JAPANESE GARDEN |Create your own|At home

Ever wondered, why there are so many types of garden ,with different names,different styles? And what is basically a Japanese garden actually?

Japanese garden is one such garden that has always confused people the most. Here at helloaana, our expert editors  have brought you a complete guide to set up a Japanese garden at home. Our editors have made it very easy for you to know everything about Japanese garden. You will also get know the minute details that make an essential part of a Japanese garden at home.

So let us move further and know everything about it!!

1. What is Japanese Garden?

A Japanese Garden can be a true work of art. They are serene and simple places of calm, providing a peaceful retreat for reflection and meditation. They avoid the extravagance of many Western garden designs, and consist mostly of evergreens, rocks, pebbles, sand, ponds and waterfalls.

Any architecture found in the garden tends to be minimalistic, with the focus primarily on natural landscape rather than elaborate and ornate designs. Worn and natural elements are integrated into the gardens, and bright colours are used in a direct manner to represent seasonal shifts.

Some of the most extraordinary garden ideas that I have encountered recently are Japanese gardens. These outdoor spaces are designed to give you a peaceful place where you can relax and rebalance your Zen.

It is a place for meditation, to gain inspiration, and reflect on the events of your life. This guide is designed to show you how delightful a Japanese garden can be and give you a window of ideas that you can look through to discover new Japanese garden ideas that you can create in your own home.

The Japanese garden is to be constructed with the proper combination of rocks, trees and flowers. The garden cannot achieve its full beauty without the harmony of these three elements. Furthermore, the significance of planting design within Japanese gardens is to understand the differences between trees and flowers.

Trees are used primarily for making spaces and flowers are for articulating contrast and continuity. For example in Japan, pine, bamboo and ume plum trees commonly play the main roles within the “garden drama,” while lily, lotus, and peony give the sense of relief and change.

Subsequently, they require different maintenance techniques. In Southern California, since our climate is much different than the temperate climate of Japan, a plant palette that reflects regional conditions but maintains the spirit of Japanese garden principles to work in accordance with nature is encouraged.

What are the elements of a Japanese Garden?

A Japanese garden consists of six key elements: 

i.Water

Water is a constant in Japanese gardens, as a reflection of life and its fundamental role in human existence. Ponds, streams and waterfalls are all popular features. In dry rock gardens known as Zen gardens, water is instead symbolised by sand.

Traditional gardens consist of asymmetrical ponds, positioned as they would be in nature. Ponds symbolise the ocean or a lake, while waterfalls represent a miniature version of Japanese mountain streams.

 It is advised that waterfalls should face towards the moon to capture its reflection. It is thought that water flowing from east to west will carry away evil, and that the owner will have a healthy and long life. Water flowing from north to south is said to bring good luck.

ii.Stone lanterns and water basins

A stone lantern provides a dim light that softly illuminate elements in the garden, and represents the four natural elements – fire, water, earth and wind. Stone water basins are intended for visitors in tea gardens, with guests expected to wash their hands and mouth before the tea ceremony. The water flows through a bamboo pipe into the basin.

Trees and Flowers

Trees and flowers are arranged carefully to create a picturesque scene, or to hide anything unsightly. Trees are selected for their autumnal colours, and flowers are chosen by their season of flowering. Moss is often used to suggest that the garden is ancient. Some of the most popular trees and flowers include the lotus (sacred in Buddhist teachings), pine (representing longevity), azalea, oak, bamboo, cherry, maple and gingko trees.

Rocks

Rocks are an important feature of a Japanese garden, and carry different symbolic representations:

• Vertical rock – Mount Horai, Mount Sumuru or a jumping carp
• Sand and gravel – the ocean or a flowing river
• Horizontal rock -islands or earth
• Rough volcanic rocks – mountains
• Smooth rocks are normally used as stepping stones or around lakes, while hard metamorphic rocks are placed around waterfalls or streams.

Arrangements of three rocks are most common in Japanese gardens – the tallest rock represents heaven, the medium-sized rock is humanity, and the bridge between heaven and earth is shown with the smallest rock.

