Making A Japanese Garden – A Japanese Courtyard Garden

Posted on by
Reply

www.i-love-delrey-beach.com Japanese Courtyard Garden

As promised here is the second part of hopefully some useful and inspiring news on Japanese courtyard gardens. They make great use of limited space and with a little planning they can be stunning in simplicity and pleasing on the eye.

A few days ago I wrote an introductory piece on this website about making a Japanese courtyard garden. If you scroll down on the pages left hand side you will find the article and lots of other Japanese garden related information and tips.

A courtyard garden in Japanese is called ‘Tsuboniwa’. You can include plants and ornaments but they are much more than just those two things. They are considered by many as a place to reflect and enrich the spirit and they often provide a ‘lightness’ to any home and a feeling of being enclosed but outdoors enjoying ventilation.

Making  A Japanese garden – Courtyard garden essentials…

Originally, Japanese courtyard gardens were small micro-gardens as part of a much larger building structure. They started off being really quite small just under 4 metres square in size that is around 11 feet squared and were often a common addition to many Japanese homes.

So what are the elements you can use when making a Japanese garden? If you wish to be accurate and traditional then a stone basin is a must, stone pathways, a lantern, maybe a small bridge and some garden stones. These are all strong elements and are often referred to by designers as ‘hardscape’.

Hardscape will help you set out and realise your design ideas. For example you could place a small bridge over an area of sand or gravel ( depicting water) or you could place a few larger stones withing your design that would mimic real landscapes like mountains.

Plants , shrubs and herbaceous trees will complete the finished design. As always, my advice is to sketch out your designs before starting the construction. A good rule of thumb is one inch squared equals one suare foot on your plan.

It is quite possible that your Japanese courtyard garden will have walls on each side and may be denied generous sunlight so you will have to pickj your trees, shrubs and plants accordingly. If it is a really shdy are then go for mosses – they will flourish and provide a blanket of different greens and the occasionally light brown to accentuate your hardscape features.

Your sunlight in the garden will dictate what plants and shrubs will flourish in an area of direct sunlight, shade or bright light (not direct sunlight).Its a small scale garden so try and stick with dwarf bonsai and a good dollop of groundcover plants that fit your environment. Always check the growing needs before buying to avoid dissapointment.

The chances are your Japanese courtyard garden will not be blessed with lots of natural water so pick plants that require little water. If you feel uncomfortable about including plants, shrubs and bonsai trees then you can always just design a space that is a traditional ‘Tsuboniwa’. By this I mean DRY – no water or plants etc. The earliest and more traditional courtyard gardens follow this ‘rule’.

They used rocks, sand , gravel etc to copy real landscapes scenes from a familiar local area. It is fun using your imagination – rake sand in swirls to signify water, a stone basin containing water can signify a lake or even an ocean! You can go small medium or large with your landscape copying, it will depend on the size of your available area.

A Japanese courtyard garden takes some organising and thought. Don’t just place ingredients willy nilly. Your plan should reflect an area of contemplation, tranquility and spiritual learning and reflection. Do not overcrowd it!

I heard a saying that is SO true ….” Plan your Japanese courtyard garden with a minimalist approach and the economy of a poet”

 

Making A Japanese Garden – Presentation And Designs

Posted on by
Reply

Thanks for visiting my website on making a Japanese garden – here are a couple of things that may interest you. A short ‘slideshow’ presentation that I put together on the essentails of making a Japanese garden.

 

Making a japanese garden – simple beauty for

View more PowerPoint from Russ Chard
And if you are looking for design inspiration , have a look at this website from a top Japanese garden designer , there is a short video and details of how you can get up and running converting your dream space into a peaceful, serene and visually stunning Japanese garden click on this link http://bit.ly/Japanesegdndesign.

Making A Japanese Garden – Courtyard Gardens

Posted on by
Reply

In Japan courtyard gardens were built with space at a premium and for somewhere to go and sit in peace to get away from searing summer heat. They are never big gardens and would be a perfect consideration for you if you are limited for space.

