Landscaping Principles

Behind Japanese Gardens

When you think of a Japanese garden, you think of a calmness, a serenity that is unique.  For this and many other reasons, more and more individuals are adding Japanese gardens to their landscaping design. When planned right, they don’t have to be expensive. And, when maintained, they do not take up too much of your time either. 

The biggest mistake that people make when thinking of the Japanese garden is that it is supposed to be full of exotic plants. This is not true. If you understand how they are planned and what is used in them Japanese gardens can be quite a wonderful choice for your home.

Nature Says It All

Take into account what nature provides for you. For example, a pond should not be a perfect circle nor should it be square. Rounded edges compliment the feelings of nature and peace. Space is quite important in Japanese gardening. While not all space should be, leaving some space empty and open is natural and portions the landscaping effectively. Size is also important. If you put something large in a small space, it will not work right. It is out of balance with the surroundings. You should compliment the space that you have and you should allow them to compliment each other in this way.

Enclosures

The enclosure is one of the main design elements in the Japanese garden. This can be fences and gates that allow you to feel secluded or that you are in retreat. There should be an entrance and an exit to allow for the moving in and the moving out. This provides a protective barrier from the outside world. This allows for the garden to be fully enjoyed without worry about what is outside the gates.

Elements Of The Garden

You will find many elements used in the Japanese garden. These will range from rock, water, plants, borrowed scenery and ornaments. Each item provides for a specific purpose. Incorporate them in a variety of ways.

* Rock is the foundation of the garden.  Once you establish this foundation, the rest of the garden comes together on its own. Tall vertical stones as well as short vertical stones, horizontal stones, reclining stones as well as arched stones can be used. Stepping stones offer a path to move through. Rocks have meaning and are quite important. You can place them in this meaning or you can place them to be aesthetically pleasing.

* Water is necessary. It an be a built in feature or one that is raked gravel or sand. The sound of the water is calming and it soothing. It adds beauty and serenity to the garden. In Japanese culture, it is a symbol of the passage of time.

* Plantings are also important. The way that you place the plantings is important to the harmony of the landscape design. Use whichever materials you enjoy such as evergreens, ornamental grasses and various trees. 

* Ornaments are those things that will enhance the garden. They shouldn’t be the main focus though. They are accents to the garden.  These include sculptures, stoops, basins, lanterns and many other things. 

All of these things are examples of what the Japanese garden should be in its more authentic version. If you are looking to add this beautiful escape to your landscaping, make sure to focus on those things that are important, not as much aesthetically appealing but more mind appealing in nature.