Japanese Zen Gardens

With life becoming fast and further complicated every day, the pursuit of making a corner of the world as a sanctuary is significant. There is a perfect fit in Japanese Zen gardens, for their pattern is part of a sparse design, and their philosophical foundation is about serenity. Originally, the gardens cultivated within the frame of gardens for Buddhism are more than a marvelous show of an interesting view, but an important spot for meditating and thinking. Whether you are interested in building a Zen garden in your backyard or you are just a fan of the stunning and meaningful concept of these beautiful Japanese gardens, this article will take you walking throughout the basics of what Zen gardens are all about, their components and how they can be created and added into your homes.

What is a Japanese Zen Garden?
A Japanese Zen garden in the form of a Karesansui or a dry landscape garden, is an artifical composition of rocks, water, moss, pruned trees, and plants. The centrepiece, though, is gravel or sand that is spread into patterns that look like waves because of raking. Compared to the conventional garden where elaborate plant and blossoming flowers are utilized, Zen gardens contain symbolic features of nature. All of the components are used with purpose, while the general concept of the environment is simple and balanced.
These gardens are heavily associated with Zen Buddhism and the garden is preferably situated in Zen temples. But, because of their relatively simple shape, they would be appropriate for the private residence, courtyard or city landscape. The main goal is to provide a passive wash of positive thoughts, to offer a quiet place to look at the interface between order and chaos within and without – a place of meditation.

Why Build a Zen Garden?
Incorporation of the Zen garden has more benefits that are not said in terms of the pleasing looks. Here are a few reasons to build your own:
Stress Relief: Their main feature is an emphasis on an environment characterized by calmness and relaxation that will let individuals employ zen to the maximum. That’s why raking gravel into such geometric patterns is also actually a form of meditation.
Space for Meditation: For those that meditate or participate in mindfulness a Zen garden can also be used to create the ideal atmosphere for this practice.
Minimal Maintenance: In contrast to any ordinary gardens, Zen gardens are very low on water and require almost negligible effort to maintain. There are no many plants in them and no need for pruning or watering quite often which makes them environment friendly.
Aesthetically Timeless: A Zen garden can never become old-fashioned as the idea behind it is to bring a bare necessity in a home. It is harmonizes well with a number of architectural themes ranging from the more contemporary styles to the classic styles.
Personal Growth: Creating and maintaining a Zen garden, also known as a winding path garden or Japanese stroll garden, is never-ending and all about perfection – or the pursuit of it, anyway, since none of us is perfect.
After reading about the why let us move on to the how by analyzing the important components of a Japanese Zen garden.

Key Elements of a Zen Garden


Zen garden making is a process that for the creation of this kind of garden the rules of proportions, horizontality and verticality, and the symbols of stones should be considered. They all have deeper meanings. Here are the essential elements:
Gravel or Sand
The most endowment of a Zen garden is gravel or sand depending on the designers preference. In raked patterns it depicts water fall, or the wave form on the surface of a water body. Almost every movement and action at the shore is showcased for aesthetic value: the constant raking of the sand mimics a specific path of achieving peace of mind. It is a practice of patience, mindfulness and consequent reflection.
Tip for Your Garden: Probably, use of lighter shade of the gravel or sand will allow clearer disparities of the raked lines and the stones. Try out the different designs of the rake in order to make different patterns that describe different kinds of water movement.
Rocks
In Zens’ gardens stones are arranged as islands, mountains or animals with connotation to overstability and longevity. Their position is important because they are always set an odd number of pieces (three, five, seven and so on) to emphasize the roughness of organic shapes. Main larger rocks create the majority of the image, while retaliary smaller rocks are located around them to maintain the symmetry.
Tip for Your Garden: Choose various rocks ranging from small to big and of various texture. Try to position them differently at the beginning in order to determine the best working out as even minor changes of position can drastically alter the atmosphere of the garden.

