The Asian design style is characterized by a concept covered to the smallest details and a tasteful combination of the most diverse garden elements. The end result is a harmonious garden image where minimalism meets the traditional. We have already given you numerous ideas for a Zen or a Feng Shui garden, this time we take a closer look at the imaginative garden design in Japanese style. And since a Japanese garden needs to be well planned, we also provide you with several free planting plans and explain which plants are eligible. Bring an exotic flair to your outdoor area and create an artistic landscape with a great sense of aesthetics!
Japanese Garden Planting Plan For The Small Garden
An effective garden in a small format: this is how the Japanese design can be described. Anyone who has ever entered an Asian-style oasis has discovered a secluded outdoor area full of colors, shapes, and decorations. The garden is divided into several areas, which merge seamlessly into each other. The Japanese gardeners manage to combine the garden elements with each other in a tasteful way, even on small plots. Water features, garden ponds, rockeries, lawns, and voluminous flower beds have become hallmarks of Japanese garden art
A Japanese garden planting plan should therefore incorporate all elements. Our first suggestion is for all those who have a town villa with a small garden. We will show you an idea of how you can design a rectangular plot with dimensions of 10 meters x 15 meters. Directly connected to the house, at best connected to the living area by large sliding glass doors, there is a long and narrow terrace in a shape that mimics waves. A space-saving set of teak furniture offers enough seats for the whole family. A vertical minimalist garden fountain provides cooling on hot summer days and a Buddha statue serves as decoration. On the side, the seat is shielded from the eyes of the neighbors by several potted plants.
In the middle of the garden there is a lawn. The lawn edge is artfully decorated with river stones. High perennials and trees shield the garden from all sides. On one side there is also a small garden pond. A jetty simmering into the water offers space for a garden bench for two and an Asian-style wooden pergola. Stepping stones meander through the water and lead to the romantic seating area.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan For The Large Garden
If you have at least 600 square meters available, then a garden dream can come true. Here you have the opportunity to create an additional stone garden and to build a tea pavilion. The stone garden, laid with gravel, automatically draws all eyes to itself: there, the larger stones are skilfully arranged into groups. Traditionally, box trees are planted on the edge of the stone garden.
In a large garden, the element of water must not be missing under any circumstances. A garden pond with curved shorelines that start with a stream and meander through half the plot will undoubtedly be a highlight in the outdoor area. Several arched wooden bridges connect the two banks. In addition, a birdbath can attract birds and insects to the garden. Perennials, flowers, and ornamental grasses are skilfully combined so that the garden looks as natural as possible. On the other side of the property, a fan maple, along with a stone lantern and a Buddha statue, forms a charming ensemble.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan For an Oasis in The Backyard
Especially in densely populated neighborhoods, large plots of land are hard to be found. Also, the old buildings usually have a narrow front garden and a small backyard. In this case, you have no choice but to try to make the most of the situation. A Japanese garden is the best choice because it is compact and easy to care for.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan: These Trees and Perennials Are Common in Coastal Areas
The perennials, flowers, and trees clearly play the main role in every Japanese garden. We, therefore, give you several ideas on how to create an effective garden bed. The first ensemble consists of plants from the coastal areas of Japan. The following plants are marked on the planting plan above:
A. Fan maple
B. Japanese Mahonie
C. Japanese Aukube
D. Climbing spindle shrub
E. Indian Kalmus
F. Purple Bells “Coral Bells”
G. Lenzrose “Ruse Black”
H. Brocade fern
All these plants thrive best in semi-shady locations, love moderately moist, well-drained, and humus-rich soil and must be watered regularly in the summer months. The perennials have an expansive habit and reach a height of up to 2 meters. The fan maple with its wide umbrella-like crown can even be 7 meters high with good care. All plants, therefore, occupy a lot of space in the garden and are therefore better suited for larger gardens.
