Japanese Garden Design

To recreate a Japanese garden in our smaller landscapes, it is important to understand the use of perspective, scale and natural elements in Japanese gardens.

Perspective

When designing the Japanese garden, you want to create an illusion of being in a larger landscape.

To do this, identify a viewing point, whether a place in the garden or a view from a window.

From this point, place trees in different heights to create the illusion of depth and distance in the garden, with the tallest near your viewing point and gradually diminishing.

Do the same with stones, and plants of various sizes, always focusing on the perspective from where you are viewing the garden.

The view into the garden should imitate that of the larger landscape of nature.

Intensely colored place should be placed closer to your viewing point, gradually decreasing in intensity with the depth of the garden.

Scale

The pond or water feature should be in the proper scale for the garden space.

Visualize the pond as a lake, and consider the size of the trees and other plantings will that you will incorporate into the overall design.

Create a space that looks like a natural environment. A waterfall with stones should have the proper proportion to the pond, as a mountain waterfall might be in nature.

Natural Elements

Stones are key elements, imitating majestic mountains. Stones that are too small will be insignificant and detract from the overall view.

Sand or gravel that is carefully maintained will add to the openness of nature at the shoreline.

The garden should be nature in miniature, and stones and sand are the focal points of this view.

Placement of trees and other plantings will help define the flow through the garden, and should be of graduating sizes.

Decorative Elements

The use of decorative garden elements is important in Japanese garden design.

Pagodas, statues and lanterns should be in proportion to the overall size and scale of the landscape they are in.

If you are using a bridge, its scale should be in proportion with the water features.

Walking paths in nature are never straight and even, so any you place in the garden should follow a natural flow between trees and plantings.

By incorporating the elements of Japan's natural landscape and surrounding it with trees or natural fencing, the gardener creates a private place to reflect on the beauty of nature.

More Japanese Garden Design

Japanese Tea Garden
The calming elements and mood created in a Japanese tea garden can lift our spirits and help us focus on more meaningful aspects of life.

Japanese Garden Ornaments
Many Japanese garden ornaments have been in use in Japan for centuries and have spiritual meaning in the garden, whether to bring good luck or good health, or to ward off evil spirits. They add serenity and harmony to an already beautiful sanctuary.

Japanese Flowers
The key to incorporating Japanese flowers into the garden is to keep it simple, creating additional focal points throughout the landscape.