The Japanese garden is famous for its beauty, silence and relaxing effect. Here you can endlessly enjoy the perfect landscape and become one with nature. If you want to have a piece of paradise like this at home, follow these 16 steps that will explain how you can create a Japanese garden. Create your own paradise step by step and enjoy your free time in a special way.
1. Great ideas on the Internet on how to create a Japanese garden
You can also use books for this purpose or even design such a garden with your own ideas. There are now plenty of examples like this outside of Japan. There are a variety of suggestions on the Internet that you can use. We also have some interesting articles on this topic. Just browse through our inspirations.
2. Choose the right topic
There are different themes, such as Zen, Shinto or the imperial style. The theme also shapes the function of the garden - some are originally used only for meditation and others simply for walking. There are many options that can be applied. Despite the actual meanings of the different styles, garden owners today tend to choose the style for visual reasons. Different elements from the different styles can also be combined with each other.
3. Important elements
There are some elements that are very important to the Japanese garden, such as the stones (called suseiki), the water and of course the plant species. Of course, these should not be missing and should be used in the garden according to the style. The landscape can be both lush and simple, have more stone than green space, and include smaller or larger ponds or other water features.
4. Sculptural aspects
If you want to create a Japanese garden, there are also sculptural and decorative aspects to consider, such as lanterns, pavilions, pagodas, stone stairs, water bowls, fences, etc. All of these elements are part of Japanese garden design and can be used in different ways become. Lanterns provide lighting in the evenings, but are also interesting eye-catchers during the day and, together with the other decorations, set the mood.
You can use typical Japanese pavilions to design your seating area. Stairs made of natural stone connect different levels with each other. Ponds or streams usually also have a bridge, which can be made of wood or stepping stones in the water. There is also plenty of suitable inspiration for this.
5. The location
Choose a nice and large place. Small hills can add even more charm to your Japanese garden and are anything but annoying. There are enough ideas for flat and hilly surfaces. Hilly areas are usually lush with vegetation. Various types of moss, as well as lawns and ground cover, are suitable for this. Flat areas are perfect for beds that are particularly popular with gravel or bark mulch.
6. Plant species
Think about what kind of plants you want to use when creating your Japanese garden. Typical plant species are the exotic bamboo, the red-leaved Japanese maple, the cherry with its attractive flowers in spring, the azalea, camellia, iris, but also the already mentioned moss, etc. Some plant species may not be suitable for year-round garden design and must therefore stay in the bucket and be stored indoors in winter. Find out about this in advance and think carefully about how much space you would have in the house for such plants.
Of course, don't forget the bonsai for the garden. This does not mean the tiny specimens that we know for indoor use. Various evergreen plants can be planted directly in the garden and obtained spherical crowns with a topiary. Suitable plants for this include various types of pine, larch, juniper, Ilex, taxus, pine and also some elms.
7. Design of the garden
Make a draft first. Consider how tall the plants will grow, as well as what they will look like - individually or collected in a group. You can also consider whether you have space for a small pond. By planning all the elements to scale on a piece of paper, you will get a better idea of the finished garden design and will be able to better assess whether there are too many plants or could even add a few more, how big the pond should be and where the paths should be should lead.
8. Expect changes
Very important when creating a Japanese garden is to expect changes. This is a major theme in Buddhist philosophy. The garden will change after each season. If you take this into consideration, you can get the maximum effect from it. In general, it is an advantage to think about all seasons when designing any type of garden. In the Japan garden you get attractive colors, especially in autumn, thanks to the Japanese maple. So that a variety of colors can also be present in other seasons, choose plants with different leaf colors and leaf structures.
9. Place the plants
Decide where you will place the plants. Work with the landscape. This way the garden will look more natural but also more beautiful. Planning is therefore the be-all and end-all so that a pleasant structure is ultimately created. The final size of each plant must be taken into account. After all, in a few years you don't want to have a dense forest in your garden, but you want to keep the look that you originally planned.
10. Install the pond
Once you have decided on a garden pond, think carefully about which location and size are most suitable. The same also applies to streams and similar elements that you choose. It is best to consult a specialist. Alternatively, if there is not enough space, you can create a mini pond, usually using bowls. These variants are also pleasant and have a relaxing effect.
11. Set up the bench
Decide where you want to place a bench. The space should be optimal to be able to observe the garden and have a relaxing effect. In principle, the garden bench is another place where you can enjoy your garden design. Of course, several benches can also be distributed so that you can choose your seat according to your mood.
12. Buy plants
Buy the plants you want and place them in the previously marked places.
13. Check and change
Inspect the plants on site while they are still in the pots. This will give you a rough estimate of what your garden will look like. Maybe you will change your design plan and make some corrections.
14. Fill in the pond
Build the pond according to precise instructions from the supplier. Fill the pond with water and let it sit for a few days before adjusting the water level and letting in the plants and fish.
15. Sculpture elements
Use elements such as stones, lanterns or pagodas in your sculpture.
16. Sit down and enjoy
Place a bench where you can have a nice view of the pond and plants.
