How to Build a Japanese Garden

Use specific design elements to create a Japanese garden.

A Japanese garden highlights nature with aesthetic design. Traditional aspects, combined with modern tastes, make the garden adaptable to many landscapes. A Japanese garden can provide a place for walking, meditating and displaying prized plants. Create a sanctuary with the use of natural materials, plants, architecture and feature elements.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Plants
• Gravel
• River rock
• Stepping stones
• Basin
• Stone lantern
• Pergola
• Benches

Instructions

1. Select a location for the garden. Ideally, you want a mixture of sun and shade. Slopes and flat land both work well.

2. Draw a basic plot of the garden area. For example, 1 foot equates to 1 inch on your drawing. Note all existing features and the amount of sunlight each area receives. Decide where you want to place any hardscape and water features, as well as structures.

3. Choose plants for each location. Japanese gardens exhibit a variety of evergreens and some small trees. Cherry, plum, willow and small Japanese maples make appropriate choices. Whether to include flowers is a personal choice.

4. Install a small creek bed, pond or both. Water features provide the tranquility associated with Japanese gardens. Consider adding lotus and fish to the pond. Line the creek bed with river rocks of several sizes and small, native plants.

5. Make paths through the garden. Use pea gravel, river rock or stepping stones for the paths. For gravel or stone paths, first line the path with a layer of landscape fabric to prevent weeds. Paths should curve and meander through the garden. Cross one path over the creek or pond with a wooden or stone bridge.

6. Create focal points with stone basins and lanterns. The basins look like large, upright stones with the top slightly hollowed out and filled with water. Stone lanterns come in many sizes, and while not necessary, really add to the Japanese garden.

7. Use architecture features to complete the look. While a traditional teahouse may be out of your range, a small pergola covered in wisteria vines offers similar imagery. Make the pergolas or arbors of dark stained wood.

8. Add some well-placed stone or wood benches. Alcoves, under the pergola, next to the water feature and along paths make ideal locations for seating.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want fencing or screening around the garden, opt for bamboo. Bamboo is the traditional choice, while also being sustainable and long-lasting.

• Place outdoor bonsai on patios and pedestals.

References

• Bowdoin College: The Japanese Garden: Elements
• Columbia University: Garden Elements

Resources

• Stanford: Japanese Style Gardens