Plants in such a feature are rooted in well laid out rock clusters, where normal trees and shrubs are used.
Rock gardens are a common feature in both commercial and private residential landscapes.
Plants in such a feature are rooted in well laid out rock clusters, where normal trees and shrubs are used.
In the land of Zen (Japan), these potted trees were developed mainly by the “masters” as another way to meditate and balance the chakras along with the time. Chakras are an Asian tradition representing the “seven centres in one’s body in which the energy flows through”.
“In Kenya, the same art can be incorporated in the backyard or balcony to achieve a similar ‘meditative effect’,” says a bonsai and landscape expert, Prachi Shah.
Little care is however needed, including:
Selection of right type of rocks
It should have a lot of rocks, ideally pebble. The type of rocks will determine what plants to be placed on it. The use of vertical rocks over horizontal ones is preferred as this will allow the roots below to spread, giving the plant more breathing space to get nutrients.
A cracked vertical rock gives a “falling off from the cliff” look thus giving character to the garden, with a natural wear and tear effect.
Mrs Shah said it is important, to keep the bottom of the rock narrow and vice-versa on the top to allows the spread of the roots on all sides.
“This allows the plant to sprout out because the roots will spread nicely on rocks from all sides as it grows,” she said.
Choosing tree style
Some tree styles that would go well with a rock garden include; semi cascade, cascade and windswept. This is usually done after choosing the vertical rock with the crack.
“For beginners you can try formal or upright style which is very easy to do and goes well with the above. Other plants can be selected as per need,” said Mrs Shah.
Placement
To create a beautiful bonsai rock garden, you must strike the right balance between the rocks and plants used in that type of garden.
But go easy on the rocks. Too many of them will distort the intended aesthetic value of a rock garden by making it appear dry. “The trick is to balance the height of the plants used in the rock garden,” she said.
“Do not put same height of plants on one side making it the focal point. Disperse all tall and short plants equally for a natural hilly effect.”
Maintenance
Maintaining this garden depends on the type and maturity of plants chosen.
They need more care as roots are exposed thus hindering nutrition from all the roots like in other plants.
Recommended plants
Recommended plants are those which have long structures and which throw ariel roots like the ficus and Indian banyan tree.
“Pine and maple plants would look fantastic in this style provided right measurements are used in placing them and right equation for size is maintained. Never use the desert rose,” said Mrs Shah.