Moss
In the case of the gardens, moss gives the place the feel of being soft, old and still. It is also represents the acceptance of the naturae, as the mosses take time to grow and covers up the materials in an imperfection way without any criticism. In the shaded part of the garden moss is applicable which gives the additional dimension to the garden. This film is beautiful to watch because its green color stands out of sandy and stony colors of the desert.
Tip for Your Garden: It depends where you place it, you can in apply moss along rocks or use it in places that are shady most of the times. Make sure to keep the moss damp, as you would when you steam them, which is helpful in dry weather.
Pruned Trees and Shrubs
The plants placed in Zen gardens are living beings that have carefully groomed look to them to create an appearance of artificiality. These may be Japanese maples, pines, or bamboo etc. They are trained or cut to skinny shapes that are complementary to the general smoothness of the garden. Even the act of pruning is exercise in one’s own self control and awareness, which are attributes of Zen.
Tip for Your Garden: Select plants that grow slowly so that you can prune them as often as you wish without hurting them. Trim branches as naturally as possible because this garden seems to have natural forms of wind sculpting.
Water Features
While old style Zen garden have no water at all, modern versions may include small water designs such as pond, artificially made waterfall or bamboo water pump. Water also has a meaning of water renewal, the state of water flow also helps for the garden to be calm.
Tip for Your Garden: This is a great reminder that any home water feature design, no matter how large, can make quite the statement. Just a basic bamboo fountain or a stream of water falling would add the required amount of noise that enhances the experience of a meditative environment.

Bridges and Pathways
Transitional objects are familiar to people as bridges and stepping stones which shall be described as the change in conditions, or transition in general. In a traditional Zen garden they urge guests to stroll especially taking time to survey the surroundings.
Tip for Your Garden: Planet: Trails have got to be made of natural material, for instance, stones or even timbered bridges. Organise them in such a manner as would require the user to be slower in order for the user to be able to have some time to reflect on a given step.

Step by Step Guide to Constructing Your Own Japanese Zen Garden
Only now that you have read throughout the given checklist, you can proceed to design your own Zen Garden. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Choose the Location
Choose the spot in your house that you would wish to have your Zen garden most probably. It could be just a small postage size piece of space in your compound, a courtyard or maybe just a part of the balcony. More importantly ensure that there are no interferences such as noise and other forms of interruption.
Step 2: Prepare the Ground
They are to free the area from any plant or chaff or any other object. Level it and assess if you want to install a synthetic layer for the plantons if needed. Then fill the space with layer of sand or small stone grills so that there is no gap between the structure and the surface.
Step 3: Place the Rocks
Stack rocks as key materials of the garden. It is advisable to put the largest stones first and as you approach the center arrange the stones in equal distance from one another. Spend as much time on this step as possible for selecting and placing rocks for this will determine the theme of the entire from the garden.
Step 4: Add Moss and Plants
After that drift rocks to provide the base and install moss plus pruned plants to subdue the stones’ rigidity. This is especially important if you get the tall ones, as you can put them around the base of rocks or along the edge of a garden for contrast.
Step 5: Rake the Gravel or Sand
With a rake, make swirl designs in the gravel or sand you have provided. The most familiar outcome is the ripple effect; however, you are free to be creative on the pattern of your choice as others represent waves or ripples.
Step 6: Incorporate Optional Features
If desired add a small water body or a bridge or WALKWAY which adds complete to the garden. Ideally, these elements should do as little violence to the overriding aesthetic as conceivable while still completing the picture/reminding people what they are consuming.

Conclusion: Embrace the Zen Philosophy
It’s and art, and more than a beautiful space and it can also serve as a tool to bring order and peace into your life, a representation of one’s soul, a part of Japanese Zen culture. That is why if you want to have a quiet and private spot for introspection, it is best to design your garden using the four natural elements – rocks, sand or water, and plants.
Designing your own Zen garden is in itself a process and makes it possible to gain some experience in patience, measures and moderation. It doesn’t matter if you are putting together a small Zen garden on your desk or a full-blown garden on a large piece of land, the basic rules are the same. Rely upon and participate it as a daily chore—go into your garden to take a break, make a cup of tea, and enjoy its beauty.
Now, take action. So, there is no need to wait and start planning your Zen garden, so everyone can have a piece of heaven in their backyard.

