Zen-inspired Secret Garden

Like the Japanese-style “Tsuba Niwa” gardens, this Zen-inspired gravel courtyard nestles behind a tall brick wall and opens to the sky. The tranquility of the space is achieved through its simple composition and restrained planting palette. As a response to the needs of a big family with limited backyard space, this front garden features a hidden circular gathering place defined by a Corten-steel edge, pea gravel and a concrete fire-bowl. The mid-height plantings consist of lush natives to increase the sense of privacy in this cocoon-like space, including Canadian anemone and sedges, and activate the senses with the natural perfume of viburnum and wild-mounding roses.