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Thursday, May 24, 2012

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Trendlet Alert: Japanese Gardens


While a true Japanese garden involves adhering to a rigidly proscribed formula for one of several styles, you can easily achieve the overall effect with a mix of plantings, structures, and materials. The tone is minimal and the ingredients basic—greenery, stone, a water element if possible.

Japanese garden designs are symbolic microcosms of the larger world. For example, garden lanterns represent temples, rocks represent mountains (and are often positioned asymmetrically to resemble mountain ranges), and pebble installations (called dry river beds) are raked to simulate flowing water. Other popular components of Japanese gardens include wooden fencing, slate stones, granite benches, koi ponds, bridges, and models of teahouses, since traditional tea ceremonies often take place in Japanese garden settings.

Japanese Garden plantings, which actually play a secondary role to the stones, might include Japanese maples, cherry blossoms, dwarf pines, bamboo plants, and of course Bonsai trees.

While bonsai gardens became a fad in the early '90s, Zen gardens are having a moment now, perhaps because they're relatively easy to maintain, fun to customize and offer an element of calm in our frantic world.

Find the elements of home Japanese gardens on eBay. Even if you don't jump in until spring, you can do the research and shopping for your Japanese garden ideas now, grow seeds indoors, or start with bonsai trees inside and move them out. If the ground's not frozen and you're starting from scratch, you could also creat the Japanese Garden design and put the stones down now.

  • All About Creating Japanese Gardens

    All About Creating Japanese Gardens

    (buy it now price, $7.29)

    This book provides guidance on using ancient garden design techniques to create a tranquil, sanctuary-like space.

  • Bonsai Tree Copper Watering Can

    Bonsai Tree Copper Watering Can

    (buy it now price, $155.99)

    This copper watering can, imported from Japan, comes with two detachable ends, an extra-fine brass rose and a spout, so you can water at the roots and from above.

  • Japanese Garden Book

    Japanese Garden Book

    (buy it now price, $39.88)

    It’s a glossy coffee table book that also a how-to manual on producing the most traditional types of Japanese garden fence work of which published information is hard to find.

  • Japanese Style Cedar Garden Pergola

    Japanese Style Cedar Garden Pergola

    (buy it now price, $359.99)

    Pergolas are meant to resemble pagodas. In ancient times the Japanese built their pergolas with stone, though modern day ones are usually wood. This cedar example is handmade in the U.S.

  • Japanese Garden Water Basin

    Japanese Garden Water Basin

    (buy it now price, $7.98)

    Stone water basins were originally located outside temples and filled with pure water for Buddhist monks to use to cleanse their hands before entering.

  • Japanese Garden Kanjuji Granite Lantern

    Japanese Garden Kanjuji Granite Lantern

    (buy it now price, $1,600)

    Stone lanterns were introduced to Japanese gardens by tea masters to provide light to guide guests passing through the garden to the tea room.

  • Japanese Garden Lantern, Iron Tea Andon

    Japanese Garden Lantern, Iron Tea Andon

    (buy it now price, $1,795)

    This large lantern, in the form of a traditional thatched hut, dates from the mid-20th century. Styles like these are often used with lighted candles in courtyard or tea gardens, but can be interior decorations, too.

  • 18-Inch Live Koi Fish

    18-Inch Live Koi Fish

    (buy it now price, $299.99)

    There are many types and colors of koi, large goldfish that stock ponds in Japanese garden. Keeping them requires a filter and temperature system, as they are quite sensitive.

  • Two Japanese Red Maple & Three Green Maple Bonsai Seeds

    Two Japanese Red Maple & Three Green Maple Bonsai Seeds

    (current bid, $0.91)

    These seeds can be grown outside or in a conservatory. They are suitable for all climates and are relatively easy for beginners to cultivate.

  • Shimpaku Juniper For Bonsai

    Shimpaku Juniper For Bonsai

    (buy it now price, $3.99)

    Roots for one Shimpaku Juniper tree, which has very soft foliage compared to most other types. The cutting is about 4 to 6 inches tall beyond the roots.

  • Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens)

    Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens)

    (buy it now price, $375)

    This Japanese Garden Juniper stands upright on a granite slab. It is about 25 years old, and has been in training since 1999.

 

 

 

 

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