FAQs About Japanese Zen Gardens

Why are there Japanese Zen gardens?
The main function of a Japanese Zen garden is to offer a calm area where people would go for meditation. The purpose of the Zen gardens is to turn the person into a passive figure who is seeking to find harmony with the surrounding environment and achieve mental pre-eminence. Every flower, every tree, every object in the garden is designed to have a meaning to bring people thought and tranquillity.
What are seven principles of Zen garden design?
Zen gardens are often built around seven guiding principles derived from Japanese aesthetics and Zen philosophy:
Kanso (Simplicity): Nothing in excess and no unnecessary items.
Fukinsei (Asymmetry): Flaw as in natural beauty and realistic portrayal.
Shibui (Subtle Beauty): Simplicity in appearance; not ostentatious.
Yugen (Mystery): Negatives and shadows, half-hidden in jokes, allusions or visual ornaments.
Datsuzoku (Freedom from Habit): Act of deviating from the common or the norm.
Seijaku (Tranquility): Calmness and stillness.
Shizen (Naturalness): Mitigation of control vs . With the free course the environment.
What is the most popular Japanese Zen garden?
The most well known Zen garden is the Ryoan-ji Temple Zen Garden in Kyoto. Its design is well acknowledged as being nearly-Rockwool, with 15 rocks set in a field of smooth white sand. This rock garden has been developed very simple way and is the depiction of mountains and islands in water.
What is the main, primary difference between a Japanese gardens and a Zens gardens?
A Japanese garden usually provides beautiful plantings, ponds, bridges, and the other annual change elements, and it seems like the natural scenery. A Zen garden or Karesansui is, therefore, a dry landscape comprising rocks, gravel and sand with lots of symbolism. Both garden types convey the theme of natural unity, but while Traditional Zen garden is somewhat austere and serves strictly for the purpose of meditation.

Japanese Zen garden ideas
Small courtyard Zen garden: A small garden enclosure should be used to place some stones, a small layer of gravel and trimmed shrubbery to have a calming zone.
Indoor Zen garden: Recycle a dish pan and place sand, rocks and a mini rake to have a small Zen garden.
Balcony Zen garden: Use bamboo screens, gravel, a small stone feature to bring some much needed calm to frantic cityscapes.
So firstly, what is a Japanese dry garden?
Karesansui is a Japanese dry garden that represent landscapes by the use of rocks, gravel, sand and the planting of limited number of plants. It is a garden meant to be observed not walked through and could be islands, a river or ocean without water.
What is a Zen garden mini?
A mini Zen garden is miniature model of the actual Zen garden and can be kept right on your desktop. They are usually small trays made from plastic material, which contain sand or gravel, small rocks and a mini rake for making troughs. Mini Zen gardens are typical to use as stress-busters, and people can rake them during breaks or at work.
How do Japanese people define a rock garden?
The Japanese rock garden is another name given to Zen garden where rocks along with gravel represent the islands and water respectively. These gardens are all about intricacies of stones, gravel, and sand to make them depict nature in its simplest and most elegant form as mountains, rivers or the sea.
What is Zen garden sand?
Sand or gravel in a Zen garden should represent water itself or the current of nature, if translated into words. The sand is well smoothened and always arranged in some patterns of waves, and in a way is used as a chinasha where Buddists sit to ponder and meditate. The actual process of raking is also meditative: this is because that activity is completed so many times in a day.