 Rocks are also evident in clusters of two, five or seven, and are sometimes placed in a random configuration to represent spontaneity.

Bridges and fences

Bridges have been known to symbolise the path to paradise and immortality, and are most often made of natural materials such as wood, stone or logs covered in earth and moss. They are either arched or flat, and became particularly popular in the Edo period when stroll gardens first emerged. Fences are made of bamboo or wood and are kept simple. They are either inner fences, outer fences or fences that extend from the house to the garden.

Fish

Koi are domesticated common carp found in Japanese gardens. They were first developed in Japan in the 1820s, where the various colours were established through careful breeding. Koi is a homophone for ‘affection’ in Japanese, and the fish (known locally as nishikigoi) are a common symbol of love and friendship.

A brief history at a glance–

During its long history, the ideals of Japanese garden designing have been often modified by the prevailing thought of each period. At one time, eminent Zen priests designed gardens in accordance with the principles of their philosophic teaching. At another time, painters became deeply interested and designed gardens as though they were landscapes painted on silk.

In the course of history, the objective standpoint in garden making gave way to the subjective impulse. Various philosophic principles and religious doctrines were applied to the making of gardens, not so much to interpret those principles and doctrines as to rationalize the aesthetics of garden design.

Natural rocks distributed to illustrate familiar philosophic principles and even beliefs of all sorts still continue to some extent to influence the general design of the garden. The aim is to bring humanity close to nature and every conceivable means may be employed to realize it.

Some master garden designers represented landscapes of China and Japan in miniature. They planned the garden and planted trees to give the illusion of the view extending over and beyond its immediate confines, but at the same time they designed it to be a secluded sylvan retreat, great ingenuity being displayed in both directions.

There are two distinct types of Japanese garden: those designed for walking, and those intended to be viewed from a building or veranda.

Read below for some more detail on the seven different types of Japanese gardens.

Types of Japanese garden-

Tsukiyama (Hill and Pond Garden) – Tsukiyama refers to the creation of man-made hills, and is a classic type of Japanese garden that embodies a miniature of natural scenery. Hills, ponds, streams, stones, bridges, flowers, plants and long winding paths can all be found in a Hill Garden, with the aim to facilitate a peaceful stroll. It is typically larger than the Zen Garden.

Chaniwa (Tea Garden) – Like the Hill Garden, a Tea Garden is bigger than a Zen Garden, and features a path often made of stepping stones leading to a tea ceremony house.

Tea Gardens reached the height of their development during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1603) when the tea masters refined their design by embodying them with the spirit of “wabi”, or rustic simplicity.

The garden is made up of an inner and outer garden, with guests using a stone basin (tsubaki) for ritual cleansing when entering the inner garden through the middle gate. Stone lanterns provide both effective lighting and an atmospheric decorative element.

Karesansui (Rock, Dry, Zen Garden) – The Karesansui Garden consists mainly of carefully arranged rocks of varying shapes and sizes surrounded by sand. Flowing sand and gravel are used to represent the sea or rivers, while rocks embodies an island.

The garden represents the spiritualism of Zen Buddhism, and provides a space and simplicity that’s ideal for meditation. The dry garden was introduced in the 14th century when military rulers embraced the newly introduced Zen Buddhism, which had a strong influence on garden design.

Chisen-shoyū-teien (Japanese Pond Garden) – Also from the Heian (794-1185) period is the Japanese Pond Garden, which was originally introduced in China. This style of garden contains a large pond in front of a building with two distinct wings. They are places of stunning scenery where guests can sit and relax, soaking in the surroundings.

Tsuboniwa (Courtyard Garden) – The small space often found between Japanese buildings can be turned into a scenic beauty spot known as a Courtyard garden, made up of simple arrangements with elements from Zen, Hill and Tea Gardens.

 In the past many traditional samurai properties boasted Courtyard Gardens, as did various Japanese merchants. Today they are more likely to be found in temples, and the residences of aristocrats. They were introduced in the Heian period and developed into the Edo (1603-1867) era.

