I was always under the impression that Japanese gardens were always more about texture, foliage and meticulous control rather than flowers.

OATH5, yes, of course you are right. But since we love
roses, if a gardener always loved Japanese gardens, maybe
there is a way to incorporate Antique roses and make it
all work, plus be a unique twist on this garden style.

I'm thinking that if it had roses then it would be something other than a Japanese garden. You could call it something else. I do see your idea though. I think it wouldn't have anything but white or very pale pink roses, very few and with a sparse growth habit or maybe a rambler with small flowers growing in one part. In my garden there is a shade garden that is like a Japanese garden. When people walk through there they are relieved to stop looking at roses for a while and enjoy the variety of leaves and textures.

Pam, the roses you describe, would be perfect for a Japanese
garden that would include roses. Roses that are like peonies
would be great, too.

Somehow I'm thinking of simple petal roses, more delicate that the fuller roses. Sort of cherry blossomy but during the summer. And of course pastel colors.

There's a Japanese garden thread here on GW. Maybe they have some ideas.

I agree with buford.
A few carefully placed, simple roses with single blooms would look great in a Japanese garden, in my opinion.

The first rose I would consider would be 'Mutabilis'. Not only are the blooms right for a Japanese garden, but even more so, the growth habit of the plant itself screams "oriental" when mature.

If you wouldn't mind blooms that were a little more vibrantly colored than Mutabilis, I would also consider 'Basye's Blueberry' for a Japanese garden. I mention it also because the typical Japanese garden would not at all welcome a thorny plant. Thorns don't relay the type of soothing flow & calming energy you'd normally want in such a garden. Basye's Blueberry is completely thornless.

Randy

Basye's Blueberry:
{{gwi:317155}}

Comtesse du Cayla is supposed to have a very oriental and architectural look about her, if left to grow without a great deal of pruning.

I think both Basye's Bluebery and Mutabilis would also look nice. Maybe even a graceful, arching, simple white flowered rose too, sort of a hybrid musk style.

Devon, I think your ideas sound wonderful. I'm not one to be locked into a bunch of rigid "rules" either.

Sandy

Kerria a repeat flowering yellow shrub (of the rosacae family) often called Japanese Rose appears in many formal Japanese Gardens Kerri has either single or double form.
Even the Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka Rose Garden and Keisei Rose Garden in Japan look pretty much like rose gardens around the world laid out beds and arches for climbers basic rose museums.

Aren't rugosa roses from Japan?

Devon---I have always loved the peace and serenity of a Japanese garden-----

some good ideas here----

I have a Kerria bush-----it is pale yellow and gets very big here under the shade of a Pin Oak---

Dh chopped it way back last year and now I think it is twice as big as it was---

should be beautiful next spring.
this is from last year{{gwi:317156}}

How about a beautiful Camellia called Rose
{{gwi:317157}}

Florence

I love camellias, I just planted Frost Princess and she's getting ready to bloom any day now, it's horrible, I'm stuck at college!

And yes, rugosas are from Japan, I forgot all about them. My Rosalie de L'Hay has a wonderful spreading shape that would compliment asian themed gardens.

Just one I bookmarked. I must find the other one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hisako's roses

Devon, I can imagine this along with you. Sounds dreamy. I think the airy, delicate China roses would "fit". They remind me of patterns on a kimono. I can picture the elegant "Sally Holmes" here too.