What is Zen garden gravel?
Water or space in a Zen garden is depicted by stones that are literally gravel deposits. It is usually swept into curved lines to create an impression of ripple or wave like movement. The gravel helps to set the scene for the rocks, and plants and other features in the garden and gives it a plain and thus very soothing look.
What is the purpose of a Zen garden?
The whole intent of constructing a Zen garden is to have a well-ordered scenery that encompass a sense of openness as well as calm reflection. Since undeveloped garden design is easy and does not distract the viewer and oneself, the contemplation of the nature and of the soul contributes to harmony in life.

10 of the Most Famous Gardens in the World

Gardens are not merely plotted designs of plants; they include centers of refuge and imagination, and cultural assets. There are incredible gardens across the world, nature has played its role and people have always embraced this beauty. The garden contains a traditional aesthetic and natural work, ranging from historical gardens of magnificent architecture to the modern miracles, in which each has a particular atmosphere.


Regardless if you are the occasional traveler, the next trip planner or an individual who wants to add beauty to your own back yard, walking through these beautiful famous gardens will only encourage the gardener within. It’s time to travel in seven continents to explore 10 extraordinary gardens around the world -each one calling you to not only appreciate its uniqueness but to make your own special place.

Keukenhof Netherlands
It literally called the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof now occupies one of the highest status to be one of the worlds seven most visited floral spot and at the same time, the largest. Also known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is situated in Lisse, NL and occupies a total area of 322,450 m ^{2} ; however, its flowers bloom only in April. Over 7 million flower bulbs burst into splendor, among which tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbs that bloom in spring.
Visiting Keukenhof Park resembles strolling in the art exhibition since various colours invade the site from horizon to horizon. Tulip garden is accessible only between March and May which again are perfect timing for a visit because of tulips. If you fancy flowers or bright gardens in particular, Keukenorf is definitely going to take your breath away.
Takeaway: If you, for instance, imagine grand color and flowers or large multi-colored flowers, you may want to go Keukenhof-way on your garden by planting bulbs for Spring blooms.


Kew Gardens, England
Kew Gardens which is situated in London can be named not only one of the most popular gardens globally but also a World Heritage site. This garden occupies more than 300 acres of area and contains the world’s largest live plant collection. Many of these are in the extraordinary glass structures providing tropical and temperate environments including the Palm House and the Temperate House, where there is a magnificent array of exotic plants.
The gardens are a research and conservation facility that goes well beyond what most people expect of a tourist attraction. If you are interested in seeing plants that are the only ones in existence or if you are an environmental conservation enthusiast then Kew is a catch-all for both the aesthetic and informative in one package.
Takeaway: Kew Gardens is an inspiration for those interested in biodiversity and rare plants, to work towards creating an diverse, natural garden.

Gardens of Versailles, France:

A masterpiece of official garden and of neatness, in the gardens of the Villa Demidoff at Florence. We associate the Gardens of Versailles with elegance and elegant design and distinctive taste of Versailles. These are located in Versailles and were established in the 17th century by king Louis XIV as compliment to palace of Versailles impressiveness. Measuring about 1,977 acres, gardens are classified in the French formal garden type where symmetry, geometrical shapes and water body in fountains are integral features.
Enjoy a walk in the park taking a tour past magnificent grass embankments and while at it, people can find sculptures and fountains located all over the park while coming face to face with gigantic musical fountains during summer. It’s the final abode of individuals who have artistic interest in historic gardening and geometric planning of gardens.
Takeaway: If you are drawn to the regimented designs of the early twentieth-century formal garden – then it does not get much better than symmetry, neat hedges and water – consider invigorating your garden with these delightful features.


