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DIY Inspiration: Japanese Garden

DIY Inspiration: Japanese Garden

Would you like to step out your home’s door and enter for comfort or just get new insights? You can have it in your own backyard by designing a Japanese garden, a traditional garden whose designs are guided by philosophical ideas and aesthetic of the country of the rising sun. Peaceful and calm, a Japanese garden creates an unwind retreat, where every element is meticulously chosen and laid to give an impression of absolute beauty that mirrors the natural world outside the garden fences. Furthermore, it brings the Japanese philosophy and aesthetic with the aim to emphasize the natural beauty.

Designing a traditional Japanese garden is not an easy venture. In addition, it requires a lot of planning, time and effort as there is not a part of it that is left to luck. Every little plant and rock placed in it has its purpose. Therefore, trying to make your own garden in this style can be quite scary at first. Namely, because you need to follow certain principles behind the landscape techniques, which may overwhelm you just by looking at them.

What is more, there are numerous types of Japanese gardens such as dry gardens, hill gardens, tea gardens, flat gardens, Zen gardens, string gardens and many others. And there’s an even larger number of meanings and rules for garden elements which are namely water, rock & sand, bridges, Koi fish, stone lantern, fence, trees and flowers.

Maximum Result with Minimum Effort

There are four basic principles when planning a traditional Japanese garden. These principals should be a part of every decision you make when planning and making the ambience by yourself.

  1. Simplicity implies that you should not clutter your garden as well as your mind, but try to accomplish maximum result with the minimum endeavour.
  2. Miniaturization stands for a replicate of natural scenery on a smaller scale, meaning all of the physical elements fit into a small area.
  3. “Borrowed scenery” includes everything surrounding your garden to complement the garden itself such as nearby trees, mountains or water springs.
  4. Concealment is a synonym for features hidden halfway or concealed to peak interest and stimulate meditation by pulling further into the garden.

Work with What You Have

A rule of thumb for creating a meditation garden is to use what you already have. Whatever idea you have for it, you should not try to rework the actual space. Instead, consider how you want to realize what is in your head to have the effect you want it to have with what you possess.

Equally Beautiful Through Every Season

The basic structure of the garden is very important since it was imagined to be enjoyed in every season of the year. When trees are stripped from the leaves or covered with snow, in the height of the spring and summer, your Japanese garden should stay equally mystical and mesmerising. 

Symbolic Meaning of Elements

The basic elements that make up the Japanese garden have a symbolic meaning that guides their user. Non-living elements play a major role. What is more, all are based on yin and yang principle. Stone and water are the keys. Pebbles and sand serve for paving, while large boulders can be scattered or used as a bridge or symbol of a temple wall. A small structure such as a tea house may also be included.

Select the Right Plants

When it comes to plants for the garden, the best choice is Japanese maple and evergreen bamboo. Also, a good choice would be any tree with an unusual form such as ginkgoes (if you don’t want it to be too messy, go with a male ginkgo), ornamental plums and. Use moss to suggest that the garden is ancient and encourage it to spread in cavities and cracks. Go with shrubs that emphasize foliage rather than flowers. Bonsai is always welcome in the garden of this style.

Set up a Pergola

If you have a smaller patio you can turn it into an exquisite out-of-doors space by adding a pergola. Here, a nice wooden pergola would fit like a charm and professionals such as Aspect Shade can help you set it up for this sort of work is really not a DIY kind. You can place it over a pebbled patio and boost it with an Asian style seating arrangement. By adding pergola, the patio will seem a lot bigger than it actually is because the pergola creates the impression of a courtyard.

In Summary

Japanese garden, if done correctly, can bring a serene oasis directly to your backyard.  Keep in mind that these garden designs come in all shapes and sizes and each is unique in its own way.  Therefore, you need not worry as there is no wrong garden.  Once finished, your Japanese masterpiece should bring you peace of mind and inspiration for years to come.

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