Ornamental Horticulture

2. SUNKEN GARDEN

SUNKEN GARDEN

It is formed taking advantage of a natural depression. The depression is made into different tiers over which ground covers, edges, flower beds and small herbs may be grown. At the center of the depression, a pond or pool is formed to grow water plants.
A sunken garden can be laid out in an already existing depression of land or a portion of the garden may be modified to lay out such a garden. Since a sunken ground is likely to collect water, adequate drainage arrangement should be made. The simplest method will be to have one or two drainage outlets and connect them to the sewage system. It is not advisable to have a sunken garden in a very heavy soil because of the drainage problem. If the garden is likely to be flooded rapidly, special arrangements may have to be made to drain out the excess of water accumulated. Some drainage materials such as stones, rubbles, etc., may be placed below the surface of the sunken garden at a depth of about 1 metre from the surface. The thickness of these materials may be about 60 cm. Steps should be taken to prevent the surface run-off water falling into the sunken garden.