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Swami Kripalu Meditation Garden
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1 Grotto Garden 5
4 Terrace Gardens
East Entrance Garden
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Special Places
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North of the grotto garden and higher in elevation is the Swami Kripalu Meditation Garden, where people enjoy a sweeping view of the Stockbridge Bowl and far mountains. People also sit quietly on benches or meditate. Shade-tolerant plants border the rectangle of white crushed stone, which is surrounded by a canopy of hemlocks. 2
The Ayurvedic garden features herbal plants to educate students about the millennia old practice of Ayurveda. It is an enclosed space northeast of the Annex, where people can spend time and admire the garden. 3
6 Labyrinth 5 South Entrance Garden
Soils Soils of the Berkshires region are typically low acid to slightly alkaline; the top layers are acidic and the substrata (the layers closer to the bedrock) are alkaline. Soil tests indicated that the top 6”- 8” of the south lawn on the west and east sides of the south drive had a pH of 5.4 and 5.8. The soil between the trees of the allee on the south drive had a pH of 7.3, which may have resulted from salt used for winter road maintenance. All soils had low lead levels. The pH balance and soil composition determine which plant communities will be successful on Kripalu’s campus.
The terrace gardens, directly adjacent to Shadowbrook’s south building entrance at the top of the stairs, overlook the south lawn and provide a view of the lake. These gardens are easily accessible and provide flat gathering places. The only outdoor seating near the building is here. Guests are able to socialize and eat at tables under shade structures for relief from the sun. 4
The south and east gate are identified by a silver Kripalu sign on a low rock, surrounded, but not concealed by, plants. The angled signs are not easily visible to motorists from either direction. Guests on the woodland trails can walk through the south entrance garden on their way to the lake house.
7 Lake House
Grotto garden. The rock wall is planted with sun-loving perennials that thrive in all-day exposure, but it is open to passing traffic on the east drive.
0
200’
Swami Kripalu Meditation Garden. This quiet and serene garden overlooking the mansion site is a place for contemplation.
400’
Ayurvedic Garden. This herb garden has a special function as the living classroom for ayurvedic students learning the art of herbal healing.
a landscape master plan for
Stockbridge Bowl
Kripalu
5
Terrace Gardens. Popular because of the view and sense of enclosure, the terrace fills up quickly at meal times in warm weather.
center for yoga & health
3 Ayurvedic Garden
and
The Shadow Brook era left a grotto garden on 1 the north side of the east drive, across from the mansion site. The rock garden is fully exposed to sun and vehicles all day. Gardens from the Jesuit era survive, but have been changed by Kripalu’s groundskeeping staff.
Vegetation: Gardens & Soils
Gardens
The labyrinth on the west side of the south drive was planted to honor survival and resilience. It allows people to meander through a circular pattern defined by conifers, grasses and other perennial plants. 6
Erin Hepfner & Kate Tompkins The Conway School www.csld.edu Spring 2011
The mixed use of the property has produced gardens and destinations from different eras, with different intentions.
Analysis
Vegetation: Gardens & Soils
Labyrinth. The labyrinth is composed of spiraling evergreens and perennials. It sits just under the crest of a hill in the south lawn.
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