Japanese Paradise Garden – Japanese Paradise Gardens (also known as a Pure Land Garden) were introduced during the Heian Period by Buddhist monks and devotees of the Amida sect. The garden consists of a pond with lotus flowers, trees, islands, a bridge and a large Buddhist pavilion, and resembles a Buddhist paradise.

This garden represents the Buddha sitting on a raised level surface or island, contemplating in the middle of a lotus pond. These gardens are peaceful and relaxing, taking guests back in time to the Heian era (794-1185).

Kaiyushiki-teien (Stroll Garden)  – A beautiful garden designed in the Edo period (1603 – 1867) for a leisurely stroll along its winding circular path, which is walked clockwise. This garden typically contains a pond, islands, trees, artificial hills and rocks, as well as features from other styles of gardens. Beautiful views can be admired from different viewpoints when visiting a Stroll Garden.

What’s evident is that Japanese gardens are designed to capture natural beauty through simplicity, and to represent the serenity of Japanese natural landscapes. Each garden is a place for peacefulness and meditation that one often seeks to recreate.

2. How to make Japanese garden at home

Japanese gardens are known for their beauty, their lines, their peaceful serenity, and the ability to provide moments of pure zen. Creating a Japanese garden begins by bringing together the old and often overlooked with the beauty of the sought.

 Plants and worn materials are often used in the design, to give an ancient and faraway, but natural landscape design. Here are some ideas for creating a Japanese garden in your home.

If you are Interested in installing a Japanese garden, and don’t know the first thing to do? Check out these inspiring Japanese garden ideas that you can easily create in your own home.

Many of these ideas feature traditional Japanese garden aspects like Koi ponds full of fish, exotic bridges to trap evil spirits, and mysterious paths that beckon you to walk a little deeper into the garden. Before we begin exploring specific ideas, let’s take a look at some tips to help you begin creating your Japanese garden.

There are main types of Japanese gardens that you may want to recreate or take inspiration from, which we will detail below.

One of the nice things about Japanese gardens is that they can be huge and sprawling or they can be quite simple and quaint, like a sitting area in the corner of your yard. It is all about being able to create a place where you can be, where you can meditate, and where you can find your zen.

Simple Steps for Creating A Japanese Garden in your home –

Learn the principles of Japanese garden design before designing your garden. Some design concepts include using three components – large, medium and small – for a dynamic sense of balance. Tall elements represent heaven, medium-sized elements represent humanity and small elements represent earth.

Utilize Existing Landscaping Features

If you are changing a traditional garden into a Japanese theme, then it may take a bit of work. If you have a waterway nearby, it may simplify creating a pond or stream, but if the landscape is already mature with plants and trees, it could make the process a more difficult one.

Move rocks to the water’s edge, and use the existing greenery to create accents along the outer edge of the garden if possible. If a lot of plants are already present in the garden, then creating one that is half Japanese gardens may be more ideal than taking on the entire project at once.

Start with Simple Accents

If you do not know where to begin with your Japanese garden, you can start by removing plants that seem out of place. The idea of a Japanese garden is to create an area that’s natural and brings a sense of balance to your garden.

 These out of place plants can be replaced with a lantern, a subtle rockwork design, or a stone statue.

 If you have wood lying around that is not being used, build a bridge. You can also simply take existing shrubs and prune them in a Japanese style. In Japan, a garden is designed to last for centuries, so the pruning techniques used are extremely important to extend the life and the beauty of the Niwaki or garden trees.

Japanese garden landscaping

Japanese gardens were originally designed to draw attention to the beauty of a natural landscape, so there is not much landscaping that needs to be done. These types of gardens call for straight lines that you can create with rocks and flowers, so make sure to plant these in a minimalistic fashion.

You can also plant trees, such as conifers and cherry, to create natural shade for you when you choose to sit and relax in your garden, removing the need for artificial coverings. Bonsai trees are also very common, as they symbolize the bond between humans, nature, and the soul.

