zen & display garden
A true Zen Garden is a Japanese minimalist garden. We have used Zen influence for this garden but have introduced water, not normally used, but this fits in well with the surrounding gardens.
The main plants used here are Japanese maples, a creeping moss-like plant called Sagina,
dwarf bamboo and dwarf mondo grass.
This Zen garden, when completed, will have a building with bench seating installed to enable visitors to sit in a still environment with space to relax and reflect. Zen gardens are often used for meditation. The site for Alowyn Gardens was chosen in the Yarra Valley as it experiences definite seasons throughout the year, having a classic cold Winter, with below zero temperatures, usually a wet Spring and hot Summers to ripen off corn, apples, quinces and pumpkins. The Autumn in the Yarra Valley is classic, with warm days, calm conditions and cool dewy nights, perfect for beautiful Autumn colour.
When the gardens are fully completed there will be up to 15 different garden spaces, courtyards and pond areas. The purpose is to inspire our visitors with plant and space combinations, potted plants, solar fountains, sculpture, ponds, paths and pavving and to take ideas home to use in large and small gardens. These gardens have been designed to demonstrate what can be achieved in a small space by connecting a number of design features. Some of the spaces are small, some large, but all have interesting elements to them, and can be repeated anywhere and in any combination to suit a space.
