subject: What is a Japanese Garden [print this page] What is a Japanese Garden What is a Japanese Garden
We're so caught up in our hectic lives, that we seldom get time to unwind and relax. We look for escapes from our busy schedule but rarely find them. The thought of taking a trip away for a couple of days seems appealing, but when it comes to the actual planning and packing and traveling, we prefer the comfort of our homes. There is indeed no place like home. Now think about this, what if you had that much desired escape route right in your backyard? What if you could take a trip into nature's splendor by just opening your back door? Sounds enticing? Then you'll love what I have for you! This article will tell you about Japanesegardens and all the different Japanese gardenplants that you can use in it. Just read ahead
What is a Japanese Garden?
Japanese gardens, as the name suggests, is a garden that is created in a Japanese style. It follows the basic principles highlighted inJapanese culture, like peace, serenity and tranquility. Nature is the central theme in a Japanese garden. And everything that you use must have an element of nature in it.Japanese gardens have always been influenced by the Chinese gardening style. The history of Japanese gardens states that, at first, they were made as a representation ofBuddhism, then the focus shifted to being a place to relax and entertain oneself. Then, with the improvement ingardening techniques, the Japanese gardens started flourishing and people who were interested in the designing and maintenance got a boost. Japaneseflower gardens have been glorified in numerous paintings and poetry.
Characteristics of Japanese Gardens
Read below for the typical characteristics and points to be kept in mind while designing a Japanese garden.
Vantage Point: Almost all Japanese gardens have a natural or constructed platform, from which the entire garden can be viewed. This could be a platform in the middle of the house or a window in your house, from which you can see the entire garden.
Rocks: Stone is an important element in a Japanese garden. Since nature has to be highlighted in a Japanese garden, the rocks can symbolize hills or a a mountain range.
Water: The basic idea of a Japanese garden is to magnify with the minimal space that you have. So, having water in your Japanese garden can be representation of seas or oceans.
Bridge and Lantern: A bridge from one part of the garden to the other, is also one of the salient features of a Japanese garden. Also, a lantern, made of stone, is seen. Though some people use it just for decoration, it does serve the purpose of lighting as well.
Greenery and Color: Another, and probably the most important aspect of a Japanese garden is to display greenery. A Japanese garden can exude the peace, tranquility and serenity that it stands for, only by using the greenest plants and also some flowering shrubs with vibrantflowers to add a dash of color here and there.Evergreen flowering shrubs display the grandeur of nature's bounty to the maximum.Bamboo plants are also used quite often.
Given below is a Japanese garden plants list that you can use to plan your own garden. They have been divided intograss or ground covers,shrubs and bushes, and trees that can be used.
