| Japanese style gardens are very popular due | | | | gravel. A Japanese tea garden is good choice |
| to the beauty and serenity they offer. The | | | | for a garden that is either incorporated |
| concept of these gardens is to provide a | | | | within a larger Japanese garden style or in |
| place where one can be relaxed and calm. When | | | | average sized yards and it is a popular one |
| designing a Japanese style garden, it is | | | | to create. It consists of two gardens; one |
| important that the plants and rocks meld | | | | being an outer garden and another being an |
| together in the landscape; and the design of | | | | inner garden. The outer garden consists of |
| the garden itself must be well thought out. | | | | the entry gate and is less formal in planting |
| Did you know that there are several different | | | | with a stone path leading to the inner |
| Japanese garden styles to choose from? Even | | | | garden. Visitors to the tea garden go through |
| though there are different types, you have | | | | a second gate where a water basin, called a |
| the freedom to meld two or more different | | | | tsukubai, is located and used in the tea |
| types together to make your own unique | | | | ceremony itself. The inner garden consists of |
| combination. However, you should have enough | | | | a stone path that flows through it and |
| room in your yard to be able to do so. Here | | | | formally placed non flowering plants. A small |
| are the different styles for you to choose | | | | building where tea ceremonies take place sits |
| from if you are going to plan a Japanese | | | | at the end of the inner path. A stroll garden |
| style garden. Island and pond style gardens | | | | is made of various paths that lead the |
| are gardens with a centralized pond that is | | | | visitor through interesting turns and new |
| large enough to either have a boat go across | | | | sights. Landscapes that are found in nature |
| or one in which you can stroll around the | | | | are usually the focus of these gardens and |
| edge of the pond. This type of garden is | | | | are often recreated in miniature form within |
| designed to where all plant life, as well as | | | | the garden itself. Large yards of at least an |
| rocks and other features, can be seen from | | | | acre are required to create these gardens |
| the pond area. The elements as well as the | | | | with interesting views. Do you want a |
| plants are blended into the landscape beyond | | | | Japanese garden but have a small yard? A |
| the garden itself. Small islands are also | | | | Courtyard garden just might be the perfect |
| created within the pond with a small bush or | | | | solution for you. These gardens work |
| tree to serve as a focal point and small | | | | especially well in yards that are very |
| bridges can also be built from the shore, to | | | | limited in space and are enclosed by a brick |
| the island and back again. Primarily used by | | | | or stone wall or wooden fence. It is simple |
| Buddhist monks within their temples, the Zen | | | | in design and can be observed from inside |
| garden is comprised of various size boulders, | | | | your house or enjoyed outside if it. |
| small and big rocks, gravel, and/or sand. | | | | Courtyard gardens consists of few plants, |
| Occasionally, they can also have one or two | | | | perhaps a tree, small water feature, often |
| plants consisting of a shrub or tree. The | | | | times a dry stream, or other simple elements. |
| rocks of a dry landscape Zen garden are very | | | | The most important thing to consider when |
| carefully positioned and consists of unique | | | | planning a Japanese style garden is to |
| shapes and sizes; often representing islands. | | | | determine what you wish to achieve with it. |
| The sand and the gravel represent water and | | | | Be sure to do some research on the subject |
| raked into various patterns. The Zen garden's | | | | and decide what you want to do with it before |
| goal is to help clear the mind of the viewer | | | | you start. |
| as well as aid in contemplation and | | | | |
| meditation without distractions. The garden | | | | Visit Garden Style Decor for more tips and |
| is to be viewed from a single focal point and | | | | resources for adding that special element to |
| is not entered into other than to rake the | | | | your backyard garden. |