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Tropical Gardening
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"Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does you garden grow?" |
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The creation of a traditional Thai garden was subject to rules that were moulded by social customs and superstitions. Contradicting Shakespeare's famous words, "What's in a mane?", Thai gardens prove there is a lot. In a traditional Thai garden particular plants and flowers were traditionally positioned in predetermined areas of the garden. Specific herbs, spices and vegetables were grown for use in preparing food and caring for the sick. Interestingly certain plants bearing inauspicious sounding names were taboo, likewise plants with names that sound lucky were rewarded with prize position in the garden. Others were believed to possess such strong spiritual purity that common dwellings were unworthy of their presence. The principles of traditional Thai garden design are as fascinating as the Thai culture; they are an intriguing blend of Buddhist beliefs and superstitions with individualistic threads woven into a colourful, fragrant and purposeful living area. The thoughtful practice of designing home gardens according to Thai tradition is unfortunately dying out. Modern hybrid species grow faster, stronger and have brighter blooms, commerce has directed people to purchase herbs and spices rather than grow them and fashion also dictates what one should grow in the garden. However, a few elements of traditional Thai garden design remain eagerly observed.
Traditionally Thai houses are raised from the ground, forming a useful and shaded area under the house in which to work, play or rest out of the hot sun. Although the garden would probably be surrounded by thriving jungle, tall leafy trees growing next to the house provide a highway for snakes, rats and other jungle critters to access the roof and so nowadays, Thais pave the area. This paving may be given colour by potted plants; any kind of bon (caladium), chuan-chom (a small plant with frangipani-like purple flowers) and crotons are common examples. Jasmine (mali) is ever-present in Thai gardens for its fragrance. Jasmine bushes are purposefully positioned near open doorways and windows so that the perfume can drift into the house with the breeze. There is a broad category of plants bearing names beginning with wahn, which may be present in a potted Thai garden. These plants are believed to possess attributes of luck and protection and each holds an auspicious name. A beautiful example is the wahn-see-tit also commonly known as a compass flower; up to four peach-coloured, trumpet-shaped flowers can bloom on a single stem, the flowers face due north, south, east and west explaining the name. If a wahn-see-tit yields all four flowers at once, it is considered a strong sign of good fortune. The surrounding garden of a Thai house is generally a utilitarian one. The presence of a star-gooseberry tree in the front of the house is said to inspire affection from others, because the name ma-yom is similar to ni-yom meaning to admire. The kaam in ma-kaam or tamarind tree is considered to boost inner strength or gleng kaam. In the same vein, planting a jackfruit tree, don kha-nun, in the backyard will foster feelings of nun, which translates as support.
Fruit-bearing trees provided sustenance and possible currency for the family if they could sell the fruit at the local market. Each region of Thailand has signature fruits that are well-adjusted to growth in that specific area. Mango, durian, coconut, rambutan, mangosteen and guava are some of the best-known Thai fruits and are now widely cultivated. There was always an area for the growing of herbs and spices. Basil, mint and coriander are essential ingredients to many regional Thai dishes, as are chilies, lemongrass, bulbs like garlic, and red onion and rhizomes like ginger and galangal. In addition to adding the zest that Thai food is famous for, these herbs and spices doubled as medicinal ingredients far before modern pharmaceuticals caught up and dominated the health systems. Basil was used to treat throat infections, nausea and bad complexion, garlic was a vital component to kill bacteria of the skin and subtle combinations of ginger and galangal are still widely used to fight immune deficiencies. Some wahn plants also had curative properties; wahn phraya lang jirt is a form of ginseng which was traditionally utilized as antivenin.
A number of plants and trees are incorporated due to their connection to Buddhism. Don prong, a plant of the genus cycas, is similar in appearance to a bonsai palm. Its elegant, simplistic form is said to symbolize existential Buddhist beliefs and the owner of a prong tree is likely to be a devout disciple. Heliconias from the tropical genus Canna, grow readily throughout Thailand and a garden decorated with the showy flowers of phutaruksa or tamaruksa makes much merit with Buddha, both signifying a wish the gardener sends to his divine being. Owing to the reverence the Thai people have for Buddhism, it is not surprising that some plants are forbidden because of their connection to the religious beliefs. The don po or Bo tree is a fig tree native to South East Asia and is regarded as sacred by Buddhists. It is believed that the spirit of the tree is too powerful for a domestic garden and thus the Bo tree is usually found within the walls of a temple, wrapped in colourful ribbons, scarves and garlands. To build a house beside a mature Bo tree would be considered disrespectful and villagers would probably opt to construct a temple on the site instead. On a practical level, the immense root system of a Bo tree would make fast, damaging work of any infrastructure. Don ngiew, the red cotton tree of the genus bombax, has bright orange-red coloured flowers that Northern Thai people use to make soup. The wood of the same tree is used for making coffins and so is not very appealing as home garden material. The ngiew tree is also featured in depictions of Buddhist hell; unfaithful spouses are shown climbing its trunk chased by a tiger. It is quite a grizzly aspect of this peace-loving religion.
Certain flowers are prized for their positive qualities and others shunned due to name. The delicate beauty of the frangipani is often disregarded by Thai people because they associate lan-tom with ra-tom, which means sorrow. H. R. Princess Sirinthorn renamed this flower to leelawadee, which loosely translates as attractiveness and since, the popularity of this fragrant and stunning plant has soared. The similar looking chuan-chom also receives high praise and popularity and is a fond namesake for young girls who are bubbly and full of personality. The striking blossoms of the bougainvillea or feung fah fill grey Bangkok streets with vibrant tresses of colour. They grow fast and rapidly provide a thorny canopy of shade for pavillions and outdoor areas. The word fah is associated with the divine beauty and untouchability of angels; it was believed that the maturing daughter of the owner of a healthily blossoming feung fah will be unsuccessful in acquiring betrothal because she likely appears too beautiful to touch. Clearly, this belief is dying as bougainvillea is readily found in almost all areas of the Kingdom. A prosperous garden stands as evidence of a caring individual with a deep respect and admiration for that most powerful of forces; nature. When it comes to traditional Thai beliefs for home garden design, decisions may all be on name but that name is prosperity; social, financial, medical and ultimately spiritual prosperity. What's in a name? Lots. |
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Tropical Living: March 2003, Volume2 Issue 10 |
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