Not just in thefamous Japanese gardensStones are highly valued in garden design. They are also often used in modern gardening and landscaping and are considered real eye-catchers outdoors. That's why more and more landscape architects and designers are using one or more stone elements in their projects. Massive boulders and boulders that appear to be randomly distributed on the ground are particularly popular. Of course, this is not a coincidence, but an original design solution. A few oversized stones here and there add great accents and look very modern and natural. In this post we have collected some examples from different corners of the world that represent beautiful ideas for gardening and landscaping with stones, boulders and boulders.
Public parks are not just curved garden paths and green lawns. We have selected some impressive public gardens and parks in different countries where different types and shapes of stone are used in the landscape architecture.
The rock garden in Ming Mongkol Park in Thailand
This beautiful green park is located in Saraburi, Thailand and was designed by Landscape Architects 49 Limited with the theme of “sustainable living”. In addition to natural vegetation and many small lakes, Ming Mongkol Park has a designated area for sitting and relaxing. Instead of benches or gazebos, this space is equipped with large stones. These fulfill the purpose of the benches and at the same time look very decorative in the open space. The medium-sized boulders are disorganized over onegravel surfacescattered and looking as if they were floating on a gray sea.
The Earth Sciences Garden at Monash University in Australia
A special garden has been designed on the grounds of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. It was intended to showcase the key features of Victoria's geology and geomorphology while also serving as an outdoor teaching laboratory for geoscience studies at the university. The garden combines geological science with special landscape architecture in a unique semi-natural landscape that is loaded with a lot of information. Rush Wright Associates' project was immediately recognized in the scientific community and is attracting increasing interest nationally and internationally.
The gardens reflect the geological and geographical features of Victoria. These include the Gippsland coastal region, the Otway Coast National Park, the large volcanic complex of Newer Volcanics Province and the sand dunes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Massive boulders, stone pavements, gravel areas and vegetation reflect the specific landscapes of Australia's smallest state.
Stones and water features in Xing Yuan Park in China
The Chinese landscape architecture firm Cicada also decided to use stones in the design of Xing Yuan Park in Zhuhai, China. There is an interplay between stone and water here that has a very calming effect. The streams are bordered with gravel and grit and in the middle of the water small, medium and large boulders attract your attention.
The Qinhuangdao Botanical Garden
The Qinhuangdao Botanical Garden in China also has a green area where stones “grow”. The unusual rock garden was designed by the landscape architects from Turenscape and is just one of the beauties that can be found in thebotanical gardencan be seen. Although not such large boulders are used here, they blend in wonderfully with the otherwise natural landscape.
Modern landscaping with large boulders – The “Marabar” project
Gardening and landscaping with stones can also be interpreted in a modern way. The works of the American sculptor Elyn Zimmerman show how this works. The following three landscape architecture projects we present belong to the talented artist. She called the first one Marabar and designed it for the National Geographic Society Museum in Washington.
90+ ideas for Corten steel in the garden and its diverse uses
Due to its excellent properties, Corten steel has been increasingly finding its way into modern gardens in recent years. Whether used as a lawn edge, raised bed, plant pot, retaining wall, privacy screen or fire pit - Corten steel looks good anywhere in the garden. But what other advantages does the material offer besides that?
The central element is an 18 meter long and 2 meter wide reflection pool, which is surrounded by a total of five large granite blocks. Three of them have a cut-off, shiny polished side that reflects the surroundings. This special masterpiece is a wonderful example of how natural stone can be successfully integrated into modern landscaping.
The “Terrain” project in Chicago
“Terrain” is another project by the talented sculptor in which stones play the main role. It is located at the O'Hare International Center in Chicago, Illinois. The concept is similar to Marabar, but here there are more than 20 granite blocks spread across the paving stones. They surround an irregularly shaped reflecting pool and a narrow, swaying stream that leads to a pond in the lower garden.
“Sanctuary” – A sanctuary made of massive boulders
Zimmerman called this project “Sanctuary,” which means sanctuary or place of refuge. It was designed for the Moffitt Cancer Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa, USA. Limestone blocks are used as accents. They are arranged around the circular pond and “protect” the seating area in the middle.
The Tanner Fountain in Harvard University Park
The interaction between stone and water is simply magical. A famous example of gardening and landscaping using stones and water is the Tanner Fountain on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The design was created by landscape architect Peter Walker, who also studied at the university. The fountain consists of 159 boulders arranged in a circle. In fact, the stones are significantly larger than can be seen, but part of them is buried. 32 nozzles spray the water and create wonderful effects both during the day and after the sunset.
Modern landscaping with large boulders in Arizona
The famous American landscape architect Garrett Eckbo designed the garden of the Tucson Conference Center in Arizona, USA. A special feature are the fountains that run along the entire outside area. They are filled with irregular boulders and boulders that conjure up a very special design. Here you can refresh yourself in the hot summer or sit on a stone and enjoy the sunshine.
The modern garden with stones at Lake Yu Club in Kunshan
Another modern example is the works of the Chinese Z+T Studio. The two projects presented here are characterized by a modern design with boulders as accents. The gardens in Kunshan and Hangzhou impress with their clear lines and remarkable landscape architecture.
Contemporary landscape architecture with stones in Hangzhou
Wonderful rock garden in the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo
Shunmyo Masuno is a Japanese monk and garden designer who designed the rock garden at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo. Many different types of stone are used in the design, which are successfully combined with each other and are reminiscent of the popular Japanese gardens.
“Garden of Stones” in New York
“Garden of Stones” is a project by artist Andy Goldsworthy that is a memorial at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. Here the stones do not serve purely decorative purposes, but rather honor the victims of the Holocaust. In each boulder there is a small oak tree planted by Holocaust survivors. The first photo shows the rock garden in 2006 and the second photo shows it in 2012.
Large boulders set accents in the garden of the Helix Hospital in Sweden
In the park of the Helix Hospital in Huddinge, Sweden, the landscape architects from Niva Landskapsarkitektur also used large boulders in the design. When gardening and landscaping with stones, the boulders set accents and some of them also function as benches for doctors, patients and their families and friends.
Modern garden design with stones on an office building in Madrid
In the courtyard of an office building in Madrid, the landscape architects from Urquijo-Kastner Estudio de Paisajismo have designed a classic Japanese-style rock garden. Since the workspaces overlook the courtyard garden, the architects chose a beautiful Zen garden with stones. The combination of grit, small boulders and green hedges has a calming effect and looks very modern.
