What is a dry garden? A dry garden is a garden in which plants are selected that rarely need watering and are adapted to a drier climate. Examples of possible species include agaves, cacti, and succulents, but flowers and trees can also be brought in as long as they are deeply rooted and can better adapt to this type of landscape, which will receive less water.
Initially, the “dry garden” – a special invention of the monks in Japanese monasteries – was created for meditation. Monks-artists covered the compacted area of the earth with white-gray sand or fine gravel. After that, compositions of stones of various sizes were created on it and slides of sand were placed on it. On the surface, a wavy relief was drawn with a rake, so that an image of water running among the mountains or hills arose.
How to plan Before planning a dry garden, it is important to know the bioclimatic conditions in which it will be installed: estimate the amount of sunlight and natural light, rainfall and average temperature throughout the year. With this information, you can talk to a specialist to understand which plants will best adapt to the space.
How to choose plants If you live in an area that suffers from prolonged droughts, it’s always a good idea to choose native plants that will have a safer environment and also serve the local fauna better. By doing this, you will create a more sustainable way of transforming the landscape, also known as “naturalistic landscaping”.
Combine plants with other items Consider how best to combine plants with other objects. It is worth remembering that you can use various natural elements such as sand and stones, as well as handicrafts like ceramic vases or natural fabrics – they blend perfectly with vegetation.