Art of making miniature nature
Bonsai
Japanese. Emphasis on 1+ miniature trees. (example images below)
Saikei
Japanese. Emphasis moved from just trees, to also being an entire landscape, including more emphasis on stones, soil, & the shape of the ground. (example images below)
Hòn non bộ
Vietnamese miniature nature landscapes, imitating the scenery of the islands, mountains, & surrounding environment. (example images below)
Japanese Garden
Japanese dry/rock/zen garden (example images below)
List of Japanese gardens in the United States
Your own mini zen garden
Benefits of Gardens
Visual aesthetics.
NASA Clean Air Study: Certain plants remove many harmful polutants from the air.
If food-producing, then self-sufficiency.