Quality design, ideas and materials are essential to give a courtyard garden the right look, feel and amience. Sometimes they can just be a place to de-stress and relax and some are built for well being purposes.

A ‘courtyard’ garden in Japanese is Tsuboniwa and essentially is an enclosed garden space and despite the lack of space they take up it gives you a really good opportunity to express yourself and your design ideas. Remember this is a garden project that is small and viewed close up which means it will need to be of a high quality.

Whether you want it for tranquility or as a wellness garden your design needs to be well thought through and there are a number of ingredients to think about. Stones and rocks in Japanese gardens as you may know play a very important role and so they do in a courtyard garden.

Making a Japanese garden is the dream of many people all over the world and this small enclosed variety can look stunning with a little effort. Here’s what you should look at using:

- Gravel

-Plants

Stones – perhaps the most important ingredient. It could be a basin (Chozubachi), hand washing utility ( Tsukubai), stone lantern (s) (Toro), stepping stones if part of a water feature (Tobishi), stone paving (nobedans).

A Japanese garden usese rocks and stones as a focal point for the viewer or visitor and its the same when making a Japanese courtyard garden.

Quality of design and ingredients should be your watchword. I have put a couple of photographs on this article to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

In my next article, I will be expanding on designing a Japanese courtyard garden and in particular on the plants to use and the look of the garden. Please keep coming back if you are interested in the subject of making a Japanese garden.Coutesy of japanesegardenfountaindesigns.info

 

Making A Japanese Garden – Zen Garden Update

Posted on by
Reply

Hi,

 

Thanks for visiting my website on all aspects of making a Japanese garden . I am in the process of building a small Zen garden in one of my gardens ( rear) and have been beset by one problem RAIN. In the part of the UK where I live we had a months rain in ONE day. Its been crazy and so the landscaping is on hold just for a few more days.

I will be posting pictures, instructions ( step by step) and even video to help you understand and follow exactly what I am doing and how I am going to turn it into a realistic and peaceful space with a creful eye on costs!

When making a Japanese garden whether more traditional or in a Zen style it does require some planning. Today I am writing more about a Japanese style Zen garden as it ties in with my ongoing project and if you are considering building a Japanese garden hopefully you will find the information really helpful.

Making a Japanese Garden – Zen Garden essentials:

Stunning to look at and a place of supreme peace and tranquility a Japanese style Zen garden makes a beautiful addition to any yard or garden OR to any space you have indoors or outdoord for that matter.

This time of year is the ideal time to get started unless like me you have considered building an Ark rather than a Zen garden due to the amount of precipitation! For your garden you will need to do edging, buy the materials , perhaps purchase a statue or basin – you will need either sand or gravel and Rocks ( but not many).

Japanese Zen gardens are taken very seriously by Japanese gardeners and their design has a number of very deliberate features. You can stick to the hard and fast features or tailor a Zen gardens look to your desires and preferences.

The use of shrubs and flora is kept to a minimum and most just consists or sand, rocks and boulders. Don’t misunderstand me, if you want to add flowers and a Buddha statue for example this is perfectly fine. Infact I have just purchased a sandstone Pagoda with tea light candles for my design.

Try and choose an area where there is a least one wall and make sure it is a secluded part of your space. Intimacy is achieved through defining the borders of the garden.

Ingrdients:

Rocks and Boulders- I have posted on this subject a number of times , you will find some really helpful information if you search this site and my other Japanese garden website at : http://www.japzen.wordpress.com . Try a combination of rough and smooth stones ( they are mimicing mountains and hills) plus pick a collection of stones that are different sizes. In my Zen garden I will have 4 stones , 3 in a cluster of varying sizes and one solitary smooth stone away from the main cluster.

Gravel or Sand : Very important when making a Japanese garden in a Zen style. You can use either but I have opted for fine silver sand. this ingredient represents ‘Water’ and its movement is signified by lines and circles.

Try and include a stone lantern /pagoda AND a statue ( most people feel comfortable with a Buddha ).

