The Urban Gardener 38

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38th Issue Vol. 4 No. 11 ISSN 2094-1765 November 2011

The Art of Japanese Landscape Design

Japanese landscape design reflects the purebeauty of nature. This carefully planned Asiangarden style is appealing to many homeownersbecause of its ease of maintenance and the simpletranquility it offers.

For many, Japanese gardening is as much a hobby

as it is a landscaping style. Japanese gardens striveto create miniature replicas of nature itself. Thispractice is a highly regarded form of art in Japan.

From interactive bonsai gardens to amazing all-natural scenery, there are a number of different


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ways to integrate an oriental influence into the outdoors.

Japanese garden designs combine Feng Shui and traditional Japanese symbolism withcontemporary landscaping needs. Below are some of the types of Japanese gardens:

Tea gardens are one of themost popular types ofJapanese landscape designsand are ideal for small spaces.These inspirational gardenscombine informal and formalstyles, beginning with acharming outer garden thatbrings guests through the gateto an inner garden surroundingthe ceremonious tea hut.

(Left) Ponds are essential partof Japanese gardens.

Lush greenery with varying blend of autumn colors are often seen in Japanese gardens


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Pond and islandstyle gardens showcase the delicacy of nature, blending into the

overall landscape visible in the distance.

This oriental style works well within larger properties and is centered around a naturallyshaped pond that typically features a footpath and rustic bridges.

Japanese stroll gardens are popular designs for expansive yards as well, oftenblending several Japanese garden types into the space.

Rambling pathways meander throughout these gardens, allowing guests to admire theremarkable, small-scale replicas of nature.

Courtyard gardens are created to provide a scenic view of nature from within yourhome. This traditional Asian style is quite simple and requires very little space.


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A courtyard garden as viewed from a 2nd floor of the house.

Various plants like ferns, bushes, woody plants and herbs are used in the garden


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Zen gardens are another example of traditional Japanese landscape design and arealso designed to be viewed rather than used. Highly symbolic, Zen gardens are primarilycompromised of a variety of rocks and raked gravel to represent water and islands andmay include a small selection of trees and shrubs.

Zen gardens commonly have

simplistic rock gardens like this,which symbolizes islands and thesand are swept around rockswhich symbolizes waves. It has aspiritual symbolism.

Rocks are also essential elementsin Japanese gardens as Japan isnaturally mountainous.

A Zen Garden viewed from inside a house.


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Elements of a Japanese Garden

Although there are manydifferent types of Japanesegardens, the elementswithin each style are verysimilar. Water isrepresented in every Asiangarden and may be anatural pond, a tricklingstream, an exotic koi pond,or can be symbolized byfine sand, smooth pebbles,or gravel. Fountains are notseen in Japaneselandscape designs butnatural water features areabundant.

Rocks, stones, and boulders are a common part of most oriental gardens as well, oftenrepresenting land, islands, or mountains.

Stones are typically part of a Zen garden, can be used to construct foot paths andswalls, and may be used to create simple waterfalls.

Elegant stone lanterns are often placed near water features, representing the oppositeenergies of yin and yang.


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Most Japanese style gardensalso feature simple fences withinviting gates. Fences may createseclusion and privacy or may just

serve as an intriguing border.Whatever the purpose, manyoriental gardens use fences andwalls in interesting ways, oftenwith pathways and simple footbridges curving throughout thegarden.

(Left) a Japanese stone Lantern.

Japanese Garden Plants

Plants are a symbolic part ofJapanese gardens but are not themost prominent feature of theoutdoor space. Subtle colors andpastel hues are common,blending with the sereneatmosphere of the oriental style.

The delicate Japanese maple thatchanges with the seasons andrepresents the continuous


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changes in life.

Plants typically found within a Japanese garden include:

The hardy black pine (trained as a bonsai), symbolizing stability with its evergreen

leaves.


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Low maintenance flowers that provide seasonal color, including azaleas, mums, andpeonies.

Bamboo is usuallyabundant and may serveas a privacy barrier invarious areas of thegarden.

Pines and other trees,like the magnolia and thecherry tree, are alsocommon in Japaneselandscape designs.

Carefully trained bonsaiplants that capture thebeauty of nature on asmaller scale.

If youre consideringbonsai trees for yourJapanese garden, it canbe a fun and rewarding


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The Urban Gardener is an official electronic publication (in PDF Format) of the Plant

Biotechnology Project, Research & Development Center, Rizal Technological University, Boni

Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It is published monthly. For more information, please

inquire thru email: [email protected] [email protected] and landline(+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632) 534-9710.

Edited by N.R. Bautista October 2011The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composed of:Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, & Jovita A. Anit.

experience! We have learned a lot about bonsai gardening after purchasing Erik Olsensbook, 'Bonsai Gardening Secrets'. Full of colorful photos, the book will help you decidewhich type of plant to start with and will teach you the best techniques to train the tree.Our favorite feature is the bonus gift - an informative guide to indoor bonsai gardening.

From reflective Zen gardens to tranquil and relaxing stroll gardens, the Japanese gardenstyle is one of the most impressive, yet simple, types of oriental outdoor design. A veryminimalist design, this style still requires a great deal of precise planning for aharmonious garden that blends with the home.

The Urban Gardener 38

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