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Home  »  Gardening Articles  »  Balinese Garden Design

Balinese Garden Design

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Balinese Gazedo Design
Balinese Garden Gazebo Design

The elements of water, tropical plants and a gazebo or pavilion are the central themes of Balinese Garden Design. Gardens, plants and garden furniture that remind us of the exotic resort locations in Bali are increasingly popular with Australian home owners.

Balinese garden design is based around Gazebos or pavilions, water and lush tropical plants that suit the image of a tropical garden. All of these elements are put together to help create a feeling of lush tropical tranquility. 

With added design feature and ornaments such as Balinese Statues, Bali flags or ‘Umbul Umbuls’ (Balinese flags) and umbrellas it is easy to create a feeling of peace and tranquility that we associate with these exotic gardens.

Creating a Balinese Style Garden

It is the look and casual feel that makes us want Balinese style gardens. The easy going lifestyle of holidays past can be recreated in even a small garden space.

The essentials include

  • Lush Foliage Plants
  • Water
  • Balinese style ornaments

After this we look at structures including Gazebos, maybe some Balinese flags and even some bamboo or rattan chairs.

Zen design principles are an important part of the actual design. Balinese gardens often incorporate elements of such as carefully arranged rocks, gravel, and sand.

10 Elements of Balinese Garden Design

  • Natural Materials:
    Typically Balinese design incorporates the use of stone, bamboo and timber that lends itself easily to blend in with the tropical plants.
  • Tropical Plants:
    Both flowering plants and foliage plants help create a lush tropical look that are an integral part of Balinese gardens. So flowers for colour and foliage plants for the lush green look.

    Generally those with a lush tropical foliage, and those with flowers are the species that we associate with traditional Balinese styled gardens.

    Some Foliage Plants include Cordylines, Palms and Ferns, Plants with broad foliage such as Alocasia, Ornamental bananas, Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, and gingers. Bamboo works well.

    Some Flowering plants include those such as: Strelitzia, Adenium, Allamanda, Frangipani, Lotus lilies, Spathiphyllum, Bougainvillea and Jasmine.

    Read More about Tropical garden Plants
  • Water Features:
    An important element in Balinese Garden Design, Balinese Water features, Ponds, fountains and stone water bowls all contribute to the overall design.
    Reflection bowls and even small streams all add to the calm tranquil nature of Balinese garden design. Again materials such as bamboo and stone work well.
  • Fish Ponds
    Koi ponds are also popular.
  • Stone Statues and Carvings:
    Stone sculptures and carvings are a commonly used, Dewi Sri the goddess of rice and fertility, Buddha, Balinese Temple Warriors, Lady Tara a Buddhist goddess who is known for her compassion and Dragon statues are all popular.
    Place statues strategically and don’t use too many.
  • Gazebos or Pavilions (Bale)
    Make the most of outdoor living with a traditional Balinese style pavilion. These provide shade and protection from both sun and rain. An essential element of Balinese garden design are the Balinese style gazebos or ‘Bali Huts’, they are usually open sided with a thatched or shingle roof. 
  • Balinese umbrellas:
    These can used instead of or as an adjunct to Gazebos. Colourful and again providing shade.
  • Balinese Textiles:
    Use traditional textiles such as the colourful Batik in your outdoor living area. Cushions, tablecloths, curtains and mats can all add to the overall look.
  • Bali flags or ‘Umbul Umbuls’ (Balinese flags)
  • Outdoor Lighting
    Soft lighting using traditional lanterns is common. String light is another popular ay of providing outdoor lighting.
Balinese Garden Water Feature
Balinese Garden Water Feature

Other Elements of Balinese Garden include:

Gates and Archways

Gates and archways are another element of Balinese gardens that can add to the overall effect of the garden.

Fencing and panels

Bamboo fencing panels are a great way of consolidating the overall look of a Balinese style garden. Bamboo fencing comes in both rolls and panels, it can easily be attached to existing structures or used as a stand alone screen .

John Allman 

Resources

  • Gazebos
  • Water Features
  • Indonesian Botanic Gardens
  • Bali Gardens New Zealand
  • ASEAN National Flowers
  • Balinese Gardens on Facebook
  • Bali Orchid Gardens

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