You can also go for-

Rock garden: This type of garden is supposed to display an image of mountains and rivers. However, it does not require any water. Instead, you use raked sand to portray the water. This makes rock gardens ideal for small backyards.

Moss garden: Moss gardens are more colorful and incorporate more greenery into them. Moss is easy to maintain and doesn’t require much effort from the gardener, so it is ideal to place it into your garden, even if you want a maintenance-free garden. Moss is considered comforting to the mind and soul.

3. What gravel to use ?

The type of gravel you use will depend on your specific preferences and the ways you in which you want to use the garden.

The best gravel for a Japanese gardens is Shirakawa-suna. This is made up of granite, quartz, black mica, and white feldspar. Another option is pea gravel which is tiny and smooth.

With these Japanese gardens, they’re a very personal creation. The gardener that designs the garden should allow their inner creativity to take the reins. While there are some common tropes and themes, you should feel encouraged to experiment.

The most common type of gravel used is known as Shirakawa-suna, known for it’s rather muted color palette. This type of granite is a mix of white, black, and grey which matches the aesthetic for most zen gardens.

The most common type of Gravel used by many Japanese rock garden creators is crushed fine gravel. It provides great ease when it comes to using a rake to create patterns mimicking some of the movements of nature (such as water, for example).

Two main sizes of gravel commonly appear in Japanese gardens. Pea gravel, which is tiny and smooth, often signifies water in Zen gardens that don’t include the wet element. Raking the pea gravel allows you to create waves and patterns that resemble water, and many people enjoy the act of raking and consider it relaxing.

if you think you’d like to walk in this area of the garden with bare feet. You could even find that this will give the bottom of your feet a bit of a soothing massage.If you’d like to walk on this part of the garden with bare feet, Pea gravel will really be out of the question.

Because of its small size, another common type of gravel used in the U.S is turkey grit. You are more likely to find this at a farm feed store, but it is perfect for your garden design. Turkey grit is used by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for its own zen garden.

Designed perfectly for a place within a Japanese garden is Zen gravel. This is a beautiful kind of gravel to look at, it’s a silver and grey mix with salt and pepper flecks. The silver and grey design is perfect for imitating water when the garden is being viewed.

Larger, pebble-sized gravel, usually rounded and smooth, can also be used to represent water in larger gardens, although it’s most typically used as a background for larger elements such as stepping stones or statues. It might also line the base of a fountain or pool of water.

A crushed oyster shell is an unusual but practical choice for your Japanese garden. This is a very cheap alternative but given that the shell is crushed so finely it becomes a superb alternative for gravel.

4. garden with bamboo

Japanese Garden Bamboo conjures up thoughts of peaceful and relaxing atmospheres in the beautifully designed gardens of Japan.

Whether your garden is large or small there are many products made from bamboos that enhance your graden design.

Many of the features of such gardens include plants such as bamboos and with such a huge variety to choose from. Bamboos can fit in with the designs from the largest to the smallest of gardens. They can provide anything from colour to specimen, architectural, and ornamental plantings.

Before you decide which bamboo to plant in your garden, you’ll need to consider how much space you have and what you are trying to achieve. Do you want something compact and decorative? Or are you looking for something that will spread quickly and provide a lot of privacy?

Based on your needs, you can select a runner or a clumping variety, something short or something tall. And then plant it in the appropriate spot in your garden. Or, better yet, choose a few different varieties of bamboo, and create beautiful space that brings many pleasing characteristics together.

Bamboo is an obvious choice when you’re planting a Japanese garden. But selecting the best bamboo species may be more difficult. A purist will want to look for bamboo of Japanese origin, and the genus Sasa is one of the only bamboos exclusively native to the Land of the Rising Sun.

 Other Japanese varieties belong to Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa and Semiarundinaria. You can also find several species whose common names are suggestive of Japan. More importantly, however, when you choose a bamboo, you must consider its size, growth habit and preferred climate.

Genus Sasa

According to current classifications, this the only genus of bamboo exclusively native to Japan. Therefore, if you’re planting a Japanese garden, and you’re looking for some bamboo in line with your theme, some Sasa would be an excellent place to start.

