| Most Japanese gardens require little maintenance | | | | softening contrast with the stones and rocks, but |
| because the components that are used are things | | | | other types of Japanese-inspired garden include a |
| like gravel, pebbles, stones, wood, water and | | | | few more plants, chosen for their interesting form or |
| occasional, carefully-chosen and well-positioned shrubs | | | | grace. These can be planted in between the pebbles |
| or small trees. | | | | or in large containers. Mosses thrive in moist |
| The Garden Design | | | | conditions out of direct sun, but if they cannot be |
| It is important to create a sense of tranquillity and if | | | | encouraged to grow, try moss like plants as an |
| possible provide areas for contemplation in the | | | | alternative, such as Sagina Subulata, S. Procumbens, |
| garden. The design should be kept quite simple and | | | | or, in mild areas, the ground-hugging carpeter Soleirolia |
| uncluttered, focusing on outline, shape and | | | | Soleirii. |
| contrasting textures, the use of plants is restrained, | | | | Water Feature |
| resulting in a garden that satisfies the senses but | | | | Water, the essence of life, should always be present |
| requires minimum aftercare or maintenance. | | | | in a real Japanese garden, normally it would be fresh |
| Creating Focal Points | | | | running water, but for the low maintenance approach |
| Features like rocks and stones have an important role | | | | even a simple bowl filled with water would be calming |
| in many Japanese gardens. They can be set in an | | | | in a garden and offers birds the opportunity to drink. |
| area covered with fine pebbles, which are an ideal | | | | A bubble fountain washing over pebbles or a running |
| labour-saving ground cover. When wet, they change | | | | stream effect would be an ideal feature. |
| colour and catch the light beautifully. | | | | Traditional Japanese Ornaments |
| Pick some special stones of varying size, colour and | | | | In far eastern philosophy, the traditional garden |
| character, and arrange asymmetrically in one or two | | | | features have their own significance within the strict |
| areas in uneven numbers. Traditionally, the pebbles | | | | rules and special meanings of the garden design. |
| are raked into variations of parallel lines and snaking | | | | Bamboo wind chimes create soothing sounds, while a |
| spirals centralised on the main rock features. Gravel | | | | rounded lantern and a linear bridge are pretty, and |
| can be substituted for pebbles as a cheaper option. | | | | useful for introducing contrasting shapes. You could |
| You can inset a walkway of large paving slabs or | | | | introduce different ornaments to suit your own taste |
| sawn tree-trunk pieces in the gravel. | | | | and garden size. |
| Minimalist Planting Methods | | | | Try some of the low maintenance tips above and |
| In an authentic Japanese stone garden, the only | | | | see if you can create your own slice of Japan, but |
| plants might be mounds of green moss providing a | | | | without giving up your free time! |