Do the simple and minimalist gardens appeal to you? Want to know more about the Japanese stone gardens? Also, eager to learn which stone garden ornaments can be used in your garden to bring the same appeal home? All the questions have been covered and touched upon in this article.

First of all, what is a stone garden? A stone garden simply put is a minimalist garden with rocks as the most important objects and emphasis lies on fluid texture and less greenery. In around 592 A.D., this garden style with rocks, water, and trees originated in Japan. During the seventh century, the gardens saw some Chinese elements in the form of fishes, birds, and animals. Hills and streams of water came in the eighth century with Korean influence.

The stone garden ornaments chiefly consist of natural elements. One among them is water. Water is the life and soul of Zen gardens. Water can be there in the form of lakes or artificial pools. Waterfalls are also common features with rocks and pebbles scattered to give a natural and realistic touch.

Next, the stones are of paramount importance. The stones are not merely stones but they reflect various moods, spiritual and natural aesthetics. The arrangement of these stones is not just a piece of artwork, but a spiritually inward practice. In ancient times, arranging these stones in place, garden keepers would meditate around them.

Stone gardens have five varieties of stones, namely status stone, low vertical stone, flat stone, ox stone, and arching stone. Each is different in shape and has a different alignment. For example, the ox stone can be likened to the trunk of an animal. The curved shape looks like an animal hiding behind a bush.

Although stone gardens are barren and lack greenery, they are not completely devoid of trees and plants. Garden decor consists of trees with different purposes- some for bringing standalone figures in the middle of the background or bushes being grown in the sides of waterfalls.

Garden lanterns are another garden decoration item. Stone or copper lanterns are sources of lightning as well as agents of beauty. They are pretty common sights in Japanese temples and gardens.

Next, in stone garden ornaments is a garden bridge. Garden bridges were a relatively new inclusion in the Japanese garden concept. Extension bridges act as agents of transporting people from one part to another. But the basic concept is creating unity and harmony between man and nature. These bridges can be made of stone, wood, and even bamboo.

The stone garden ornaments are just aids to recreate nature on a small canvas. Meant for meditation, these gardens can act as major sources of recreation and relaxation. Extra color and hue are avoided as they are seen as distractions. The inclusion of natural elements gives it an informal aspect.

Garden decoration using stone garden ornaments is, therefore, very minimal and lowkey. The emphasis is on the inwardness with Nature. Additional elements like pagodas and garden statues can be inducted. But nothing more than that. Simplicity is the key to stone gardens.