A small fountain or water basin is another very attractive option and will allow you to add water and dry water in one garden – the essence of a Japaneses garden.

I will scan my rough design and put it online so you can get a feel for the size and where the ingredients will go and look – watch out for it in the coming days. If only the rain would stop for a while…..

Have a good day!

Russ

 

Japanese Garden Plants

Posted on by
Reply

Hi,

Thanks for visiting. I am at present designing and building a small Japanese Zen garden in my rear garden. You may have heard about a drought in the United Kingdom – well this past week it has rained and rained in absolute buckets! This means that the first stages of landscaping are on hold until the ground dries out a little but rest assured that as soon as we get going again I will post on this site the developments with pictures and video.

If you are thinking of making a Japanese garden or upgrading one that you may have I thought it would be useful to write about Japanese garden plants. These are a really striking addition when you are making a Japanese garden.

Japanese gardener’s usually select plants that are more suitable for Japan’s climate and culture. Depending where you are located in the world will determine where you can plant certain plants and trees AND how successful you will be in growing them.

One of the most popular additions to a Japanese garden is Bamboo and even Bamboo grass. To the Japanese Bamboo signifies vitality and life as it grows a quite a pace. It is strong and hardy and generally in a Japanese garden FOUR types are used : Take,Dake, Chiku and Sasa and particularly in Japanese Tea gardens its presence is essential.

Bamboo will grow tall and wide but is quite stunning when it sways in a breeze, and, adds to the serenity and calming effect of a Japanese garden.

If you are keen on a pond you don’t have to keep KOI – Goldfish signify luck and the plants you would place around it are Lotus plants – Hasu variety are very popular. Moss, grass and ferns also have an important role to play in a Japanese garden. Moss looks great inbetween tiles and can easily be created by placing natural yoghurt over any area that you would like it to be.

In wetter climates you will not need to do this , infact if you are anything like me then you spend a lot of time trying to get rid of the stuff! Moss in Japanese is Koke and is often used on raised platform areas within a garden to contrast with the rocks and stones.

Bonsai plants in a Japanese garden are grown in small containers or pots. Trees are another very important ingredient in any Japanese garden and bonsai plants are a very welcome addition as well. Japanese black pine and Japanese white pine are very popular – the black variety being the most popular as it is hardy , looks green all the time and llive for a long while. This investment will be worthwhile if you choose the right long lasting variety.

Maples are often considered when making a Japanese garden and the bonsai Maple plant can be used very effectively when planted in rock garden.

Herbaeceous plants to consider: Peony ( with their beautiful flowers) , Daisy, Aster, Lily turf,White radish, white Chrysanthemum, Water parsley,Iris , Spider lily and Kuzu vine to name but a few! They all flower brilliantly in many colours and have green leaves providing contrast with stones and rocks. A balance to view, and, that is crucial in a Japanese garden as you know.

Our Online Japanese Garden Magazine – It’s Totally FREE Too!

Posted on by
Reply

Hi,

 

I hope your Easter is going well.

We have recently started an online – Japanese Garden magazine , everyday we trawl the internet for stories about Japanese and Zen gardens, design tips, books, videos etc and collate it into a very valuable ‘one stop’ place for Japanese garden enthusiasts.

Take a look and bookmark this web address for our magazine called Japanese Gardens  CLICK HERE to get immediate access

 

 

Zen Garden Project

Posted on by
Reply

Whether you are interested in making a traditional Japanese garden or a Japanese Zen garden I hope you will find my latest project helpful.

In my garden I have located a small space – my main garden is a woodland garden so because of the oils from trees like Firs it makes growing fairly difficult , other than the types of trees and foliage that you would expect in a wooded environment.

My small space is approximately ( but could change!!) approximately 1.5 metres wide and 4 metres long . It will sit at the front of a gentle slope where I will add a calming water feature and a stone basin. Within the context of my garden it is in the perfect spot – no tree interference , sunny and near a small calm patio area away from my main patio on the other side of the garden.

