How to Design a Japanese Garden

If one were to seek the perfect garden, the quest would cease in Japan. Using their gardens as an expression of the self for more than 1,000 years, the Japanese have viewed closeness with nature as the essence of life. Europeans chose watercolors and the Greeks chiseled – while the Japanese painted with the autumnal colors of the maple, and sculpted by training the branches of the black pine.

This relationship with their gardens is seen in the natural landscape of Japan. Waterfalls, rushing streams, mosses and ferns cover a chain of volcanic islands where typhoons, floods and earthquakes displayed their unpredictable powers to the early Japanese. Hence, rocks, seas and forests became spiritual forces, possessing the ability to express profound truths. These truths are revealed to the imagination of those who viewed the Japanese garden.

While the ultimate aim of the Japanese landscape is to reveal the mysteries of nature and creation, Westerners take their gardens less personally. Yet, today, more people are intrigued by the beauty of this landscape art form.

Few homeowners have the space or funds to install an Emperor’s Tea Garden; however, many have prime areas in the landscape to facilitate the same design elements on a lesser scale. Not only does Japanese design cooperate with our need for conservation of space, but it also results in a low-maintenance garden. Should you choose to install this type of garden, certain guidelines should be followed.

Site Preparation

This begins with weed control. If weeds are a problem (especially bermuda grass), spray with Roundup. These herbicides translocate down into the root system, completely destroying the plant, without contaminating the soil. However care must be taken. These sprays are non-selective. This means they will kill any plant with which they come in contact – so don’t use the sprays on a windy day and cover plants in close proximity. Also, wait at least two weeks after spraying before you cultivate the soil. This will insure complete root-kill.

Add topsoil for each mound desired. Generally, one yard of topsoil forms a nice, low, six by eight foot mound. If in doubt as to how much soil is needed, jot down your measurements and call a sand and gravel company. Explain what you are doing. They’re experts on figuring and they’ll even deliver amounts as small as one yard. When bringing in top-soil, inquire about the weed content – you don’t want more problems.

Principles of Design

Start with a sketch. First, when incorporating a mound, arrange boulders to establish overall form and boundaries. Then establish a main focal point which could be trained windswept pine, dipping bowl, clump of specimen bamboo or a lantern. Just be sure to place it off-center in the composition. Other elements should complement, not compete.

Arrange rocks, shrubs and other elements using a triangular placement. This triad method of composition has long been used by the Japanese to attain symmetrical, balanced effects. Horizontal lines should be dominant. Too many vertical elements give the garden a restless look, and block the view.

For an article on landscaping with boulders take a look here

Examples of horizontal lines are low, flat, round rocks, raked warf plants with prostrate growth habits. Also, don’t reveal everything at once. For example, a streambed should begin at the base of two or three large rocks placed together, signifying a waterfall, then meander off quietly behind plants, or under decking. This fits the design into your yard as if it belongs there.

Rock is the most important design component in a Japanese garden. While we have plants nurseries here, there are rock nurseries in Japan. Some sand and gravel companies will let you hand-pick rocks and boulders, allowing you to select individual pieces with character. Moss-rock is the favorite for this type of architecture. It should be purchased in different sizes and shapes to avoid monotony in the design.

If you like Japanese Maples take a look at this article

Fortunately, many plants used in the American garden are of Japanese origin. Remember to select dwarf varieties of plants, or those which are controlled easily by selective pruning. Also, when grouping plants of the same species, use uneven numbers for symmetry. Finishing touches can make the garden more enjoyable if they are used with imagination and restraint. Bamboo fences or guard rails form the boundaries. Flat, rock stepping stones invite, and lanterns with glowing candles guide the path.