Japanese Gardens

Provided by: The Garden Moose

Anyone who has seen a Japanese garden knows the beauty and serenity this type of garden provides. Japanese Gardens include water, bridges, statues, and stone lanterns, all with the intriguing aspects of the Japanese culture. When you integrate touches of different cultures and history into your gardens you will be able to 'take a walk in another place' when ever you might feel like it! The Japanese gardens are a type of garden that focuses on nature entwined with dignity and grace. They are designed with an amazing artistic flair and once created, will provide you with the perfect place to relax.

The Japanese garden is all about visual enhancement and texture. You will find polished rock walls with moss neatly tufted into the crevices, creating a unique cascading effect. Hanging an ornate stone lantern will provide a sense of mystic and spirituality. Creating a Japanese garden is a task that you will find most pleasing for years to come.

Using a water garden kit purchased at your local home improvement store, you can quickly add sand, rock, and stone to pull it all together or if budget allows, you can hire a contractor to build a Japanese garden that is unique to your location. Either way, with the right decor and flowers, it will be beautiful. Various plants will add gorgeous color and interesting texture.

Named after a Zen Priest by the name of Kansho-niwa, the Karesansui style Japanese garden, meaning "dry-landscape", is a favorite style of Japanese garden. Originally, this was created as a huge garden where a person could enter and walk around. By the eleventh century, the scale of this garden style started to diminish and then by the twelfth century to current time, these gardens have been even more refined, thus the name Zen.

Two main elements of a Zen garden are rocks to form hills or "mountains" and sand to use with flowing water. Sand color should be white to light beige along with granite rocks. If the garden is in a sunny area, avoid light colored granite as it causes a glare. However, if in a darker area with a lot of shade, this light granite would be perfect. If you are not able to find granite, you can use grit fed to chickens.

The sculptured rocks for the water border should be handpicked for the best appearance. Another valuable aspect of the Japanese garden is the island, which is a symbol of the isles of the blest immortal souls as well as longevity and continuing health. Both the crane and tortoise are considered symbols of longevity and are favorites to use in designing Japanese gardens. Have fun building and creating this type of garden for your continued relaxation and enjoyment!

About the Author:

Garden Moose is the editor of GardenMoose.com, and a feature contributor to Greenhouses.com a leading internet destination for gardening and greenhouse information and ideas.