The perennial bed is colorful: yellow, red, pink, and purple form a charming ensemble and look very exotic. Perfect for corners in the garden or as additional visual protection in front of the garden fence.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan: Plot With North Orientation And Shade Garden
If the plot is oriented to the north, then the plants must be selected with great care. Many flowers and ground cover for shady locations can tolerate wetness poorly, so it is worth creating a drainage layer first. For a Japanese garden with a north-facing orientation, the following plants are possible:
A. Fan maple
B. Red veil fern
C. Japanese ysander, also known as thick males
D. Taglilie
E. Edellieschen
F. Japanese rosemary pasture of the variety “Oliver”
A slightly acidic, fresh soil proves to be optimal for all the above plants. A location in the shade or semi-shade promotes the rapid growth of the plants. The majority of groundcover covers are evergreen. You can look forward to a green garden even in the winter months. They are hardy and therefore do not need any special care in the cold season. As far as watering is concerned, it depends heavily on the weather conditions. Normally, most plants can easily survive a dry season. However, they are sensitive to waterlogging. A moist soil could lead to rotting and makes the ground cover particularly vulnerable to fungi and pests. So preferring too little than pouring too much. From the beginning of May to the end of July, you can administer liquid green plant fertilizer once or twice a month. In the winter months, the perennials are cast less frequently and no longer fertilized. There is also no need for a cutback. Since the Japanese are known worldwide for their cutting art, you can get some plants into shape on request.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan: Sunny Plot with South Orientation
Sunny gardens facing south offer the best conditions for a flower splendor. The beautiful daylily and the colorful noble lye give the perennial bed additional splashes of color. But also the filigree leaves of the buntnessel are real eye-catchers. We give you an overview of the planting plan:
A. Fan maple
B. Japanese Mahonie
C. Taglilie
D. Edellieschen
E. Buntnessel
F. Velvet-Hortensie
G. Boxwood “Golden Dream”
All plants in this perennial bed can tolerate sun without any problems, but also thrive well in semi-shade. For this ensemble, the loose, moderately moist and well-drained floor with sand content proves to be optimal. Dry periods are difficult to tolerate. Especially in the summer months and during the flowering period, you need water regularly. The noble lye must even be irrigated once or twice a day between June and August, so that it can form many beautiful flowers. Fertilization, on the other hand, fails completely in summer. It is enough if you supply the plants with long-term fertilizer in spring. The plants are winter-proof with the exception of the one-year-old noble-lies and can stay on the balcony or in the garden even in the cold months.
The boxwood, which surrounds the plants and gives structure to the bed, loves semi-shady locations and cannot thrive in the strong sun rays. It has similar requirements for the soil, but must be fertilized regularly. The Japanese miss him a form cut several times in spring and summer.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan: Perennials and Succulents for the Stone Garden
The Japanese stone garden is considered to be extremely easy to care for. But if you think that only stones, gravel and sand are possible in the design, then you are wrong. Flowering and evergreen ground covers ensure that the rocky landscape looks as natural as possible. Here is a list of three plant species that can successfully loosen up the strict minimalist garden image of the stone garden.
A. Broad-leaved laurel rose
B. Japanese climbing fern
C. Japanese Azalee
The plants have different demands. They are therefore more suitable as soloists in the stone garden than for arrangements. The broad-leaved laurel rose, for example, loves sunny locations and a loose, well-drained and acidic soil.
Japanese Garden Planting Plan: Plants as an Accent on the Stream and Water Features
The stone plays a major role in garden design in the Asian style. The Japanese love to show stones in a group at a stream or a garden pond. The arrangement should be as natural as possible and fit harmoniously into the garden picture. Various evergreen and flowering perennials can be considered as planting:
A. Boxwood
B. Japanese holly
C. Hahnenfuss Family
D. Japanese magnificent pier, also called Astilbe
E. Taglilie
F. Purple Bells “Coral Bells”
G. Japanese Iris
Creativity is particularly important when it comes to bedroom design. Don’t forget that the Japanese attach great importance to a low-maintenance design. So you should always have access to all plants and the pond. It is also important that the arrangement works naturally. The rule of thumb applies here: Prefer to plant sparingly and leave sufficient free space between the different planting species. In this way, they will be able to grow undisturbed in height and width. Also, consider which flowers could lure birds and useful insects into the garden.
Asian Garden Planting Plan: Outdoor Meditation
If you want to create an outdoor oasis where you can escape the stressful everyday life, then our next suggestion is just right for you. All you need to do is visually separate a circular part of the garden from the rest of the outdoor area by a protective fence or hedge plants. Place a Buddha statue and a garden fountain in the middle of the garden. The splashing of the water is particularly calming and can insulate street noise and other noises.
Then build a garden bench out of recycled wood. There you can sit down and relax after the long day at work. Also, don’t forget to plant cosy evergreen perennials and trees at the edge of the garden. They perform two functions: on the one hand, they shield you from foreign eyes, on the other hand they give the meditation area additional charm. Avoid flowering shrubs and flowers in bold colours. You could draw your attention and are perceived as disturbing, especially in allotments.
Stones can also be put on display in the meditation garden, provided they do not stand in the way and do not interfere with the free movement.
A Japanese garden planting plan wants to be well thought out. On the one hand, it is very important that the garden elements create a harmonious overall picture. On the other hand, the plants in the perennial bed should come from Asia or Japan. It is also very important to group plants with similar soil and location requirements. Let our suggestions inspire you and create your own Oasis in Asian style.
