You are here:

Japanese Garden Style

Influences from Abroad

Pure and Simple

Planting should be kept simple. The basic motif of Japanese garden design is green, so grasses are a vital ingredient. There are several different families of grasses, including Carex, which has a staggering 1,500 species, Miscanthus with 20 species and Stipa with 300, so you'll be spoilt for choice. Other plants to try include the orangey Stipa Arundinacea or the fabulous Stipa Gigantica. Get all these grasses and more from Manor Nursery or phone (01799) 513481.

A Japanese garden wouldn't be complete without bamboo. Japanese bamboo will grow to a height of 15 feet (4.5 metres). Good all-purpose bamboos are available from the Palm Centre, with prices from £9.95. Order from The Palm Centre or visit them in Ham, Surrey, tel: (020) 8255 6191.

Pot Magic

Grasses look great in pots. These big contemporary planters (75cm/29in high) are made of fibre glass but look like terracotta. Available from Capital Garden Products for £384 or phone (01580) 201 092.

For a cheaper range of terracotta-effect planters, try Prestige Plants. Prices start at £16 for a pot 26cm (10in) high. Manufactured in Italy out of polyethylene resin, they're almost indestructible and look very realistic.

Water Features

Every Japanese garden must have water, whether it's a lake topped with a decorative bridge or a simple water feature.

A ceramic bowl filled with water and fed by a Japanese bamboo water hammer will look authentic and give you the soothing sound of running water. This decorative water hammer, called the Deerscarer, costs £20 and is available from Exotic and Oriental.

Rising Sun

As modern gardens become more like outdoor rooms, lighting has become much more popular; but the Japanese started it thousands of years ago. Traditionally they used stone lanterns, providing a dimly glowing backdrop to the tea ceremonies that took place in the gardens.

If you want an authentic look, place a tea light inside this Bamboo Light Post, £20, from Exotic and Oriental.

Your Comments

Cytania wrote on 14 Jun 2005 at 10:28 AM

This is acutally a huge subject and possibly one of the hardest styles to get right. Here are some more pointers;

Rocks - in a japanese gardens rocks are as important as plants. The choosing and placing of a rock is just as considered as Alan Titchmarsh getting the face of a tree right.

Water - a very important element, even if it is a dry pond! Aim for an organic 'gourd' shape with a crossing bridge.

Moss - very important low planting to offset the verticals of trees. Consider MYOB (Helxine) or ophiopogon planiscarpus (modo grass) if moss doesn't grow naturally.

Flowers - Keep to a minimum, pick shrubs that flower rather than planting bedding.

Colour - Japanese maples give autumn colour making and azelias (or photinia if soil not acid) gives spring colour.

Scent - consider daphne odora and choysia ternata for good foliage looks and seasonal fragrance.

Asymmetry - avoid mirror image planting and trying to balance plants. Look for a 'dynamic interplay between branch an ground.

Space - Don't be afraid to leave empty space. These will make your actual elements far more effective

Accesories - Lanterns, water basins, deer scarers can make this look. But avoid using them to bludgeon the viewer when the rest of the garden isn't properly Japanese style. Beware poorly made Chinese lanterns in garish red colouring - look for simple granite that will age well.
Something to say? Add a comment...
See all posts