Japanese gardens are becoming
more and more popular as landscaping features.
This is because Japanese gardens seem to have
an inherent feeling of peace and calm attached
to them. Additionally, if properly planned and
maintained, they do not need to be expensive,
nor do they need to be time consuming to take
care of. One of the biggest misconceptions that
many people have is that a Japanese garden is
supposed to have exotic flowers. This is not
true, as most Japanese gardens actually make
more use of structures and plants to give them
their distinctive look. It is a good idea to
understand the principles behind Japanese gardens
in order to have one that is truly authentic
and one that is not hard to take care of because
of high maintenance exotic flowers.
One of the first principles in planning a Japanese
garden is to take into account nature. Square
ponds are not natural, but round ones are. Also,
using shapes that occur in nature, such as rounded
edges, complements the feeling of nature and
peace. Also inherent in the principles of Japanese
gardens is the elements of space. Many people
feel that there are “empty” portions
of such gardens and the impulse is to fill them
in. Leaving some attractive empty space accents
the other portions of the landscape. Also understanding
the concept of size is important. Do not put
something large in a small space. It looks out
of place and is not in balance with its surroundings.
Try to create a garden space that complements
the rest of the landscape, and use elements
that complement each other.
Enclosures are also part of the basic design
of a Japanese garden. Fences and gates create
a feeling of seclusion, and also of retreat.
Entrance and exit are important, not only to
seal the garden away (often symbolically) from
the outside, but also because it indicates moving
in and moving out. Additionally, fences offer
a barrier from the world, where the garden can
be enjoyed fully without reference to the cares
that exist outside the garden.
There is no singular design in a Japanese garden,
and many people prefer to take elements and
aspects of the garden and incorporate them in
unique ways. Some elements of Japanese gardens
include rock, water, plantings, ornaments, and
borrowed scenery. Each of these has a specific
purpose.
Rock is the main foundation of the garden. After
properly laying out the stones, the rest of
the garden practically builds itself. Stone
elements include tall vertical stones, short
vertical stones, horizontal stones, arched stones,
and reclining stones. Stepping stones and rock
pathways are also used. Placement of the rock
is important, as the rocks have meanings. However,
if you are more about aesthetics, you can simply
place the rocks where you feel they best complement
the look and feel of the garden.
Water can be literal, as in a built water feature,
or simulated, as with raked gravel or sand.
You can even make symbolic water by fitting
river stones tightly together. The sound of
actual water is calming and soothing, and it
adds to the serenity of the garden. The Japanese
also view water as the symbol of the passage
of time.
Plantings are secondary to the role of stones
in a Japanese garden. However, they are important
and a main concern of the design. Placement
of the plantings, as with the stones, is important
to the harmony of the landscape design. You
need not use bamboo trees or maples for your
garden if you do not find them pleasing.
Ornamental grasses, evergreens, and a variety
of deciduous trees can be very attractive in
your garden, and still fulfill the basic principles
of the Japanese garden.
Ornaments are things that serve to enhance the
garden. They should not be main focuses. They
are simply accents and not to be treated as
main architectural elements in the garden. Some
ornaments include lanterns, basins, stupas,
and even some sculpture. Borrowed scenery consists
of element that can be seen from within the
garden, but that are not actually located inside
the confines of the garden. Different elements
can be placed to accent a distant mountain or
to reveal a beautiful tree on someone else’s
property.
About The Author
Janeth Duque of Geeks On Steroids. Janeth is
well-known in the world of web design and search
engine optimization.
Web Site: Geeks on Steroids
View their website at: http://www.geeksonsteroids.com
janeth@geeksonsteroids.com
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