If you’re searching for inspiration for your next garden makeover, a great place to start is by looking to garden trends found in other countries. And one country famed for its distinctive gardens is Japan.
Japanese gardens are renowned for the calm and ordered spaces. If you’re looking to create a garden where you can nurture healthy habits such as mindfulness or simply where you can relax and de-stress, taking inspiration from Japan could be a great idea. You don’t have to have a huge garden to incorporate the culture into your own outdoor space. A small terrace or patio can equally be home to Japanese features.
Japanese gardens tend to be ordered, calm spaces that focus on shapes, textures and the use of light, reflection and sound. Empty space complements planting schemes and there are often quiet spaces for simply sitting and thinking.
Getting Started
The first place to start is by looking at the shape and size of your garden and deciding what features would work well in your space. If you only have a small garden, you can still incorporate Japanese features. Hunt for rustic containers in the Japanese style to plant traditional plants, create a simple rockery or add a small water feature.
Of course, if you have more space; you can incorporate even more features such as a pond, a bridge, a cherry blossom tree, or even a pagoda or tea house.
The key to creating a beautiful garden is to build it slowly over time, adding new elements each season. You don’t have to turn your entire space into a Japanese garden all at once. For a subtler touch, you can blend Japanese influences into your existing garden scheme. Perhaps start small with some simple plants, a water feature, stepping stones, rockery or raked gravel.
Water is often used in Japanese gardens and if you have the space, an ornamental pond can be a lovely addition to your garden. For an authentic look, add Koi Carp. If you don’t have space for a pond, you can still add water features. Choose a spot where you can place seating nearby, creating a space for relaxation and meditation as you listen to the water trickle and flow.
Stones and rocks feature heavily in Japanese gardens. You could add a rockery or create a path using smooth stepping stones. In Japan, paths are used to guide people through the garden and should always lead somewhere so perhaps place a seat or water feature at the end of your path.
In large gardens, the opportunities are endless. You could add a cherry blossom tree to enjoy the iconic pretty pink and white blossoms in springtime. Or add structural features to create a traditional Japanese look such as a bridge, pagoda or Japanese tea house.
Japanese Plants
There are a wide range of plants traditionally found in Japanese gardens that can be grown successfully in your own garden. Hosta, maples, azaleas and ferns are all good choices. And of course, if you have the time to care for them, bonsai trees will look lovely as part of your Japanese scheme.
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