ASIAN GARDEN DESIGNS TO BE FEATURED IN THE UPCOMING LOS BANOS MIDYEAR FLOWER AND

GARDEN SHOW AT UPLB.

By Norby Bautista

An Asian or Oriental garden design is usually simple, and each area elicit a harmonious flow within the
garden. Larger areas are usually broken into smaller designs with a piece of dcor or sculpture,
alongside with a single or group of plants to accent the spot. A simple winding pathway is used to
connect these different pocket gardens as a whole. This garden design usually takes into consideration
all the elemental factors of wood, fire, earth, water and metal, plus the principles of Feng Shui.
The element of wood is usually represented by plants, especially trees. A soft winding pathway is
usually incorporated into the design, which leads from one area to the next. Simplicity is encouraged.
On the other hand, the symbol of fire is represented by the color red. Bridges, sculptures, arks and
dcors painted in red are considered a lucky feature you can use in the garden.
The element of Earth is represented by sand and stones in the garden, which are great ways to fill
vacant spaces, and they do not need maintenance like growing plants. However, there is a need to
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regularly rake the sand into a patter or in order to clean it, another substitute for sand is gravel or larger
stones, especially if you have pets or children.
The element of water is
accomplished by adding a water
feature, either a small pond,
fountain or even a bird bath. With
these, the terrain is usually rolling
and with elevations, instead of the
usual flat topography, in order for
water to collect in low lying areas.
Rocks, gravel and sand can also
create an illusion of a water
feature in one area, and they
should be made orderly and neat
in design.
Lastly, the element of metal can
be added by hanging wind chimes
or bells in your landscape, which
will also add a delightful tinkling
sound to calm the soul.
The Asian design should use few
simple plants, with a gentle,
soothing feel, instead of a random
tangled sorts of plants. Eastern
garden designs shows the essence
of
carefully controlling most
elements. That control is evident
in every part of the garden where
randomness and confusion is not
allowed. Each and every area, no
matter how small, is treated as a
piece of art. Materials like bonsai trees, and naturally sculptured stones are some of the accessories
usually found in these gardens which creates that well-tended Asian feel.
With this, the Los Banos Horticultural Society will be having its Midyear Flower and Garden show
starting this October 5 to 14, 2012 at the Senior Social Garden at the University of the Philippines at Los
Banos campus, Laguna . This shows theme is Asian Gardens, wherein the organizers will be featuring
various Asian garden designs from different countries in the Asia-Pacific. The Philippine booth will be
arranged by Myrna Orticio; Korea by Gintong Talulut; Japan by Exotica; Thailand by Varunee; Singapore
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by Rain Forest Garden; China by Mr. Vic Chin; Bali, Indonesia by Amy Partameno; Vietnam by Tony
Pajaro; Indonesia by Flower Box; Malaysia by Earth Keepers; and Burma by Marlon Bautista.

According to Ms Marina Catipon, President of the Los Banos Horticulture Society and Chairperson of the
show, the featured plants will be bamboos and flowering plants. In the last five years, the use of
bamboo for landscaping has become very popular. Bamboo will be an important element of the Asian
gardens. To top your knowledge on bamboo, Dr. Celso Lantican of the College of Forestry, UPLB will
talk on Bamboos on Saturday, Oct. 6th at 2 pm. The following Saturday at 2 in the afternoon, Vic Chin,
Vice President of the Society, will talk on culture of flowering plants.
The guest of honor during the opening will be Josephine Calma-Lazaro, a pioneer member of the
horticultural society of Los Banos. The center exhibit will be arranged by Jojo Lazaro. The display will be
a tribute to a former active member of the plant societies in the Philippines, Mr. CV Lazaro. It is also at
the show where the floriferous Tabernamontana CV Lazaro will be launched.
Tabernamontana CV Lazaro is related to the native Pandacaque but has white multi-petalled flowers
with frills on the margin. It has a sweet scent in the morning and blooms throughout the year. It is an
excellent flowering shrub for landscaping with its ever-blooming characteristic and glossy deep green
leaves. The Los Banos Horticulture Society is proud to name this selection CV Lazaro who was an active
officer of the society and a well-known horticulturist.
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