Hot. Hot. Hot. We're smack dab in the middle of summer and a sizzling heat wave has rolled into the Northeast. Even in Vermont, yesterday's temperatures soared up near 100 degrees, and today's forecast holds no sign of relief. Come high summer, surrounded by bright sunshine, blowzy, full gardens and bold colors, I find myself longing for a break. What appeals to me most on a hot, sticky day is a quiet, shady nook filled with dark, green ferns and soothing simplicity. I've always been drawn to the peace and tranquility of Japanese garden design, and lately—surrounded by the chaos and clutter of New England cottage gardens—I have been turning to the Far East for inspiration. Much like an overstuffed reveler in the midst of holiday feasting, I long to cleanse my palate.
Minimalism. Understatement. Simplicity. The Japanese philosophy and design aesthetic known as wabi sabi is difficult to describe but almost impossible to miss. Gardens created in this traditional Japanese style stand in stark contrast to the visual jumble I've been experiencing in landscapes this summer. Although I find the casual, English-garden hodgepodge quite charming when visiting Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, when tending or living with a garden, I am easily overwhelmed by constant chaos. Likewise, when visiting dense urban areas, such as bright, noisy New York and traffic-congested Boston, I quickly become overstimulated and hit sensory overload. In city environments like these, a bit of mental respite is good for inner-balance, but it's often difficult to find. Much like a stroll through a dappled forest, or a walk alongside a peaceful lake, Japanese style gardens are conducive to both quiet contemplation and creative thought.
Although I am currently unable to hop a plane and immerse myself in the Zen gardens of Kyoto, I have been stealing moments in my hammock with a copy of Geeta K Mehta and Kimie Tada's beautiful book, Japanese Gardens. After an hour spent gazing upon photographs of moss-carpeted courtyards and blissful pools of raked stone, I am filled with a sense of cool, inner calm. Perhaps because privacy and personal space are such great luxuries in populous Japan, this culture has developed highly successful design techniques which master the art of spatial illusion. I have learned much about the basic principles of Japanese garden design from this gorgeous and inspirational book, and I look forward to one day applying them in minimalist gardens of my own. Japanese Gardens is a peaceful, verdant oasis on a hot, busy day.
Have you visited a Japanese tea garden? Does a Zen style landscape appeal to you?
Michaela grew up gardening, studying plants, and picking organic produce on the family farm. When she isn't spreading compost or pruning shrubs, she can usually be found writing articles or giving seminars on all things gardening. Michaela has worked as a gardening professional for 15 years and is author of the popular blog, The Gardener’s Eden.