Bamboo in the genus Sasa, also called broad-leaf bamboo, are small plants with running rhizomes. Their compact size makes them a good choice as accents or in confined spaces. Be aware, however, that the roots of this running bamboo can spread quickly if not properly contained.

Like most dwarf bamboos, Sasas are native to the forest understory, and so they prefer locations with partial sunlight or mostly shade. They are also relatively cold hardy.

Sasa palmata: Commonly known as broad-leaf bamboo, this is one of the taller species of Sasa. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches wide, and slender culms, no more than a half inch thick, can grow 5 to 10 feet tall. Hardy down to around 5º F.

Sasa tsuboiana: This is a particularly robust ground cover that can get 5 or 6 feet tall, with luscious, deep green foliage. It makes a beautiful addition to the garden, providing a striking contrast alongside taller bamboos with buttery yellow culms.

Sasa veitchii: Also called Kuma-zasa, this is an especially popular variety of bamboo shrub. Its broad leaves are deep green, but in cold winters the leaf edges turn pale and take on a striking variegated appearance. They only get about 5 feet tall, but with thick, vibrant foliage. Hardy to 5º F.

Japanese timber bamboo:If you’re looking for a more stately bamboo to make a bolder impression in your garden, Phyllostachys bambusoides is a beautiful option. They are native to China and Japan. Also called Madake or Japanese timber, this splendid species thrives in a range of climates, and it’s one of the largest and most impressive varieties of temperate (as opposed to tropical) bamboo.

The towering culms can get 40 to 60 feet tall, depending on the growing conditions, and 4 to 5 inches thick. The regal canes are long and straight, with a dark green hue that gradually yellows with age.

Thick culm walls make it very useful for building and construction as well. Remember, all Phyllostachys are runners, so it will need a root barrier of some kind. Hardy to at least 0º F.

Genus Pseudosasa:This genus of bamboo closely resembles Sasa, with broad, deep green foliage, but somewhat larger in overall size. Like Sasas, Pseudosasas are all runners, and they typically have just once branch at each node.

If you’ve got a Japanese garden, you can’t go wrong with Pseudosasa japonica, native to Japan and Korea. Arrow bamboo, as it’s more commonly known, is a medium-sized bamboo, with tall, slender culms, very graceful and upright. In former times, Samurai warriors would harvest the mature poles to use as arrows and spears.

The culms tend to grow thick and close together, reaching 10 to 20 feet high, and roughly an inch in diameter. They are quite adaptable to a variety of conditions, both sun and shade, and also do quite well in containers. Though it’s a vigorous grower, Arrow bamboo doesn’t spread as aggressively in cooler climates. Cold hardy to about 0º F.

5. Japanese garden fountain

A prominent feature in Japanese Gardens is a water fountain, mostly made of stone or wood.

Fountains made of stone are traditionally crafted to look like rocks placed on top of one another with water cascading down from every angle (this one is absolutely gorgeous!). However, more modern fountains can be designed in any shape, whether it be simplistic or intricate looking.

Wooden fountains are traditionally made of bamboo and feature a cylinder angling down with water pouring out of the bottom. These fountains are very simple but calming to look at, making them excellent for your Japanese garden.

 Another example of a bamboo spout that spills into a stone basin, this fountain harmonizes well with nature. Instead of having a refined basin, the stone has jagged edges and appears to have been naturally worn by the water. Creating harmony and balance with the natural world is very important in Japanese landscape design

Japanese fountains are always very simple in design – the focus is more on the water than on the vessel. This fountain consists of a shallow stone basin nestled amongst rocks and boulders with a small metal pipe for a spout. Ferns and other evergreen plants grow near the water feature.

If you have the space, a bigger water feature is an option. A stream, pond or waterfall is a common feature in Asian gardens. Remember, Japanese garden design is all about mimicking nature, so create meandering natural shapes for streams or ponds. Adding koi or goldfish to a pond is an option. Koi ponds feature aquatic plants and ornamental fish.

