COMPONENTS OF GARDEN

Garden have plantation but it have many other components which together give a garden an aesthetic. We can broadly classify them into Plant components and Non-plant components. The common plant components of a garden are discussed here.

I: Plant Components

1. Lawn

A lawn can be defined as the green carpet for a landscape. It is a basic feature of any type of garden. The lawn provides a perfect setting for a flower bed, a border, a shrubbery or a specimen tree or a shrub.

1.   Shrubbery

Growing of shrubs in a group is called shrubbery. It is of two types

(i)  Pure shrubbery: It refers to planting of entire selected area with a single species

(ii) Mixed shrubbery: It has many different species of shrubs.

2.  Flower beds and borders

Annuals and herbaceous perennials are grown in flower beds to provide mass effect of different colors. Borders are continuous beds of more length than width containing plants of one kind only.

3.  Rockery

A rockery or a rock garden is the arrangement of rocks with plants growing in the crevices. Its bold ruggedness is a pleasant contrast to the softness of the flowers. The stones help the plants in retaining their moisture and keeping their roots cool. In plains, on the sunny side some of the cacti and succulents and plants like Lantana, Setcreasea, Verbena, etc., can be grown successfully. Ferns and some indoor plants also look natural on the rockery slopes in shade.

Rocks are also valued in garden design for their interesting shapes. The range and variability of shapes and size give them a sculptural quality. Those with natural curves and smooth outlines are more valuable than others. Their surface texture is another attractive feature. Cobbles and pebbles found in water courses are generally smooth.

4.  Carpet beds

The art of growing ground cover plants closely and trimming them to a design or alphabetical letters is called a carpet bed. Colourful foliage as edge plants is found to be more suitable for this purpose.

Plants for carpet beds should possess the following characteristics:

a.      Perennial in nature

b.      Should have quick recuperative quality

c.      Should withstand frequent pruning

d.      Should withstand summer sun and heavy rains

e.      Should withstand drought e.g. Alternenthera

5.  Topiary

It is the art of developing the plant or training the plant into different forms or shapes like animals, birds, arches, etc. The plant should be amenable for repeated pruning and also flexible with more vegetative growth. e.g. For hills - Cupressus macrocarpa, Pinus patul; for plains - Casuarina sp., Caesalphinia coriari, Bougainvillea sp., Clerodendron sp.

6.  Trophy

It is the arrangement of colorful potted plants in different tiers around a central object which may be a tree trunk, lamp post or a pillar.

7.  Hedges

With the help of plants, live hedges can be formed and used as a fence or a green wall. Acalypha, Casuarina, Divi divi (Caesalpinia coriaria), etc., are plants suitable for hedging. Hedges help to screen a particular site or building or hiding of unwanted places. They help to partition the garden into several parts.

8.  Edges

These are perennial herbs often used as a short border for lawn or ground cover or dividing beds from roads, walks or paths. These herbs often stand frequent trimming e.g. Eupatorium, Alternanthera, Duranta, Dwarf marigold, etc.

II: Non-plant Components

The commonly used non-plant garden components are discussed here.

1.   Arches

Arches are supports provided for climbers. It should be at least two meter height and one metre wide. The breadth depends upon the path over which it is constructed but should not be less than 1 metre. Arches may be made of wood, metal, stones or concrete structures.

2.  Pergolas

A pergola is formed by connecting a series of arches over a considerable length. Usually flowering creepers are trained over the arches. A pergola is a useful resting place during the summer months in tropical regions. The path below remains cool due to the creepers growing above. Below the pergola, concrete or wooden benches may be constructed for sitting.

3.  Trellises

A garden trellis makes the most of limited space with a vertical display of lush greenery and colorful blooms.

Uses of a garden trellis are :

• Creates a privacy screen in a garden or on a patio or balcony

• Provides support for large vines and trailing plants

• Screens an unattractive area of the landscape

• Provides shelter from wind

• Provides shade for sitting area

Climbers such as climbing roses, Clematis, English ivy, passion flower, etc., are suitable for trellises.

4.  Islands

Various types of islands are made in garden lakes and ponds. Islands are decorated with trees, flowers, several other features and connected with bridges. Islands are a very important feature in Japanese gardens. It is no doubt a special representation of nature and a retreat for quiet meditation.

5.  Garden walls

Garden walls serve many purposes in different situations. They provide privacy and security, screen out wind and noise. They can also be constructed to observe the ugly sights in the garden.

6.  Garden fences

Fencing provides privacy, separates different areas of gardens and ensures safety. They have almost infinite possibilities and variations in design, material and usefulness. Fences may be solid or open. Materials like wood, bamboo, wire, wire-netting and chain link fences may be used for fencing. Painted fences are an additional attraction in the garden.

