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New Japanese inspired garden-need sugestions

16 years ago

I posted this in the Japanese Garden gallery but have not received suggestions. Perhaps overall garden diesign is more the forum.

I have recently moved into a new house and have several areas for gardens. There are some large rocks in one area so I have begun to create a Japanese style garden in that area (a triangle 40'X 20'). It is larglely in the sun.

So far I have a rock for sitting, an elevated serpentine flowering cherry, 2 mugo pines, a Jane Kluis pine, some ilex crenata for mounding, repens junipers and some small sedum for color. I would very much like suggestions for improvements in rock/plant placement. I can move all but the large flat sitting rock.

Would it make sense to add Japanese maples (or plums) just outside the border to provide shade?

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Comments (3)

bonsai_audge
16 years ago
The rock placement should suggest something, which is another way of saying that they should have some sort of unity to them. Currently, there are very few rocks in the bed (and this may because you're just starting, so it's not a bad thing), but really be consciencious of what you're trying to acheive. A sitting rock is all well and good, but how does that tie in with everything else?

Stones have a great importance in many, in not a large majority, of Japanese gardens, and their significance in the landscape is great. I suggest that you check out some books from the library and read up and, more importantly, immerse yourself in examples of classic Japanese gardens. There are some really bad examples and there are some really good examples of Japanese gardens out there, so by familiarizing yourself with them will help you distinguish the good from the bad and help you along with your goal of creating your own.

-Audric
stevega
Original Author
16 years ago
Audric,
Thank you for the input. I have done some research and I am struggling with theme and unity. My attempt at unity is using rocks from the same area and arranging them on roughly the same axis as if from one paritally buried outcrop area. The theme is a miniature rocky mountainous area where the pines and hollies will represent patches of forest. The serpentine cherry winds skyward from the top of the mountain and rains back down to earth. the sedum should creep and cascade representing waterfalls.
I'm not sure how more rock would fit in. I do think that it needs pathway(s) but I can't decide on enclosure-good or bad.
Again, thank you for your help. I welcome any more input
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Steve, I've been looking at and trying to find locally, a sport of bloodgood, "Shaina" for my garden. It stays relatively small -- 5' x 5' and is mounding. I'm looking at it for color and think it might work for you, too, and it would be a great addition to what you've done already. I'm also thinking a Kousa Dogwood, such as "Wolf Eyes" would be an great understory tree. What I've done in my garden is include "Asian" elements and plants: Siberian Iris, Tree Peonies, Azaleas, Rhodos, etc. What I'm finding that pleases my eye and continues a calm ambiance, is groupings of the same plant. My garden is 85' x 30'. I'm fairly new at this and am poking along trying different things, adding and subtracting as I go along. It's all an experiment and I'm having fun. Good luck to you on discovering what you like and what pleases you! I usually hang out over in Perinneals and I'm no expert anywhere. If you're looking to strictly follow Japanese style gardening que's, these folks are great. If you're interested, below is a link to my garden pix. Honey Here is a link that might be useful: Asian Inspired Garden
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Saypoint zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Post this on the forum rather than the gallery and include a link to a larger photo.

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