 This tall stone and bamboo fountain sits in a bed of gravel and is surrounding by rocks and living bamboo, creating a mixture of shade and light that adds to the intrigue of the fountain. As years go by, moss will grow on the fountain causing it to become an integral part of the landscape.

6.japanese garden fence

Japanese Fence Panel

The simplest way to build a Japanese fence for your backyard garden is to buy the already built fence panel. You can actually buy it of conform from your home through Amazon.

• organic – free flowing curves, any length or shape you want
• japanese fencing – distinctive, elegant style, and sophistication
• zincane – contemporary clean lines combined with natural materials
• painted bamboo – radically changes what bamboo can be
• half split fence – nice chunky look, large diameter canes
• bamboo and perspex – a light and airy solution
• pallisade fence – the bamboo fence to keep king kong back

Japanese design concepts focus on harmony or zen. The concept gives lot of feng shui benefit. That is why this type of design concept has been adopted by many western landscaper and gardener. Likewise, Japanese fences are indispensable element of Japanese décor, especially in the Japanese garden design.

7.japanese garden flowers

Flowers, when they do feature in Japanese gardens, are often transient and all the more beautiful for it, with bursts of bold colours set against the backdrop of verdant greens. Don’t overdo it though, just one or two flowering shrubs will do the job.

It may be a cherry tree in blossom or an azalea, camellia or rhododendron (go for compact Rhododendron yakushimanum for smaller gardens) in bloom.

Rhododendrons

Clipped into neat mounds or domes, azaleas and rhododendrons are bedecked in dazzling flowers come spring. They need neutral to acidic soil to thrive, however, so grow in pots of peat-free ericaceous compost if you have alkaline soil. Color varieties Red, pink, yellow, and white depending on the variety

Peonies

Showy, ornamental flowers like peonies and chrysanthemums are great for bringing splashes of colour to Japanese gardens. Pink varieties of Paeonia suffruticosa (pictured) and Paeonia lactiflora are particularly popular. Color varieties  deep purple, mahogany and bright yellow.

Wisteria

Japanese wisteria, Wisteria floribunda, works well in many settings, but in Japanese gardens it’s often grown over large arbours and arches. Walking beneath these structures is the perfect way to enjoy the scent of the pendulous flowers. Prune twice a year, in summer and winter, to get the best flower displays. Color varieties  Bluish-purple, lavender, or mauve

Cherries

This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of ornamental cherry trees, or sakura. Japan is renowned for its spectacular cherry blossom festivals in March and April. Lots of cherry species can be used for sakura, including Prunus x yedoensis, Prunus serrulata and Prunus padus. Color varieties -Yellow.

Camellia japonica

Planting a Camellia japonica in the garden can be the beginning of a life-long love story, as these slow growers can live for hundreds of years. Color varieties  White, pink, or red depending on the variety

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a popular ornamental plant in Japan, especially the macrophylla types that color shift between pink and blue depending on soil acidity. Color varieties  Blue, pink, and white depending on soil.

Lotus (N. Nucifera, N. Lutea, and Hybrids)

If you are lucky enough to have space and resources to create a water garden, the lotus is a must-have plant for Japanese gardens. Color varieties  Blue, purple, white, pink, red depending on the variety

8.japanese garden knife

Sometimes the simplest tools are the best.The Japanese named it “Hori” because “Hori” means “to dig” in Japanese. Some call it the mountain vegetable knife, which hearkens back to its early uses as a way to cultivate and care for veggies grown in their steep geography.

If you want a quick look at the best Japanese garden knives, here they are (in order). Read below for more information on each.

Truly Garden Hori-Hori Knife

If you want a knife with a lot of extras, go with the Truly Garden hori hori.The Truly Garden Hori Hori knife has a full tang handle (blade is solid, all the way through the handle), which most competitors don’t offer because it costs more to make. The knife also includes a 5 year warranty.

This is a fantastic choice if you want an all-in-one knife that will last a while and has everything you need to care for it properly as you use it.

