Riparium Ikebana

[hydrophyte]

Riparium Ikebana

I have been working on the idea of incorporating aspects of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement, into planted riparium aquascapes.

Ikebana uses more theory than regular decorative flower arranging and emphasizes minimalism, negative space, balance, movement and the incorporation other plant parts, such as stems and leaves...

Google: Ikebana

An ikebana-inspired riparium planting could look very good. Here are some of the elements that I propose using in such a planted layout...

• shallow and broad rimless aquarium enclosure
• the best hardscape and gravel materials
• graceful, slender and vertical driftwood branches
• nano fish
• erect riparium stem or grassy plant with open foliage and graceful form
• shorter midground foliage providing depth and contrast

Here is one plant that I think might work well with this idea, cat palm (Chamaedorea catractarum). In a regular riparium setup I would use several cat palm to make the tall background foliage, but for this ikebana layout with it I would use just a single cat palm plant, then arrange shorter riparium foliage down around its base.



Cat palm is a true marginal aquatic palm--it grows along the edges of rainforest streams in Southern Mexico--and does really well in the riparium planters.

[cdckjn]

Good inspiration! Show us some pictures as proof of concept so that we can contribute ideas to make it even better. Jia You!