Butchart Gardens, Canada: A Floral Wonderland
Butchart Gardens is situated in British Columbia, it was created by one woman who loved gardening. Butchart, Jennie Butchart, turned a limestone quarry into a floral spectacular in the early part of the twentieth century. Nowadays it spreads over 55 hectares and also has a large number of different thematic gardens some of which are a Japanese garden, a rose garden, a Mediterranean garden.
It is therefore unique in that even through the year there are new displays for tourists to appreciate when they visit the place. If it is the summer hues of spring and summer, the holiday lights this winter, Butchart Gardens always have something special to offer.
Takeaway: People often believe that certain territories could not be of any use: for instance, old quarries are hardly helpful for anything, but with some imagination, they canturn into green oases. Read the chapters from Butchart and try to learn from the experience of her transforming the unused territories of her yard into something magical.

Shinjuku Gyoen, Japan: A Blend of Cultures
For this Shinnjuweka Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo incorporates Japanese forest, French formal garden, and English landscape styles. Historically, the land which is home to Shinjuku Gyoen was an imperial garden, but now it is an open park helping people to flee from the city’s frantic pace. The most popular time for visiting is spring when the locals and foreign tourists go to admire the sakura trees and their beautiful flowers – cherries.
Gentle water fountains, small beautiful bridges and trimmed trees make the garden a perfect place to sit down and contemplate. Congruently, it becomes an appropriate place for those who want to find silence amidst large city bustle.
Takeaway: For people who love the tranquility of the Japanese style in garden design, some of the idea to put in the garden are water fixtures, structured stone pathways and trees in specific areas of the garden area.


Boboli Gardens, Italy: Renaissance Grandeur
The Boboli Garden, at the back of the Pitti Palace in Florence, is an entry site of the High Renaissance landscape architecture. It was set up in the 16th century and it set standards of many a European royal garden. There are large smooth surfaced lawns, fountains, sculptures and rockeries all in perfect harmony as part of their natural environment – Boboli.
Visiting Boboli Gardens makes you feel you are part of history with the flair of arts and intriguing beauty of nature found all over the garden. The gardens are stunning, it’s really great place to look over Florence, and for those who like arts and natural sceneries.
Takeaway: Gardening inspired with ideas from the Renaissance can make your home look beautifully classic. Think about presenting the sculpture, the terraces or small fountains to add more historical appearance to your garden area.

Ryoan-ji, Japan: Zen and Minimalism
It is praiseworthy that one of the most renowned examples of the rock garden is situated in Kyoto’s Ryoan-ji Temple. Ryoan-ji garden, however, is dry landscape or karesansui where gravel and stones are arranged and are believed to represent mountains and rivers respectively. This simple garden is best suited for contemplating and for meditation.
It is one of the best examples of where they say that the simple things are capable of having the most astounding beauty. For all the lovers to spiritual silence, at Ryoan-ji it is possible to trace the impact of laconism as a principle of gardening.
Takeaway: Simplicity can be stunning. For people with less interest in gardening, try to design your garden as the Zen garden containing rocks, sand, and less plants.


Claude Monet’s Garden France: A Painter’s Paradise
Of course, it is just one of the photos that the French painter Claude Monet took as the subject of an Impressionist painting of his garden in Giverny. This was garden that Monet took time to develop and cultivate and water lilies became the focus of many of his paintings and particularly the Water Lilies series. More realistic structures in the garden will include; natural lily pond, Japanese bridges, flower beds which forms an art mimicry of the Monet painting.
Monet’s garden is similar to one of his paintings so to walk through it is no different from walking through a painting to see light and colors from yet another angle. It is a place that one would love to visit even for art tourists and also the nature lovers.
Takeaway: If you love art, do not let your garden be a dead space; paint it instead. Design colors, textures and water elements that depict the arts to make a room that represents the artist.

Villa d’Este, Italy: A Garden of Fountains
Tivoli is home to Villa d ‘Este — a garden of water; a green, riotous display of water features. It was constructed in renaissance period and is renowned for stunning fountains which have been designed and located accurately within the garden setting. Fountains are spread across the gardens and make a pleasant sound of water combined with a cool temperature which is needed in Italy during summer.
The most famous is the “Fountain of the Organ” but there are over five hundred of them at Villa d’Este, demonstrating what can be created with water in the garden. It is tailored for people who like waters but they prefer them in an open space.
Takeaway: Without a doubt water elements are capable of adding the much-needed ambiance to any garden. You had better elevate the watering system to build up the ambience of a water garden, whether you are going to create a water fountain or pen or a small water garden.


Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden of South Africa:
It is a world famous botanical garden located in near Cape Town and stands as the garden that plays Nine significant role of displaying various types of plants in South Africa. It lies at the south-eastern side of cape town at the foot of Table Mountain, it is split into two sections covering an area of 1 300 acres of land and hosts many South African plant.
Kirstenbosch is one of those places that is of big interest to botanists, ornithologists and other lovers of the nature as there are many walking paths, thematic gardens and the splendid view of the country landscape. The film can be easily considered as an effective appeal to save biodiverse of South Africa and as an outstanding example of how plant diversity can be focalized.
Takeaway: For those who love plants it is good to have plants in the natural environments kind so as to enhance the biological diversity.

These famous gardens give you a look of how you can never run out of ideas when designing your garden. Whether they make you think about the Palace of Versailles or a bare Japanese garden, there’s something or the other that one can learn from these extraordinary places. So why not take action and try to create some of the magic of those gardens for yourself right at your own home? beginner or aspiring gardener – start your journey from the basic or go for a high level or grand gardening, the world of gardening is vast and welcomes everyone.

Who is the largest garden in the world?
For more than 72,000 sqm of coverage on flowers, the award-winning Dubai Miracle Garden of United Arab Emirate is the largest natural flower garden globally with over fifty million blossoms.
Who is the owner of the most famous garden in the world?
The French Garden called the Gardens of Versailles DER is widely regarded as the most famous garden in the world because of their historical and aesthetically lifted up and formality cultural difference.
Which country boasts of the best gardens in the world?
Japan, England and France are amongst countries with some of the most beautiful gardens; each country has its own characteristics, from strictly minimalist oriental to maximally ornate European.
Where is the nicest garden?
Tulip gardens: Keukenhof in the Netherlands is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, solely for its famous spring tulip which gives a very aesthetically stunning environment.
What country is most associated with gardening?
It was always ideal to predict that England would be a gardening center, with Kew Gardens and the English cottage gardens that provide a focus to the country’s passion for gardening.

Which country has the most beautiful garden?
Japanese gardens are famous all around the world and some of the most favorite locations of tourists are Shinjuku Gyoen and Ryoan-ji gardens that offer highly meditative landscape gardens.
Do you know where the largest garden in the world is situated?
The Dubai Miracle Garden, is one of the largest gardens in the world, with the flowers so magnificent and beautifully arranged in an area of considerable size.
Which country has the biggest garden?
Dubai Miracle Garden in United Arab Emirates is the biggest natural garden featuring flowers with various stunning floral designs.
Which is the first garden city of the world?
The Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, England is acclaimed as the world’s first garden city which was designated in the early part of twentieth century, being prophetic in its approach to use garden as model of planning for civilization.

