Asian gardens are well known for the relaxed, meditative mood they inspire. You can create the same serene atmosphere in your home with a tabletop tranquility garden.
For your serenity garden, choose plants that have soft, rounded leaves, such as the lacy maidenhair fern or the gently tapered Boston fern. Plants can be arranged in groups around the room or combined in a single pot.
The most important element of the tranquility garden is color. Use plants only in various shades of green for a soft, muted effect. Choose a smooth, sleek container that also has a muted color, to avoid any jarring elements. Without the distraction of highly contrasting colors, the eye focuses instead on the differences in shape, height, texture and shades of green.
- Start with a simple, shallow container that has drainage holes and a soft, toned-down color. Cover the holes in the pot with a piece of screening or mesh and add potting soil until the container is about two-thirds full.
- Select plants with various heights. Try a tall dieffenbachia (figure A), a medium-height maidenhair fern, low-growing blue fescue, and a simple moss such as Scotch or Irish moss. Arrange carefully in the container.
- Add potting soil to within a couple inches of the rim and tamp down.
- Place decorative river rocks around the base of the plants (figure B).
- Water until the soil feels damp.
This arrangement does well in bright, indirect light. The plants will also appreciate frequent misting.
Caution: Dieffenbachia is poisonous if eaten, so keep away from pets and children.
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