How does your garden grow?

• Giving root to a beautiful lawn

By Ruwanthi Herat Gunaratne

The secret is in the art of landscaping. But is it only limited to parks and large land areas? No, say members of the Landscape Association of Sri Lanka (LASL). Even in home gardens where there is hardly any room to create magic, it is not impossible. That's because they are trained in this art, right? Wrong. It is just because they are observant and yearn to make ordinary areas look spectacular. 

So what is landscaping? Landscaping is the laying-out of grounds to resemble natural scenery. "Human beings come from a natural environment. Their affinity and attachment to nature are still there in their minds even though a few of the vast majority destroy nature for petty short-term gain. Everybody loves to see beautiful surroundings, natural scenery, attractive plants, ponds, cascades and other built items with natural effects," says Kamal Perera, Patron of LASL in his message to Landscape 2001, an exhibition which was concluded last week .

The Landscapists' Association believes that landscaping is an art form easily accessible to anyone of any age, gender or background who possesses even an ounce of creativity. "I myself got into landscaping due to a slight interest in the subject. Now I'm hooked," stresses LASL President Ira Jansz. The LASL came about when JICA (the Japan International cooperation Agency) held seminars on landscaping and the first batch to pass out banded together in 1997. "We've been quite active ever since," says Mrs. Jansz.

It also helps reduce stress. "Landscaping is an area to which a lot of attention has been given by those who love the natural environment and who know the beneficial effects of a properly laid out landscape to human lives. A unique garden arrangement will help reduce stress, it will be soothing and cooling," says Mr. Perera.

Landscape 2001, the second exhibition organized by LASL, and held at the BMICH last weekend concentrated mainly on small gardens, for the simple reason that unlike in the days of yore it is almost impossible to find homes with large gardens in the cities. Most homes in Colombo and the suburbs can only boast of a 'meda midula' (centre garden) and in the case of apartments only either a wide roof terrace or a little balcony area.

For anyone wishing to become a professional landscapist, LASL itself offers courses, consisting of 10 lessons by experts in the field and practical work. To join this association as a member, the requirement is a diploma in landscaping or similar qualification. "We have a set timetable of events that we lay out at the beginning of the year," said Dushyanthi Baptist, Assistant Secretary of the Association. "We hold meetings every month and exchange ideas and learn all sorts of new ways of doing things. We also travel to places like Sigiriya and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to see and study the natural scenery." Landscaping as a form of art is spreading and getting more and more people enraptured. 

(Next week: Small wonders)

Giving root to a beautiful lawn

The basic requirements are a shovel, a garden spade, a rake, a garden fork, a hose, plenty of manure, water and an active imagination. 

Once you have decided what kind of area you'd like to landscape you must first determine whether the area is shady or sunny; the soil dry or moist and what kind of plants you'd like to grow there. 

Most plants are available for sale at various outlets in and around the city and if they seem too expensive simply look around you, for you can pick up many a plant off the gardens of friends and places you visit. However, make sure that you don't destroy any plants while in the process of replenishing your stocks. Then let your imagination take over and create a beautiful scene, not too crowded and not too garish.

Landscaping if done the correct way will not be expensive. Even if you were to get professional help it would only be the initial cost, because the maintenance of that beautiful garden will be entirely up to you. 

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