Walking through a Japanese garden is a bit like diving into the heart of a painting and traveling, less physically than spiritually.
Whether in a large outdoor space or in a corner of your office in the form of a miniature Zen garden, we give you here some ideas for
developing your Japanese garden
.
How to create a Japanese garden outside?
The creation of an outdoor Japanese garden is thought of as a living scene, where each element is carefully chosen and placed to evoke a harmonious landscape full of symbols.
The first step is to
carefully study the available space
, large or small, the Japanese garden can be created anywhere!
Observe the orientation, the relief, the environmental context, take into consideration your constraints and your needs then start to sketch out your Zen garden.
Also read: The 10 best trees to have for fans of Japanese culture
The essential elements of the Japanese garden
Water: symbol of life and purification, is a central element of the Japanese garden.
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Impossible to create a Japanese garden worthy of the name without integrating at least a few of the emblematic elements:
Water:
symbol of life and purification, is a central element of the Zen garden.
Fish ponds, fountains, waterfalls or streams bring charm, freshness and soothing sounds while contributing to biodiversity;
Stones and rocks:
evoking the forces of nature, are chosen for their shape and texture, with a size adapted to the space.
They are placed to represent islands or mountains, bringing relief and depth to the garden;
The paths:
guide the visitor through the garden.
They invite discovery by serving needs.
Japanese footsteps, carefully placed on a winding path in sand or fine gravel, will be perfect for a Zen garden;
The bridge:
is a strong emblem evoking the journey of life or the path to awakening.
Flat or arched, it can be a central element around which to articulate the entire Japanese garden;
Artificial decorative elements:
such as lanterns, pagodas and statues can enhance the garden, creating a balance with natural compositions.
Which plants for a Japanese garden?
In a Japanese garden, plants are carefully selected for their aesthetics and symbolism.
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The plants are also carefully selected for their aesthetics and symbolism.
Here is a small selection of plants to choose for a Japanese garden.
The Japanese maple with its delicately carved leaves and spectacular autumn colors is a symbol of change;
Pine, which represents longevity and strength, is often pruned with cloud shapes, characteristic of the Japanese garden.
Bamboos,
a symbol of flexibility and resilience, offer their greenery all year round.
They can also serve as a privacy screen and protect from the wind;
Japanese azaleas
(Azalea japonica) and Japanese camellias are popular flowers in the Japanese garden.
Their colorful blooms bring brightness and variety to this plant scene;
The fresh moss,
a real green carpet on the ground, symbolize tranquility and simplicity.
A good way to fill hard-to-reach spaces;
Ferns
and hostas provide texture while occupying shaded areas of the garden;
Wisteria
adds color at different heights with its stunning hanging flower clusters
.
It also diffuses a delicate sweet scent very appreciated by pollinating insects;
Water irises
and
water
lilies
will enhance the water feature if it is of sufficient size;
The Japanese
Sakura
cherry tree obviously!
Known for its spectacular flowering in spring, it symbolizes the fleeting beauty of life.
The Japanese Andromeda, a shrub with spring flowering, white or pink, accompanied by young reddish shoots.
Black dragon's beard
,
with its very dark foliage, provides a striking contrast to light gravels and stones.
How to create a miniature Zen garden?
Do you want to extend the Zen garden experience at home or in the office?
All you have to do is create a miniature Japanese garden!
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No use without permission.
Don't have any outdoor space?
Do you want to extend the Zen garden experience at home or in the office?
All you have to do is create a miniature Japanese garden!
You will see it's quite simple, you can expose all your creativity to it and it has no equal for relaxing.
The first step is to choose a container.
A shallow tray, a wooden box, or even a picture frame can serve as a base.
Fill the container with
fine sand
or light gravel.
This is the base of your miniature garden which represents water.
Then select a few stones of various sizes and shapes to represent the islands or mountains.
Arrange them in the sand in an aesthetic and balanced way.
Add small succulents
or moss to add a touch of greenery.
Complete your garden with decorative elements.
A small lantern, a miniature bridge, a statuette… put a little of your personality into it!
Finally, the step we all love…
draw in the sand!
Use a mini rake to create undulating patterns.
Particularly around stones to evoke the water that surrounds them.
Japanese garden maintenance
If the Japanese garden is unique and magnificent, it also requires a little rigor in order to maintain all its splendor.
Far from being a chore, maintaining a Japanese garden is seen differently.
It's like preserving a work of art which is also a space of well-being, it is a moment of calm, reflection and reconnection with the natural elements.
Regular pruning of trees and shrubs
is essential to maintain their aesthetic shape.
Likewise, water points will need to be cleaned periodically and walkways raked to maintain a neat appearance.
Without forgetting watering the plants, to keep your moss green and enjoy pretty flowers.
For miniature Zen gardens, maintenance is much simpler but just as meditative.
This involves
raking the sand
to erase the traces of time, watering the small plants, and replacing decorative elements that may have been moved.