Zen Garden ?

What is the significance of placement of stones over rocks? If you were to have it, how would you design them? Does color of the rock placed on top of the white ground gravel matters? If so why?

Zen Garden ?
Zen Garden Elements


Carefully positioned stones represent islands in a river of finely groomed gravel or sand. The rhythmic lines are raked in flowing patterns around the large, asymmetrical stones. This intimate composition can also be read as mountains rising from moss. Expanses of white gravel are seen in other types of spaces in Japanese landscape design, such as entrances to palaces; in the Shinto tradition it symbolizes purified space. The elements in the garden are placed intuitively and according to the principles of fung shui and geomancy, practices that help locate the best positions for things along the earth’s energy lines, and tap into the landscape’s spiritual forces.





To make one:


Level a rectangular area and clear it of weeds.


Find the stones you wish to arrange and determine which side of the stone should be facing upright. Stones are thought to have a ‘happy face’, so turn the stones around and consider them at various angles.


Stones look best when partially buried in the soil.





Traditional Zen compositions have 5 groups of 3 stones, arranged asymmetrically. But do what works for your garden.





Create an edge around the whole composition with brick, natural stone or rot resistant lumber.





Lay down permeable landscaping fabric, cutting holes for the stones, and stake it to the ground.





Pour 2 to 4 inches of sand or small gravel evenly over the fabric.


Rake and Enjoy!