7.  Foot paths

Foot paths facilitate movement within the garden area. Foot paths may be winding, circular or straight. Spinal or herring borne designs can also be adopted. Winding foot path conceals the components beyond and creates curiosity. Straight foot paths make one walk fast. A vista at the end of a straight foot path adds beauty to the scenery.

8.  Roads

The different locations of landscape over an area require proper roads. In a small garden, foot path will serve the purpose. Roads are constructed in larger gardens like dam site gardens, public gardens and botanical gardens.

Such roads should be straight in formal gardens and with curvatures in informal gardens. The road gradient should be 1 to 30 for effective traction. Width may be 3.3-5 m. Drainage gutters should be provided on both sides. The road may be made with single metal with black top.

9.  Arbours

Garden arbours are an attractive and very functional addition to landscape that will allow exploring the vertical dimension of garden. Arbours come in a variety of shapes from rounded or gently curved tops, to linear, flat tops to suit any garden style and space. An arbour, or pergola, can also cover a larger area such as a patio or balcony.

The following are the uses of garden arbours.

• Add vertical interest to the garden

• Create a transition from house to garden or from one garden area to another

• Extend or integrate architectural details from house or garage to garden

• Provide a shaded area in the garden

• Provide shelter from wind

• Provide support for vines

• Screen an unattractive area of the landscape

• Create privacy

10.    Ponds:

The geometric shape does not live up to the Japanese tradition and hence all ponds are of irregular shape. The banks are generally bordered with stone piling work in a regular or an irregular fashion. In olden days the bottom used to be made impervious by puddling clay. But now-a-days concrete-bottomed ponds are also used. The ponds are generally fed by a stream or a waterfall.

11.    Waterfalls:

The presence of waterfalls in Japanese gardens is another attempt in imitating nature. A waterfall may be made more effective by manipulating it to drop in two or three levels. To make the waterfalls dignified and natural, large-sized stones are arranged around these. The dense planting of evergreens around the waterfall also symbolizes mountain scenery where actually a waterfall naturally belongs.

12.    Fountains:

Often natural fountains are provided near the foot of the hill, on the hillside or in the forest. Often water is conveyed from a hillside by means of bamboo-piping.

13.    Streams:

Small streams are arranged most naturally with natural stones bordering the banks. The flow of water in the stream may be manipulated by changing the inclination. Sometimes it may be as fast as a mountain rivulet or like a smooth-flowing river of the plains.

14.   Bridges

Bridges are essential constructed features in a garden to link ponds and rivers. The design and colour of the bridge should merge with the landscape design; always a rustic design is preferred. Bridges should be structurally sound to withstand traffic. The culverts along the main road and foot paths also should be rustic. Bridges made of single or double trees fallen across a stream or a single long stone, arched bamboo bridges will serve better in informal gardens.

15.   Garden adornments

There are several garden adornments and accessories such as bird bath, sun clock, fountains, garden seats, ornamental posts, pillars, etc., which make the garden more enjoyable.

           i.       Garden-seats:

The garden-seats should not look out of place. They should be comfortable, durable and artistic looking. Seats made out of wooden or fabric material are comfortable to sit compared to those built in stone or iron. The wood used is to be treated with a preservative and painted with moisture proof chemicals. Iron or stone or concrete seats get easily heated in the summer months and become cool in the winter months, thus making them uncomfortable to sit. Concrete or stone seats are preferable in public parks as they are durable in nature.

         ii.       Ornamental tubs, urns and vases: The tub or the vase can be made of timber or preferably of brick, concrete or carved out of stone, which can be kept permanently or temporarily.

These can be positioned over ornamental pillars, at the end of paved paths, near the gate or near the staircase of the main entrance. Ornamental urns made of metal with carvings outside look beautiful in the terrace, near the staircase or even inside the house.

        iii.       Bird bath:

It is a large, bow-shaped container generally made of concrete, fixed over a pillar or column, which is about 1m tall. Water is stored in the bowl for the birds to come and drink or bath in it. Bird baths may be constructed at the quiet corner of the garden.

        iv.       Sun dials:

It can be used as a focal point in a garden, can form a centerpiece of a formal flower bed, and can be placed in the centre or at the end of the lawn or at the junction or termination of path. It is also a good feature in a sunken-garden. The sundial should be positioned in a place where the shadow from a tree or building does not fall for a long duration.

         v.       Floral clocks:

These are huge clocks generally operated by electricity, having huge hands for showing the seconds, minutes and hours. The machinery of the clock is concealed in an underground chamber with only the hands showing above the ground against a dial of carpet bedding plants or flowerbeds. Instead of live plants, the dial can be decorated with various coloured pebbles.