• Save time digging and weeding
• Sharp but safe
• Heavy duty sheath
• Easy to sharpen
• Quality that lasts

Nisaku Japanese Hori-Hori Knife – Nisaku knife is the ‘standard’ hori hori knife design. Instead of three rivets on the handle, it only has two, which means that it’s more prone to pulling apart after months of use.  It does come with a sheath and loop, but the sheath is made of vinyl. It’s lightweight and a bit shorter than average.

If you’re looking for a simple hori-hori knife that won’t break the bank, the Nisaku could be a good choice. The knife blade extends through the entire handle, meaning it is a “full tang” knife. In fact, every knife but the Nisaku is full tang.

Sensei Hori-Hori Knife

The Sensei knife is a cross between a hand trowel and a knife, based on a traditional Japanese design, it is the best multipurpose tool for digging, planting, weeding, and dividing. Ideal for lawn and garden, landscaping, metal detecting and rock hounding.

 The Sensei Japanese garden knife is one of the few that has a polymer handle. This means it will last a lot longer and withstand the elements well. The handle is contoured, with a textured non-slip finish so that you have a firm grip, making it much easier and safer to use than wood handle garden knives.

It’s slightly shorter than most other knives, at 12″ instead of the standard 13″. Like most knives, it also comes with a sheath, although it’s not leather. If you want a more modern take on the hori-hori knife, this one made by Sensei is a great choice.

Black Iron Hori-Hori Knife

Take your gardening skills to the next level with Black Iron’s Hori-Hori Garden Knife. It features a beveled edge for slicing and a serrated edge for cutting through tough roots, and a sturdy ergonomic handle for better grip and ease of use.

The Black Iron hori hori is a solid choice for almost every gardener. It’s built with the classic wood handle and the blade is not offset. At 13.4″ long, it’s one of the longer ones out there which makes it great if you need extra leverage when transplanting or digging out some stubborn roots or debris.

Comes with a high-quality leather sheath, but no belt clip, so you will need to pick one of those up if you want this knife at your side in the garden. However, you can use the small button fastener if you need to attach it in a pinch.

In Your Home What Can Japanese Gardening Knifes Do?

Almost everything. But let’s get into some of the special qualities that these hori hori knives possess that make them such a favorite in the garden:

• Removing Stubborn Roots
• Transplanting
• Chop and Slice Weeds
• Harvesting
• Make Row Markings
• Seeding and Planting

What do you want to see in your Japanese gardening knife?

• handle
• Length
• The blade
• Apart from

Some knives are sold with leather sheaths, belt clips, wetstones or other goodies. With all the other properties being the same, I like to buy a hoary hoary with a high quality leather sheath and belt clip, so I’m ready to get out in the garden immediately.

9.japanese garden lanterns

Lanterns are the most common light source to place in your backyard Japanese garden if you want to keep as close to traditional gardens as possible. You can get lanterns made of all sorts of materials, such as concrete, stone, wood, and metal.

Lanterns can be placed anywhere in your garden, but you should remember to place them where you need the light the most. Depending on the material of your chosen lantern, bear in mind that they have the potential to heat up. This may affect plants and cause them to prematurely wilt, so it’s best to place your lanterns away from sensitive shrubs and flowers to avoid disappointment.

10.japanese garden ornaments

You can also place smaller ornaments in your small backyard Japanese gardens, such as statues, bonsai trees in decorative pots, and stones.

Stepping stones are very popular for Japanese gardens, and they’re also very inexpensive and easy to obtain. Stone statues are also popular and can be shaped into a number of things. Some popular choices are religious figures, minimalistic art pieces, and animals. 

11. plants to be used-

Japanese Maple Trees come in many varieties and sizes. They can also give off quite the seasonal color show.

Moss is a common site in most Japanese gardens. It comes in many different varieties and colors. You can also find moss-covered stones at some garden centers.

Hostas are a hardy plant that hosts many shades of green and will return year after year.

