Create Outdoor Zen With These Landscaping Ideas for Your Backyard in Reno and Carson City, NV

When you want a calming backyard space, create an outdoor Zen garden in your Reno and Carson City, NV, landscape. With all the elements of a Zen design, this can be the perfect space to unwind.

Related: Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Your Backyard Project in Reno and Carson, NV

Zen Guiding Principles

There are specific guiding principles that your landscape can incorporate for a delightful, peaceful garden. They include most, if not all the principles when planning your backyard garden.

• Asymmetry: No two spaces will mirror each other. Instead, each space will have its own unique look.

• Simplicity: The Zen garden is simple, with no elaborate shrubs or oversized structures.

• Naturalness: The components reflect nature and not man-made things.

• Austerity: This combines with simplicity in that it promotes plainness.

• Mystery or surprise: There should be unexpected elements around a corner or within a nook.

• Stillness: Incorporate places to stop and be still and observe.

• Magical: Combined with mystery, magical can be something surprising or unexpected.

Zen Landscaping Garden Ideas

Pathways: The Zen garden pathways are usually composed of tiny gravel that leads you to the unexpected parts of the landscape. Your landscaper can also recommend dark-toned stepping stones that blend with the earthen colors surrounding the space. You can choose to have a curving pathway to add to the mystery of where the pathway will lead, or you can incorporate a straight pathway for angular turns.

Water: A Zen garden has some form of water. This can be a bubbling fountain, a gently flowing stream, or a tranquil gazing pond.

Seating: Plan to have several spots to sit and contemplate the surrounding beauty and natural colors. Many Zen gardens have a bench beneath a tree or nestled into a hidden section of the garden, like a hideaway. Seating should be simple but comfortable and made of natural materials such as wood.

Plantings: Plantings usually consist of various tones of green for a harmonious color palette. Part of the mystery and surprise can be the unexpected topiaries and unusually shaped shrubs. Most Zen gardens do not have flowers, but you can discuss with your landscaper whether you want to add flowers to your personal space.

Living screens: For privacy in your garden, look to living screens instead of a traditional fence. Screens can be tall bamboo, a series of evergreen trees, or another selection to add privacy without the visibility of a traditional wood fence.

Gravel patterns: An enticing way to introduce subtle patterns into your garden is to groom the gravel pathways with textural interest and unique designs. This can indulge your creative side since you can change the patterns, and this can be part of a soothing experience and activity.

Oversize rock: Large rock can add visual size and weight to your garden. When they are placed strategically in the garden, they can also increase privacy and add to the unexpected quality.

While a Zen garden does have specific characteristics, don’t be afraid to make it your own with personal selections, color combinations, and other features that make you happy. Your landscaper can help you find the right mixture of calming plants and seating to create the amazing backyard space.

You can add on to your Zen garden over time to create a personalized, relaxing outdoor space.

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