Serene Surroundings
By Trina Rehberg

     New age, yoga, Zen…the buzz words these days might not make sense to everyone, but the focus of it all is simple: inner peace, that feeling that snaps into place when mind and body connect. Now think of your home - factor in clutter, screaming kids and a phone that won't stop ringing. Does inner peace come to mind? The fact is, bringing just an ounce of serenity to this scene couldn't hurt, and it might even make a believer out of those who dismiss it as a fad.

     In ancient times, the Chinese turned to nature to dissolve stress and bring them peace of mind. One means of doing this was by creating rock gardens, said to have a calming effect upon those who view them. Traditionally, they were a way to bring wilderness into the growing cities. The popularity of these beautiful, low-maintenance gardens spread through Japan and Europe and variations of early rock gardens can be found all over the world today.

     Carla Hrycyna of St. Mary's Nursery and Garden Centre Ltd. says that the tranquil feeling associated with rock gardens depends on your personal perspective. "It's in the eye of the beholder," she says. "With rock gardens, you can create something totally contained in its own little area. It can be very picturesque and pleasing to look at."

     All you need to begin are the three main components that make up a rock garden: rocks, water, and sand. Choose a location for your garden and a large container to build it in. You may also want to sketch a simple design before you get to work. Start with sand as a base and position your rocks in a pattern that varies in size. Set a tray of water in your garden and adjust the rocks so they surround it.

"With rock gardens, you can create
something totally contained in its own
little area. It can be very picturesque and
pleasing to look at." - Carla Hrycyna

     If you have a green thumb and you want to add another Asian-influenced element to the mix, try a bonsai tree - but be warned, they are finicky plants and will require care and patience on your part. Bonsais replicate the appearance of towering, aged trees that have been immensely weathered, but on a smaller scale. It can take years for them to achieve the proper form. Bonsais can be kept indoors during the winter months but they grow best in an outdoor environment, so be sure to transplant your tree when the weather gets warmer.

Appreciating the beauty of a bonsai
can even change how you perceive
other things in your life.

     However, the payoffs are incredible. Some say that appreciating the beauty of a bonsai can even change how you perceive other things in your life. They start as normal trees, which is why the ability to grow a contorted bonsai is considered an art form by many. Hrycyna suggests that trees of the juniper species, such as the blue chip juniper, be used in colder climates, as they are hardier trees that are more likely to withstand extreme temperatures.

     While bonsais can be created from seeds or cuttings, a novice can purchase starter plants that someone has already begun training. Their size can be maintained by pruning and pinching off new growth. Copper or aluminum wire can be used as a temporary measure to achieve the desired shape of tree.

     Don't get discouraged if your projects don't magically transform into what you've imagined them to be. Think of them as works in progress - getting there is half the fun and it can be therapeutic to arrange and rearrange details as you like them. While they may not bring you a sense of self-actualization, they might help you forget your worries, if only for a second, and provide the solace you've been longing for.

Sources:
St. Mary's Nursery and Garden Centre Ltd. (Carla Hrycyna)