How to Design an Asian Garden

Asian landscape designs are peaceful

Asian gardens can be very complicated or very simple. Big or small, they all have a balance between basic elements and reflect a contrast between the peaceful areas and those with with activity. You can design an Asian feel to your garden on a small patio or over acreage. Here are some pointers that will help you create an Oriental effect.

Instructions

1. Asian landscape design takes into consideration all the elemental factors of wood, fire, earth, water and metal. Plan your garden to reflect something of all these. To study this in depth, you can research the principles of Feng Shui.

2. Keeping it simple here, you essentially want your garden area to flow. Larger areas tend to be broken into smaller designs with a piece of decor like a single plant or sculpture to accent the spot.

3. 

   THE ELEMENT OF WOOD: Plants, especially trees, are elements of wood. Keep to neat simple forms and make each plant or group of plants into a well-tended statement. A well planned garden will include paths leading from one area to the next. Excess is eschewed. Simplicity is encouraged.

4. 

   THE ELEMENT OF FIRE: Red is often used as a symbol of fire. Bridges, sculptures and decor are all used with intent in the design. A bridge that is painted red is considered a lucky feature and you can use one in your garden even if it is only a small decorative one. Other elements of fire can be more practical like designing in a fire pit.

5. 

   THE ELEMENT OF EARTH: Sand and stone gardens are great ways to fill spaces without the maintenance of growing things. Since the sand needs to be raked clean or in patterns, you might want to substitute gravel if you have pets or children to make the job easier.

6. 

   THE ELEMENT OF WATER: Adding a fountain or even a bird bath honors the element of water. You can have a pond or a riverbed, but all should be orderly and neat in design.

7. THE ELEMENT OF METAL: Consider hanging wind chimes or bells in your landscape to include the element of metal. They will add a delightful tinkling sound to calm the soul.

8. 

   There is a gentle, soothing feel to an Eastern garden design, yet it is all carefully controlled. That control is evident in every part of the garden where randomness and confusion is not allowed. Each and every area, no matter how small, is treated as a piece of art. Bonsai trees are the embodiment of this control and they echo the stunted trees on hillsides of Japan where weather dwarfs growth. A well placed bonsai will do a lot to create that well-tended Asian feel.

9. 

   A large Asian garden is not a low-maintenance project. But you can use the design parts that appeal to you. You can also take a small area like a patio and design it with an Eastern feel. You can screen it from the rest of the landscape with a bamboo screen or a neat wall of shrubs. Or simply apply the Asian design elements you like best to an eclectic design of your own.

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design Info & Ideas