You will see from these images that I have marked out the area , placed some stones in position to see how I feel about their position before I start. The area is currently grass and this will be stripped and levelled. A non weed ( strong base mesh) will be layed over the whole area, edging which I have nearly decided upon will enclose the entire garden and some Bamboo grass will be in a small cluster.

I will not beusing gravel – I prefer sand and the type I will be using will be silver sand. Very fine but highly effective for raking the ‘water’ element. This garden will be simple and it really is not that difficult to do. I am going to put up on this website pictures with explanations as I embark on this project and perhaps some video.

I was going to record a video today but it is miserable and raining here in the UK . I want to bring some sun into your life!! Have a look at the pictures and you will get a feel of the space, how to start a garden project and some of the elements I will be using both visible and invisible.

5 Designs You Can Use Today For Making A Japanese Garden

Posted on by
Reply

Hi,

Thanks for visiitng my Japanese gardens website. There is an awful lot of information on this site about what Japanese gardens are , tips and information for designing and creating them for your special space at home or in the workplace. Great images and video so please make all the use of the information!

Alison Rosenbrock is one of the world’s top Japanese garden designers and she has put together the PERFECT tool to help you – 5 stunning Japanese garden designs. Watch her video message to you just Click Here!

This is a great solution to a common Japanese garden dilemma from Alison…this is what she says and it makes sense!
“There is no quick fix or luck involved in a professional looking Japanese garden. It’s all in the “know how” .

Why is it difficult? Other sources including magazines and the internet do contain valuable information, but not in an easy to use way. You have to sift through tons of material to get a design that suits you, your budget and your yard. No wonder landscaping seems so hard!

It is especially difficult to end up with complete and perfect Oriental and Japanese garden designs. A further complication is having the insider tips on installing a Japanese garden that doesn’t violate the intricate Oriental symbolism. The truth is, you are left with more headaches than answers.

The Faster & Easier Way To Landscaping!

Well, luckily for you, these problems are a thing of the past because I have designed and installed gardens in North America, Europe and Africa. This hard earned experience has helped me put together this amazing Japanese Garden package with a clear, detailed, step-by-step system that doesn’t leave anything to chance”

Making A Japanese Zen Garden – Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

A Japanese Zen garden is becoming increasingly popular as they blend in with any available space withing your garden or yard AND you can build them large, medium sized or small.

I am embarking on a small scale one at my home and will be sharing my design experience and many tips with you on this website. I will post photo’s and some video to show you how to make a Japanese Zen garden.

Zen garden’s are great at nourishing the spirit and helping you clear your mental clutter. This latter point is omething to bear in mind when embarking upon your design – do not over clutter or complicate your garden, it is far better to start simply and add to the garden rather than vice versa.

Zen gardens are theraputic to a level few people realised before. A recent study by Rutgers University suggests that Zen and Japanese gardens offers unique healing properties to vulnerable people whether suffering from stress all the way through to cancer sufferers.

People who visit these types of gardens experienced reduced stress and enhanced well-being according to the study. Some Zen gardens are specifically designed with cancer sufferers in mind – they have defined pathways to represent the journey a person takes in their battle with the disease and the rocks and boulders show the obstacles that need to be overcome in what is sometimes desperate fight.

In a Zen garden the raking of sand/or gravel has a calming effect and making swirling patterns to symbolise water adds to the experience and feeling of well-being.

Zen gardens do have a beautiful aesthetic , they are a place to sit and contemplate. Many people interpret them as a metaphor for their emotional life – greenery, blossoms, hard surfaces, hidden ingredients and pathways.

Thier history is rich and can be traced back to Buddhist monks in Kyoto ( Japan’s world

Ryoanji Zen Garden Kyoto

famous city of gardens) welcoming visitors for centuries to their finest example of a Zen garden RYOANJI TEMPLE. The garden is arranged to the most minute details – rocks , vegetation and water elements all carefully arranged. Beds of gravel are raked to show water ( when designing your own Zen garden you can also use ‘Silver Sand’ – if your space is not prone to much wind).

