Chlorophyllic Scores II

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Gardens have been an intrinsic part of the day of man since time immemorial. Tradition has a multitude of historic references wherein the garden was more a utilitarian part of a house rather than a decorative part. The gardens supplied herbs, vegetables, and flowers that nourished every facet of existence. The Ramayana holds scenes of Sita spending a considerable part of her day in gardening while in exile. The garden provided for daily sustenance. The Mughals built gardens for pleasure while the British built gardens to lessen the harsh climatic conditions of the region.

The greens are only a part of a garden; they mainly consist of trees, shrubs and grass, which constitute soft landscaping. Hard landscaping is what is meant by pavers and flooring. Rocks used for decorative purposes may be considered as a part of hard landscaping. Trees in an ideal garden are about 30 to 35 feet in diameter. They include the commonly grown trees of the Pipal, Neem, Mango, Gulmohar and Frangi Pani. The Chilean Mesquite tree is one, which could be planted around the house. Its thick foliage in summer gives shade while in winter the tree allows the passage of filtered light

The Ashoka Tree also called the Mast tree is very popular. Its heady foliage allows it to act like a noise barrier. Smaller trees like the Yellow Oleander provide cheerful disposition to the fabric of the garden. The Coconut tree lends its fruit, which is a very important ingredient to all religious offerings and in household culinary too. The Jacaranda is another very delicate and beautiful tree, which grows to a height of about 12 meters. The labernums, Mandar, Gonj and Gulmohar trees are known for their colorful flowers and festivity they endow to the environment. Shrubs add greenery and color to the garden at a different eye-level from the trees.

The Chinese garden has ample portions of rock, greens and water as its basic elements. The Zen gardens propagate the use of clean rigid grid in the spaces with inner courtyards bringing in the outside. The balance is struck with an intelligent use and location of a water-body. Interior designer Vatsala of The Designer says, "The presence of gazebo, quaint bridges and a deck extending from the house into the garden make a garden alive."

The Mughal gardens play with the flooring materials and are geometrically composed with water highlighting the axis in a garden. The presence of a water feature dignifies the vocabulary of a garden. The balance is struck with an intelligent use and location of a water-body. Lotus ponds and fountains provide a base for the introduction of water in a garden. Preserving of rocks in your garden will not only win you over the rock-lovers it will also add to the depth of the garden. Noted landscape architect Yeshwant Ramamurthy says, "Rocks are millions of years old and have a primordial right to be left untouched". Trellises and Pergolas made of wood and steel have over-ridden their popularity in the last couple of years.