A Japanese Garden

I find some of my latest posts moving away from budo as I explore some other aspects of Japanese culture. My latest project is building a Japanese garden opposite the entrance to my dojo on my property. I have played around with designing a garden like this before but without much success. This time, I made sure to read more and really define the space I will be using. I have been inspired by the gardens I did see while overseas and the local nurseries and landscape places have also given me ideas. Finally, I am at a stage in my life where I have the time and money to put something together I can be proud of. 

I first had to decide on the type of Japanese garden I was going to make. This was largely decided by the space I was using. I had cleared an area that approached the door to our house but can be viewed from the entrance of my dojo. It is not a big space, a narrow shape of about 4-5 square meters with a tall fence backing it. I wanted a pleasant view from the dojo door but the garden had to appeal to someone walking alongside the garden entering my home. 

There appears to be four or five styles to consider (depending on what book you read). Pond gardens (also called hill and pond) have a body of water as their main feature. I had already decided that the area I was using would not have water, so this style was out. Dry gardens use rocks, moss, pebbles and sand to create miniature landscapes. I could certainly use elements from this style. Tea gardens create an atmosphere of seclusion and often have paths, lanterns and water basins through them. My space was not large enough for this style. Stroll gardens incorporate many aspects of other styles and encourage the visitor to move along paths gaining different scenes from alternative angles. They usually require a large space, no good for me but some of the ideas could be used. Finally, the courtyard garden style is simple and designed to fit into a small space. This was a good option for me.

Starting to put garden elements into the space. 

After some consideration I decided to base my style mainly on courtyard gardens as they do bring in elements from other styles and I like the simple design used. I decided upon using large rocks, an existing miniature Japanese Maple, a non-invasive, clumping bamboo called Bambusa, a type of hardy moss called Schleranthus biflorus and some other plants that would allow for ground cover and splashes of colour all year round. Finally, to really make the features 'pop', I used white and pale blue river stones in the empty spaces.

White and blue stones showcase this large rock that is skirted by moss.

To make this garden easier to maintain, I placed rich compost down and covered this with weed-mat. This was my blank canvas. I took my time placing stones and adjusting them until I was happy with the views from my key viewing spots (the dojo and the path alongside it). Then I cut holes in the weed mat and 'planted' the rocks by slightly burying them to hold them in place. Large rocks represent mountain elements of a miniature landscape so I had to keep this in mind as I chose my rock shape and position. In the picture above Schleranthus became the forest around the mountain and the white and blue stones symbolise the water around this mountain island. Larger grey river stones frame the whole garden, providing contrast and keeping the smaller white stones in place.

Other plants included a type of Azalea called Mardi Gras that produces red flowers edged with white and displays from autumn to spring. This means when the Maple drops its leaves and loses colour, the Azalea brings the garden alive again with its flowers. For ground cover, I introduced Ceanothus 'Diamond Heights'. This plant has green and gold leaves that displays pale blue flowers in spring. As the Azalea forms a small bush that grows to about 40 cm in height, I planted it towards the 'background' of the garden with the Ceanothus to the foreground. Finally, I planted an Acacia cognata 'Limelight' as a feature plant. It grows 0.8 m by 0.8 m and has delicate lime green weeping foliage.

The young Azalea surrounded by the white and blue stone.

As the garden is on the Southern (and therefore shady) side of the house all the plants prefer part shade or full shade except the Acacia. This plant I placed furthermost from the shadow of the house in a hope it gets the full sun it needs. 

With six 20kg bags of stone down, the garden is taking shape. 

I tried to create symmetry in the space but at the same time follow the rule of odd numbers that are found in Japanese gardens. So I have standing stones at either end of the garden. A lone stone near the house and a set of three stones at the other end. I have an Azalea planted behind a Ceanothus but off-centre to each other. This paired arrangement is found in both sections of the garden. Finally, I have singular features around the garden. The mound and adjoining maple are one (I hope to get a suitable stone ornament to place on the mound). The single Acacia is another and finally the bamboo residing at the back will become a 3 metre tall presence.

The completed garden viewed from the dojo doorway.

The completed garden looks out of balance with all the white stone (about 240 kg worth) but as the plants grow and get larger, I am confident the desired look will appear. Now all I have to do is wait.

Set of three stones standing watch at one end of the garden.