In a Zen garden senses are soothed, nature is copied, they have a feeling of harmony and calm. That is precisely why I am designing and building one – not to walk around but to look at and de-stress and contemplate.

I will put up all the relevant details her and will create a new page so that the information is permanently available on my website. Please keep coming back and I love to hear your views and thoughts.

Russ

Zen Gardens

Posted on by
Reply

Zen gardens ARE part of Japanese gardens and their culture. In Kyoto for example you can see some of the World’s finest examples of ‘Zen’ gardens. Often they are part of the grounds of temples but their popularity all over the world means that they have become multi faceted and mutli purpose.

Zen gardens can be indoors, on roof terraces and obviously outdoors. A Zen garden should have more than one meaning for the viewer – interpretation is key. As the Japanese say ‘the mind is flexible if we practice flexibility’.

Buddhism is the root of Zen gardens and they can be used on many different levels. In Japanese the word ‘Karesansui’ means ‘dry monutain water’. Hundreds of years ago Buddhist monks would draw metaphors in dirt and so began the basics of Zen gardens withing ZEN. It is after all an aspect.

For me a Zen garden is all about making the visitor or owner feel comfortable. Away from the hustle and bustle of life going on around you. a garden with a few rocks and raked sand has a tremendously calming appeal. It encourages the mind to focus on what we see and not flit around all over the place.

Zen gardens are very practical for meditation because of their feeling of calmness. The were almost visually medicinal in a way. In years gone by the wealthy, samurai and even high ranked politicians were invitied to take Tea and view these types of gardens from seated galleries. They would take in the elements of the garden and appreciate it’s meaning – for example a large stone in the middle of a Zen garden should represent the centre of the universe.

Zen gardens are designed to help us get away from a single subjective view of life . they can be visually decieving to stimulate the train of thought of a viewer. A good example of this is Ryuan-ji Zen garden which has 15 stones but wherever you view the garden from you can only see 14 stones.

Zen says that you cannot see all the things all of the time.

Some Zen gardens demonstrate the forces of YIN and YANG – the Chinese understanding of natural forces that alster our lives and the changes in our environment. In Buddhism a similar belief is called NIYAMAS – a belief of natural forces that can change our lives and world.

Zen gardens are a pretty complicated subject and if you would like to make one make sure you do your research. a lot of people like the concept and love the feeling of visual and literal tranquility that they bring.

Here is a guide to the essential ingredients for a Zen garden so you can get planning and designing. Don’t forget to ‘level’ an area of your yard or garden and get rid of the dreaded weeds completely:

Stones: try not to get stones that are too small. Arrange then before adding them to your garden until your feel happy with their placement. Take a photgraph to remember the arrangement for ease of adding them to the garden later on.

Rocks: You will need quite a few – it is best to gather them together in groups no lower than 3 and about 4 or 5 of those stone clusters will be sufficient.Partially bury your larger rocks into the ground in the layout that pleases your eye.

Brick and Wood: Primarily you will use either of these to ‘edge’ your garden space. You can use stones if you wish.

Fabric- you should source some landscape fabric cover sheeting. Cut to cover the base of your entire garden space. This will help prevent the return of weeds and provide a surface for your next ingredient.

Sand / Small Pebble Gravel: a covering of 4 to 5 inches will be enough ( approx 8 to 10 centimetres) going around the rocks and up to the edge of the Zen garden on all sides.

A Rake: This will give you the final ‘Zen garden’ look. Rake the sand or gravel as simply as possible. Take a look at photo’s and copy their raking if you want to be influenced by the expert Zen gardeners.

You can add pottery pieces, maybe a statue, a small pond it is up to you. these types of gardens are tranquil and peaceful and SO easy to maintain – no growing and apart from plucking out the odd protruding weed there is very little to do.

Zen gardens are special peaceful havens in a busy and stressful world and they are pretty simple to build and you will have fun too!