Visitor Tips
Keukenhof, Netherlands:
Best Time to Visit: mid March to mid May, to witness the full bloom of tulips, is in the third week of April.
Nearby Attractions: Leiden, during its historical sightseeing, Amsterdam, and the Dutch Tulip Fields near Lisse.
Kew Gardens, England:
Best Time to Visit: Perpetual, but flowering is excellent in the spring and summer seasons.
Nearby Attractions: in the Richmond Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens Library and Hampton Court Palace.
Gardens of Versailles, France:
Best Time to Visit: from April to October, with fountain show during the summer weekend only.
Nearby Attractions: Versailles, Trianon and salle à manger du niveau inférieur à miroirs.
Butchart Gardens, Canada:
Best Time to Visit: Summer for flowers; winter for the Christmas lights.
Nearby Attractions: The Butterfly Gardens, Inner Harbour Victoria, and Whales Watching Trips.
.Shinjuku Gyoen, Japan:
Best Time to Visit: Flowers of cherry trees bloom in mid March to mid April and autumn colors at the latter half of November.
Nearby Attractions: A number of attractive places include the Meiji Shrine, the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, the Shinjuku – the place of trading and buying.
Boboli Gardens, Italy:
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn it’s not extremely hot and not very crowded with tourists as a rule.
Nearby Attractions: Art gallery Pitti and the Royal Dick Palace in Florence, gallery of fine arts, Galleria dell’Accademia and the Basilica Church of Santa Croce.
Ryoan-ji, Japan:
Best Time to Visit: It is always possible to drive to the coastal area at any one time although a morning walk would require spring or autumn weather.
Nearby Attractions: Tourist attractions found in Kyoto are Kinkaku-ji, Daidokuji, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Claude Monet’s Garden, France:
Best Time to Visit: This is mostly available from April to October, while during the water lilies blooming periods of July to August.
Nearby Attractions: Inpression, the Sun, the Sisley.
Villa d’Este, Italy:
Best Time to Visit: May through to October, though, if you are interested in seeing many fountains and beautiful gardens.
Nearby Attractions: A Residential Building with Baths, Villa Tivoli Old Village and Villa Gregoriana Gardens Park.
Kirstenbosch Garden, South Africa:
Best Time to Visit: To view South Africa’s beautiful spring flowers which are in season between February to May.Nearby Attractions: Table Mountain National Park, Constantia Wine Route, and the Cape Town City Centre.

Traveler’s Stories or Quotations
Keukenhof, Netherlands:
Fun Fact: Keukenhof was actually a hunting pavilion kitchen garden for the countess castle, where flowers, herbs and vegetables used in countess’ kitchen were cultivated.
Kew Gardens, England:
Traveler Quote: Al exceeding, getting a tour of Kew’s Palm House felt like a detour to the tropics. In essence, it’s a combination of the natural world and archaeology.”
Gardens of Versailles, France:
Fun Fact: It took almost 40 years to finish and 6 million trees, plants and flowers were planted on the site.
Butchart Gardens, Canada:
Traveler Quote: Indeed there are certain areas and corners which seem to be in a different world once you are in the garden. What has taken place here is quite literally turning the site from being a hollowed out quarry to a beautiful garden!”
Shinjuku Gyoen, Japan:
Fun Fact: Formerly, this park was a royal property and at present it has become a national park in Shinjuku City.
Boboli Gardens, Italy:
Fun Fact: These gardens were used as a model for most other European gardens and of Versailles too.
Ryoan-ji, Japan:
Traveler Quote: In fact, Ryoan-ji is not simply a garden; it is what no other is. Amazingly basic, yet folks can’t help but be engrossed in what the painting is and wonder about the core of naturality.
Claude Monet’s Garden, France:
Fun Fact: Amazingly, Monet planned out the garden himself and the majority of his best-known paintings were painted with this garden in mind, some of them depicting the “Water Lilies” series.
Villa d’Este, Italy:
Fun Fact: over five hundred fountains many of them work only with the help of gravity and hydraulics, the unique invention of the Renaissance.
Kirstenbosch Garden, South Africa:
Traveler Quote: The view over Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch is superb. The garden seems rather like a sanctuary of life and color at first.”

Environmental Conservation and Management
Kew Gardens, England:
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is at the forefront in plant science and plant conservation being involved in international research on conservation of threatened plant species as well as augmenting visitor’s understanding about environmental issues.
Butchart Gardens, Canada:
The gardens incorporate environmental management where the tropical gardens has implemented water recycling, composting and organic fertilization hence has most of the gardens evergreen.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden South Africa:
Kirstenbosch is a Botanical garden that is specifically established to preserve the natural habitat of South Africa plant species the garden situated in the Cape Floristic Region a World Heritage Site.