Japanese Garden

Japanese gardens have been developed and refined over many centuries and have been shaped by religious and philosophical ideas very different from the classical roots of Christianity and Islam that have shaped European garden traditions.

The basic principal behind Japanese gardens is a quest for harmony and an important element is the idea of retaining the spirit of the place whilst encouraging privacy and silence.

There are many style of Japanese gardens including tea gardens and strolling gardens and it is good idea to get some professional help if you are aiming at this style.

Guide Size

Good size is is 6 m x 6m

Typical Features

• Trees, fences or walls at the sides
• One or more green or attractive plants in containers – bamboos, dwarf pines, grasses
• If room include a small tree such as Japanese Maple
• Raked gravel
• Stone features such as a basin, lantern and stepping stones
• Selected stones are often grouped in threes as these represent three forces – horizontal, vertical and diagonal
• Devices to ward off evil spirits
• Pathways that twist and turn
• Water is a prime feature together with sand, gravel and bamboo fencing

Typical Plants

• Acers
• Bamboos and dwarf pines in decorative containers
• Baby’s tears to spread over the ground.

Maintenance and Care

This type of garden can involve a fair amount of care and maintenance to keep it looking in good condition.