Landscape Designing

LANDSCAPE DESIGNING FRMT 325 Cr. Hr. 3(1+2)

Lesson 15:Specialised Gardens

Sunken Garden

• Sunken garden is laid below the ground level.
• A sunken garden can be laid out in an already existing depression of land or a portion of the garden may be specially dug to layout such a garden.
• Dried natural pond can also be utilized for laying out the sunken 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 sewerage 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.
• But in most cases this may not be necessary, especially in drier tracts.


• Some drainage materials such as stones, rubbles, etc. of about 60 cm thickness may be placed below the surface of the sunken garden at a depth of about 1 meter from the surface.
• Steps should be taken to prevent the surface run –off water to fall in the sunken garden.
• In the sunken portion, terraces are made and different kinds of plants are arranged stepwise.
• Diversified types of plants can be grown in this garden along with beautifully designed steps.
• Sunken gardens are mostly symmetrical.
• These gardens are made with much formal paving, and in the middle a pool at lower level. A fountain can also be introduced.
• In these gardens large ranges of classical design may be introduced where in attractive specimen plants.
• Asymmetrical sunken gardens can also be laid out by following principles of garden design

Plant material for sunken garden

• If the area for sunken garden is small only some annuals and herbaceous perennials are grown in formal beds. But in a large sunken garden an elaborate formal or informal garden can be laid with paths, lawns, flower beds, shrubbery, trees, rose garden and greenhouse.
• The ideal depth of a sunken garden is about 120 cm. In case the sufficient depth is available one or all the walls of the sunken garden can be developed into dry wall.
• Sufficient depth will help support the raised sides of the sunken garden in addition to beauty. In dry localities, fountains and streams may be provided to increase the humidity.
• It is always advisable to have an attractive central feature such as sundial or birdbath or stone figure. This helps to tie the composition of the garden together.
• While planning the garden one must take into account the portions receiving or not receiving the morning sun and the portions that are under full sun or incomplete shade.
• A sunken garden is likely to be more humid, especially in high rainfall areas, than the portions above the ground. Hence it is likely that moisture-loving plants such as ferns, Ixora, Gardenia, etc. will do better in such a garden.
• The approach to a sunken garden is generally by a staircase, preferably made of stones.
• The surface of the sunken garden can be decorated with crazy paving, gravel , and steps in addition to neatly arranged beds and borders.
• It is also possible to have a sunken rock garden.
• When the paths in a rock garden are dug deep to create the mounds and hillocks, it takes the appearance of a sunken rock garden.