It seems like everyone and their mum are going to Japan, even several people from our team have been lucky enough to go to Japan! For those who were fortunate enough to go and are reminiscing over the beautiful cherry blossoms, the intricate bonsais and lush maples, let us show you how you can recreate that same beauty in your own backyard.
And for those who weren’t able to go this season, but have been looking in envy at everyone’s stories, why not bring a slice of Japan to your own home and feel like you are there from your own garden.
We’ll define the Japanese Style Garden first. It is an ancient art form that has developed from sentiments within Japanese culture and philosophy. It is about creating a space of tranquillity where you can reflect on yourself and meditate. There is a careful balance of natural elements between water, rocks and plants. It’s truly such a beautiful style of garden.
Let us tell you how you can easily create a Japanese Style Garden.
The first step is to of course plan out your garden, you’ll need to take into account your location, garden size and shape, amount of sun, amongst many other things we’ll get into.
If this sounds like too much to contend with, book in a professional Free Garden Design with us and we can handle it all – we even offer Free Delivery on orders over $300!
But if you want to do it on your own, here’s how to plan out your garden.
Take a look at the size and shape of your garden. You may be physically limited by what you have, but you aren’t creatively.
We are going to go through a range of different types of gardens, so you can skip to your one, but we recommend reading through each part because you’ll glean tips and ideas from other types of gardens.
We are going to start with the most physically limited spaces – that of balconies and courtyards where pots are needed. Yes, you can still create a Japanese inspired garden in these spaces, and you’d be surprised just how many Japanese style plants can be grown in a pot.
From the quintessential Japanese Maple (upright & weeping) or Weeping Cherry to the flowering shrubs like Azaleas and Camellias, and then the supporting acts like Lime Lava and Nandinas.
The best plan of action with a space like this is less is better. We have an ethos of few pots but lots of plants – it creates a much more dynamic look and doesn’t clutter the space. What we mean by this is putting multiple plants in one pot.
You can have a tree with different groundcovers at its base, or even a variety of smaller plants in one big pot. Opt for classic colours like black or white to create neutral sophistication.
So you got some soil and dirt, yay! But you’re still working with quite a limited space. Okay, this is what you do.
Pare back on the variety of plants and focus in on a few select pieces to create tranquillity. The good thing about Japanese Maples is that many of them are on the small side like Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’, Acer palmatum ‘Red Pygmy’, Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’ and plenty of other choices.
You can also find Cherry Trees that are small like Prunus ‘Kojo No Mai’ Ornamental Cherry, Prunus ‘Falling Snow’ Weeping Cherry, Prunus ‘Rosea’ Pink Weeping Cherry or Prunus ‘Cheals’ Weeping Cherry.
Then you want to select a few supporting act plants that you can scatter throughout the garden for a cohesive look. The principle here is to choose around two plants, no more than three, and plant them in different parts.
So one corner can have the Japanese Maple with some Black Mondo Grass or Lime Lava planted around the base. Then in another corner you can have three Nandina bushes spaced apart with some Black Mondo in between them.
There’s so many different plant combinations you could go for, don’t hesitate to call us or come in store if you need some advice.
You have a decent amount of space you’re working with but don’t become overeager with the different plants you choose. Remember, simplicity is best.
A key thing to note here is that plants are usually arranged in odd numbers of 3, 5 or 7.
Consider all the different types of plants you can add in, such as:
Although you can have colour in Japanese Style Gardens, we wouldn’t go overboard. Keep things neutral with a focus on greens and whites and the occasional splash of colour.
Make sure to put in a wooden bench in so you can sit and admire your garden!
When planning a commercial property you are likely after something that is inexpensive and easy to maintain. Now we do think it’s worth it to splurge here and there on a beautiful feature such as a Japanese Maple (Upright or Weeping) or Weeping Cherry as they truly do raise the value of a place.
But you can find other plants for quite low prices, consider buying smaller sized plants and look around for bargains. You’re likely to find quite a few on sale in our nursery.
A huge amount of space can sometimes be just as tricky as planning a small garden, but we actually offer the same advice here. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you should plant 50 different types of Japanese style plants.
Try to create little pockets or privacy within your garden using screens, and place benches throughout the space so people can sit and ponder. Keep in mind you want to create a space that encourages reflectiveness.
Mass planting is your friend, pick a few key plants and spread them throughout your property. It will create a cohesive look and simplify your design greatly.
In these larger commercial properties it becomes even more important to add other elements like a water feature, statues, pagodas, boulders and so on.
If you’re still struggling, return to the basic principles of the Japanese Style. These include:
We mention location because some plants don’t work well in certain climates. For example if you are near the beach there are Japanese style plants such as Japanese Boxwood, Azaleas and Camellias that are sensitive to salt and won’t work well in your garden.
Or if you live in a particularly windy spot then you want to steer clear of Japanese Maples and Azaleas as you risk damaging the foliage/flowers. A good rule of thumb is to try and plant your Japanese Maples in more sheltered spots, although there are certain varieties that are hardier than others.
There’s more to a Japanese Garden than just the plants. One of the quintessential parts of the Japanese Style Garden is the water feature, whether this be a pond, stream or waterfall. Go the extra mile and even add in some brightly coloured fish!
Water features are expensive though so we understand if you aren’t able to incorporate one (though the Japanese may not).
What you can do instead is include some other natural elements like rocks, whether that’s larger boulders or small pebbles, sand, or gravel.
Add simple ornaments to tie the whole design in together such as lanterns, statues or a gazebo.
It’s important you don’t let your plants get unruly, now depending on what plants you choose, Japanese style gardens can range from low maintenance to high maintenance.
This can depend on facts like water requirement and frequency of trimming. You always want to make sure you are keeping your plants healthy and well-watered.
If you have a water feature, make sure to clean it regularly and check that the water circulation is correct.
Always keep the weeds at bay, nothing ruins the Zen style quicker than scraggly plants taking over your beautifully manicured garden.
Feeling inspired to create your own garden, but want some expert advice? Try our one-on-one garden design service with Chris. Together you’ll come up with a selection of plants along with a layout plan that gives you the look you want, as well as being suitable for your local soil and conditions.
There has never been more shade in Melbourne as there is now. Townhouses, units, and apartments are on the rise. Backyards are getting smaller. Sunlight is becoming more blocked. But everyone still wants a garden filled with plants. And you
We put together this list of the Top 10 plants that flower first in late winter (to give you that early spring feeling) because let’s face it: everyone loves spring. After the cold, dark gloom of winter, it’s always wonderful
Our tips for winter garden maintenance to prepare your garden for spring in Australia. Winter in the garden can seem like a miserable experience. Deciduous trees have lost all of their leaves, annuals have died down and a lot of
We Accept:
Copyright 2025
