5 Responses to “I want to create a Japanese garden in my backyard can anyone help, provide details and ideas?”

1. Rachel Lee says:

   April 8, 2010 at 3:33 pm

   A bunch of reading here.

   My Best
2. Marcia says:

   April 8, 2010 at 3:56 pm

   I would start with the library. We’ve been looking into the concept of a Japaneese garden as well. Among other things, we’ve learned that there is a difference between “old” and “traditional” Japaneese gardens and modern Japaneese gardens. Even within the “traditional” styles, there is more than one “type”; sort of similar to the differences in English “formal”, “cutting”, “cottage” gardens. What we’re finding important is to understand the concepts, feeling, and function of each. And then, turn to the styles, vegetation types, hard and firmscapes, and the required formulas for each.

   Among other things, there is to be a “oneness with the native/natural surroundings” If you follow this concept, one could even make a garden with a Japaneese feel out of desert cacti. Only after you have some type of understanding of concpets of a Japaneese garden, will you have a feel of which types of hardscapes to add, how to place them, and what type of scale/size they should be for your space.

   You might also want to check out Chineese garden types too. The Chineese have more color and variety of vegetation. From what we’ve read, they seem to be less rule bound and rigid.

   Oddly enough, we found a pretty good explanation of Japaneese gardens in what is now an old Time Life publication called “Japaneese Gardens”. The library or a used book store is the place to locate this long out of print book.
3. weather says:

   April 8, 2010 at 4:20 pm

   bamboo is definately the BEST plant to have to give you a chinese feel. many bamboo is hardy to 10 degrees fahenheit, and some down to 0. some dwarf veriety can survive to -30 fahrenheit and come up from the roots. when ever growing amboo it needs a barrier on the sides and bottom so it doesnt start to spread becuase they can take over a backyard especially in warm weather.

   also bonsai is great. if you live in a decently warm climate camellias are great. you can cut them so they stay small, and make them look interesting. camellias are from china and japan and can survive to 10 degrees fahrenheit with some verieties surviving down to -5 or more. also nece spring and fall flowers

   a water fall is a great idea too for that feel of a japanese garden

   if you live in so cold of a climate that you cant grow anything listed above, then you can bonsai a pine tree or hardy shrub to give a japanese look, or bring in dwarf bamboo trees, and camellias.

   if you live in a very mild climate many palm trees such as the chinese fan palm, dragon palm, and fishtail palm are good choices.

   if you live in a decent climate windmill palms can be worth a try. they are tropical looking, but also japanese looking since they are found in the wild in aisa. also the hardiest of all trunking palms and it will tollerate 10 degrees, but with protection outside during its first two winters it will be okay if nights get as cold as 5 degrees. needle palms are also good at giving an aisan feel and once an adult can survive temps as low as -10 degrees fahenheit every winter with damage, but 0 fahrenheit with no damage at all.
4. ralf says:

   April 8, 2010 at 5:09 pm

   Creating a Japanese style garden is a mindset and not just something you build. The Japanese people’s respect and adoration for nature is what you need to discover before you wish to attempt to to build that style of garden. Just your comment about the statues and lanterns says you need to study and contemplate some more before you start.
   Step One: Find a local nature preserve or wildlife area away from all people and human remnants. Spend the whole day by yourself out there and observe nature and how it interacts. Study the flow of the land and the interplay plants and the stones and the water . Enjoy your day and try to learn to respect and admire nature for its wonderful beauty.
   Step Two: Get some books written by the actual Japanese landscape artisans not some American just churning out landscape books. Get the books that have many pictures of actual Japanese gardens. Study those gardens pictures.
   Step Three: Take what you have learned from nature and the pictures you have studied and you can now create a garden.
   Below are some links that may help.

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