The elements of the Japanese garden

The traditional Japanese gardens replicates on small-scale those elements of nature that integrate principles such as simplicity, clarity or subtlety. There are different types of Japanese gardens: Stone Gardens (Zen) – designed to stimulate meditation, with sand replacing the water and a dry general appearance, the gardens named Roji – designed for tea ceremonies and the Japanese promenade gardens – designed so that visitors can stop for admiring the miniatures shaped with a careful eye for detail and the small gardens in the backyard.

If you want to assign new meanings for some of the basics in Japanese garden, here are the most important:

Bamboo and natural stone

Photo source: www.qarmazi.com

Bamboo is recommended for the fences that separate various areas in your garden or even the garden entrance. Natural stone can be used in many ways in a Japanese garden: from decorative garden stone, decorative mosaics or pebbles to Japanese garden steps and travertine tiles (for gazebo/terrace flooring).

Mystery and alleys winding

If you have enough space it is important to always accomodate a concealed area – the winding walkways can hide small benches or decoration elements, or an all wooden gazebo, quiet and isolated (even made from bamboo).

Read also the article on The 7 principles of Zen applied to Japanese Garden!

Color shades and textures

Photo source: www.pinterest.com

Most Japanese gardens highlight combinations of similar textures and soft shades of color: you can try growing different pines for the added benefit of being green yearlong and besided create a beautiful contrast with the raw green of spring, the autumn shades of other plants and also their shape. One detail to keep in mind is that moss is perfect for the shady areas in your Japanese garden: is essential to avoid moss in high-traffic areas, because it won't last.

For terrace cladding or garden walkway, we recommend thicker tiles – to withstand the temperature variations.

A lake – the center of your Japanese Garden

A small lake is a basic element of a Japanese garden, which can be decorated with pebbles and decorative garden stone for separating the areas. Furthermore, if you have enough space, you can create small waterfalls and a creek for surrounding the garden. A small trick would be to replicate the flowing appearance of water from pebbles, adding also a small bridge, an important element of the Japanese-inspired garden. Of course, you can also add small garden fountains with simple design that can be well integrated into the setting.

Rocks and sand for meditation

Photo source: japanesegardening.org

If you set up an area with sand and decorative garden stone inspired by Japanese culture, you can maintain its appearance if you rake it every few days. Such a space invites to meditation, with the added benefit of a very relaxing work needed for maintenance.

For further details on choosing the natural stone best suited to your project give us a call at +40318.222.333, or send us an email at export@piatraonline.com!