WHAT ARE OPEN GARDENS ?.(76).

 WHAT ARE OPEN GARDENS

Image 1: Urban Open Roof Garden.

Open Gardens:

An open garden refers to a garden space that is designed to be accessible to the public, offering a chance for people to explore a wide variety of plants, landscapes, and designs. It can be a private garden opened for public viewing on specific days, or a public garden maintained by local authorities or organisations. Open gardens are often part of conservation, educational, and community engagement initiatives. They are usually designed with consideration for aesthetics, ecological balance, and providing an environment for relaxation and enjoyment.

Types of Spatial Designs for Gardens:

The spatial design of a garden refers to the arrangement and organisation of its features, pathways, and plantings. Here are several types of spatial designs commonly used in garden planning:

1. Formal Gardens:

   • Design: Characterised by strict geometric shapes, symmetry, and orderly lines. Features like straight pathways, clipped hedges, fountains, and topiary are common.
   • Materials: Gravel, brick, stone, and paved paths, and typically formal structures like trellises and statues.
   • Plant Selection: Symmetrical plantings, hedges (e.g., boxwood), topiary plants, and flowers planted in geometric patterns (e.g., roses, lavender, tulips).

2. Informal Gardens:

   • Design: Looser, more natural layouts that mimic the wildness of nature. Curving pathways, meandering water features, and abundant plant life.
   • Materials: Natural stone, wood, and gravel, used in a way that blends with the landscape.
   • Plant Selection: Native or wild plants, perennial flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees that create a more organic feel (e.g., wildflowers, ferns, daisies).

3. Cottage Gardens:

   • Design: A relaxed, homely, and colourful approach to garden design. It often combines flowers, vegetables, and herbs in a somewhat chaotic, yet charming manner.
   • Materials: Cobblestones, reclaimed materials, wooden fences, and rustic furniture.
   • Plant Selection: A mix of flowering plants, vegetables, herbs, and climbing plants (e.g., roses, foxgloves, sunflowers, mint, tomatoes).

4. Zen Gardens (Japanese Gardens):

   • Design: Minimalist, focused on simplicity, tranquillity, and meditation. Features like raked gravel, rocks, bonsai trees, and small water features.
   • Materials: Gravel or sand, rocks, bamboo, wood, stone lanterns, and water basins.
   • Plant Selection: Simple, low-maintenance plants like moss, bamboo, Japanese maples, and ornamental grasses.

5. Sculptural Gardens:

   • Design: Focused on integrating art or sculpture with the garden's natural elements. Sculptures or other artistic elements act as focal points within the garden.
   • Materials: Sculptural materials like metal, stone, wood, and ceramics.
   • Plant Selection: Plants chosen to complement or frame the artwork, such as low-maintenance plants or those that contrast with the sculptures (e.g., grasses, ground cover plants, and ornamental shrubs).

6. Wildlife Gardens:

   • Design: Designed to attract and support local wildlife, including birds, insects, and pollinators. It often involves planting native species, providing habitats, and creating a natural ecosystem.
   • Materials: Natural stone for pathways, water features, birdhouses, and feeders.
   • Plant Selection: Native plants, wildflowers, and plants that provide food or shelter for local wildlife (e.g., butterfly bushes, bird-friendly trees, milkweed).

7. Tropical Gardens:

   • Design: Focused on lush vegetation with a tropical or subtropical aesthetic, often including water features like ponds or waterfalls.
   • Materials: Natural stone, wood, and bamboo, with the inclusion of water elements like pools or fountains.
   • Plant Selection: Large-leafed, fast-growing plants like banana trees, palms, ginger, and tropical flowering plants (e.g., hibiscus, bougainvillea).

8. Sustainable or Permaculture Gardens:

   • Design: Emphasises sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and working with nature rather than against it. Often includes features like composting, rainwater harvesting, and edible plantings.
   • Materials: Recycled materials, sustainable wood, and natural stones. Rainwater collection systems and composting bins are typical.
   • Plant Selection: Native plants, vegetables, herbs, and drought-tolerant species. The focus is often on edible plants like tomatoes, kale, and strawberries, as well as plants that support pollinators and soil health.

Choice of Materiality in Garden Design:

Material selection plays a crucial role in setting the tone and functionality of the garden space. Here are some common material choices and their uses:

1. Hardscaping Materials:

   • Stone/Brick: Used for pathways, walls, and borders in both formal and informal gardens. Stone provides durability and a natural aesthetic.
   • Wood: Ideal for fences, decking, and trellises. Wood can provide warmth and texture, but it may need regular maintenance to prevent weathering.
   • Metal: Often used for gates, sculptures, and furniture. Materials like wrought iron or stainless steel are durable and versatile.
   • Gravel/Sand: Used for pathways, borders, and to create texture. Gravel is low-maintenance and can be used in informal, cottage, or zen gardens.
   • Concrete: Durable for paving, creating raised beds, or as a modern design element.
   • Bamboo: Common in Japanese and tropical gardens for fences, screens, or pathways.

2. Water Features:

   • Stone Basins, Fountains, and Ponds: Water features can be made from stone or ceramic and are often incorporated into gardens to create focal points or enhance the tranquil atmosphere.
   • Ceramic or Concrete Pots: Used for water features in smaller garden spaces.

3. Soft Landscaping (Plant Material):

   • Perennials vs. Annuals: Perennials are plants that come back year after year, whereas annuals need to be replanted each year. Perennials are often favoured for their sustainability, while annuals can provide a burst of colour.
   • Climbers and Vines: Often used for covering fences, trellises, or pergolas.
   • Ground Cover: Low-growing plants like creeping thyme, ivy, or moss can reduce the need for mulch and create a lush, green ground layer.

Plant Selection Based on Climate and Region:

• Tropical Gardens:
  • Palms, bananas, orchids, ginger, hibiscus, bougainvillea, ferns, and bird-of-paradise.
  • Suitable for hot, humid environments with regular rainfall.
• Dry/Arid Gardens:
  • Succulents (like aloe, agave), cacti, and drought-resistant shrubs and grasses.
  • Ideal for dry, hot climates with low rainfall.
• Temperate Gardens:
  • Lavender, roses, daisies, daffodils, and tulips.
  • These plants thrive in areas with moderate climates and can handle both warm summers and cool winters.
• Coastal Gardens:
  • Plants tolerant of salt and wind, such as sea buck-thorn, lavender, and coastal grasses.
  • Ideal for gardens near the sea or along coastal areas where saltwater and wind are prominent.

The design and plant selection for a garden depend heavily on the spatial vision, climate, and intended purpose of the space. Whether aiming for a formal, sculptural, or wildlife-focused garden, the materials used for paths, structures, and furniture will significantly influence the aesthetic and functionality. The right plant selection ensures that the garden flourishes and aligns with its environmental context, creating sustainable and beautiful outdoor spaces