Azaleas are a burst of bright color in the lush green of your zen garden. They are easy to find, easy to care for and come in many, many different colors.

Lotus is an amazing plant to add to your Japanese garden if you are lucky enough to have a water source!

Quince:Quince (Cydonia oblonga) makes a beautiful additions to Japanese-style planting schemes. In spring it produces cup-shaped flowers, followed by golden fruits in autumn. Quince can also be trained as a deciduous bonsai tree.

Hakonechloa:Japanese forest grass, Hakonechloa macra, is a gorgeous shade-loving grass that will gently rustle as it catches a breeze. Plant it in swathes or bold clumps to soften the hard edges of paths and steps.

Araiostegia parvipinnata:This beautiful fern and other species in the genus are known as hare’s foot ferns, which spread by creeping rhizomes. Intersperse with ground cover moss or hakonechloa. Araiostegia parvipinnata needs a moist, shady spot.

Japanese maples:These come in a huge variety of leaf colours and shapes, all of them gorgeous in autumn. Underplant with clipped, rounded shrubs or hakonechloa.

Black pines:Black or Japanese pines, Pinus thunbergii, are a useful source of evergreen colour. They’re often ‘cloud pruned’ – a technique that involves shaping the crown into soft, cloud-like forms. As old needles are dropped they help to acidify the soil below – particularly beneficial to azaleas and rhododendrons planted directly beneath.

Styrax:Styrax species like Styrax japonicus (pictured) and Styrax obassia are Japanese natives with white, bell-shaped flowers appearing in the summer months. They look beautiful planted next to water or paths.

Hosta:A shady glen full of hostas is well-suited to the Japanese garden aesthetic. When you take into account size, leaf color and shape, and flower appearance, you can have a very diverse shade garden comprised entirely of hostas. The key to success in growing hostas that increase in size every year is irrigation. Water is like fertilizer to a hosta.

Editors Quick Tips

10 elements required for a really peaceful  Japanese garden-

MAKE AN ENTRANCE – Japanese gardens are all about creating an element of mystery by not allowing the whole garden to be seen at once.

USE WATER – Water is a central element of many Japanese gardens (and it definitely helps with the zen feeling!).  Fountains made of wood leading into a koi pond with lily pads are one way of adding this element.

OR CREATE THE ILLUSION OF WATER – In places where water is not practical (or just not wanted), dry river beds can be made out of sand (or crushed white granite).  The sand is often raked to make it look like waves.

ADD AN ISLAND – Landscaped islands in the middle of the pond (or sand as the case may be) are another common design element of Japanese gardens. According to the Japanese Garden site, islands figure prominently in Japanese myths, so many people believe they were included in ancient Japanese gardens because of their symbolic meaning.

BUILD A BRIDGE – With all of that water, it makes sense that bridges are also a featured element in Japanese gardens.  They are usually made of natural materials like this curved stone bridge crossing a dry river.

ADD A JAPANESE TEA HOUSE – The Japanese tea house adds some architecture to the garden, and gives some shelter from the elements.  It doesn’t have to be a large space, but should have a beautiful view of the garden.

INSTALL PATHS – Winding garden paths help to draw you into the garden, and lead you to the next “room”.  Using large stepping stones in a sand or gravel path is a common way of creating walk ways.

PLANT EVERGREENS – Japanese gardens make use of clipped pine trees to add structure and year-round interest.

ADD INTEREST WITH PLANTS – Japanese Maples are a commonly used plant in Japanese gardens.

They have an interesting shape and delicate leaves that look beautiful in the garden.

INSTALL A STONE LANTERN – traditional Japanese stone lanterns can add light to your garden, or just look beautiful.Just like regular landscape lighting, the stone lanterns are often placed in strategic locations like close to the tea house or in dimly-lit areas of a path.

Once your Japanese garden is complete, you’ll be pleased that you made all the effort. You’ll have a space to escape from the hectic everyday world in this spiritual retreat.

 Perhaps you’ll enjoy sipping a cup of tea while you contemplate the meaning and significance of the world and the next steps you should take to create the life you desire.