!  As I mentioned, succulents prefer to be left alone and don’t require much water.  Image found on Pinterest.

 

Do you have a fascination with stones as well and use them in your garden?

 

1