Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 7 July 2015 | Page 52

Rock gardens can bring a natural, rugged beauty to
any landscape and are particularly ideal for steep
gardens or those with difficult growing conditions like
intense sun, high winds and drought. The trick is to

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counterbalance a combination of different rock
textures, styles and shades with a wide range
of common rock garden plants in an array of
complementary hues such as wildflowers. This is
neither a clean nor intricate design, so experiment
with layered looks, varied scales and vivid bursts
of colour that combine mounded plants and
groundcovers with various-sized shrubs to provide
different levels of interest. A mixture of conifers,
shrubs and perennials works beautifully to create a
lush landscape whilst the use of boulders, pebbles,
bricks and slate tiles, for winding pathways, lend
natural texture and additional drama.
Japanese Gardens
Intimate and intricate Japanese gardens and are
perhaps one of the most famous ethnic themes.
Central is a teahouse, pavilion or pagoda, which acts
as a focal point and entertainment area. Japanese
legend has it that evil spirits can only travel in a
straight line and zigzag hedges and trees pruned into
quirky shapes help defend against negativity.
A sense of mystery and surprise is essential, so create
a winding path leading your eye past vignettes that
are shielded from view with bamboo, an essential
Japanese material ideal for fencing and partitions.

Soft neutral shades of greens, browns and oranges
offset by supple lighting from stone lanterns and
contrasting textures creates interest and a wonderful
low-maintenance zen. The sound of moving water
from ponds with colourful koi and goldfish adds to
the soothing nature, whilst year round shade from
conifers provides undis \