Theme Garden Design Basics
Tips to get you
started
August 12, 2009
John Stuart
Leslie
You may have been thinking, “Gee, this spiritual garden idea is great, but how do I go about creating one?
I think I would like to do a Japanese Garden theme, so now how do I start the process? Should I
just go out into the yard and start digging a hole for the
pond?”
Designing a garden in any space can be
challenging, but the approach to the design depends on what you are starting with, the canvas
of your area in which the garden will be built. You may have a completely un-landscaped,
brand new home type setting. You may have an existing landscape that needs remodeling. You
could also have an acceptable garden but would like to embellish it with the spiritual themes
we are discussing.
Perhaps the easiest thing to do would be to
embellish an existing yard, so that is what we will focus on for this
discussion.
First, you need to do some simple
planning:
First, select a “theme" or "style" (see related articles
below)
So here is a secret way to fast track the process
of bypassing the site analysis stage and get right to designing an area based upon your
theme:
Tip #1: Based on your theme, make a list of the
elements that will reflect the theme whether they are simply colors, materials, objects or
symbols. Make a list of various plants that reflect your theme and how they can be
incorporated into your yard, and perhaps replace existing ones that don’t belong or support
the theme.
Tip #2: What objects can accentuate the space? Perhaps a Buddha for a
meditation theme, or a fountain for a feng shui theme, or a Star of David mosaic designed into
the flooring pattern of the main sitting area.
Tip #3: In keeping with your theme, select one
detail of the overall idea you are thinking about and focus on that one detail. Then create
the rest of the space around it. It would ideally be the focal point of your space, but could
also be say, the symbolic meaning of a stepping stone path in which the path defines the
spaces composing the entire yard, or the “detail” could be the cardinal directions so that
the positioning of objects or entrances and exits, etc. could be in alignment with the Winter
solstice or other directions.
See how that exercise works for you and often you
will find that the rest of the design falls into place. If it doesn’t, perhaps select another
detail and start again. In this way, your theme will come through rather than appearing as
though you are merely “decorating” your space with your theme
elements.
Related Articles:
What's Your Garden
Style?
Creating a Garden
Sanctuary
 John Stuart Leslie is creator and founder of My Sacred Garden. A website
that blends the mind, body & spiritual lifestyle of the conscious consumer with the
pursuit of gardens, gardening, design and art. He holds a Master's degree in Landscape
Architecture and has been a landscape designer and contractor since
1982.
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