muddywellies
nominate your own title
North Devon, SW England
Japanese Garden Proposal
12 Jul '07 10:45 pm I've found a space in my garden!
Which I am considering turning into a Japanese Garden. Ever since moving here I've wanted to build a Japanese Garden under the lee of a line of my neighbours Ash trees. My original idea evaporated when the machete I was using to cut through the overgrowth at the time struck brick! Since then, 'the brick' has been turned into a 60ft Alpine House but I've continued to dream of having my own oriental patch.
Currently, I'm looking for Japanese Garden inspiration. So if anyone can help with ideas? I'm thinking of either a garden visited, a picture, URL, book title, whatever it might be . . . I'm sure it would help, thanks.
cajunangi
distinguished helper
South Louisiana
13 Jul '07 1:28 am Go to www.gardenweb.com
they have a bunch of forums on everything you can think of...Im sure you should be able to find something. Also I suggest you go to Google and type in Japaneese Water Garden + Ideas...
Dixie
garden enthusiast
Waikato-New Zealand
Inspirational gardens
13 Jul '07 10:00 am Our own beautiful Hamilton gardens near my home has areas landscaped in styles of various countries,(though I have never been very sure of the 'American' landscape garden.)
Go to www.Hamiltongardens.co.nz >Paradise garden collection>Japanese garden...
The garden is designed to be surveyed from a pavillion,so that visitors do not walk amongst it,but the mind is doing the exercise through the vision....a garden of contemplation...The colour scheme is monochromatic-green and grey.
Best wishes,
Dixie.
Jack Holloway
Passionate Gardener
SEQUOIA FARM Haenertsburg South Africa
Curved ball
16 Jul '07 7:49 am My suggestion is not quite Japanese - it is one of my favourite gardening books, written by an oriental: Yoko Kawaguchi's SERENE GARDENS - creating Japanese design and detail in the western garden
What I love about it is that it captures the essence of Japanese design without encouraging a pastiche of it. In fact, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, let my send you a picture of the cover which perfectly illustrates how 'unjapanese' some of her photos are!
A visit to any good library or bookshop will introduce you to a vast collection of delectible books on Japanese gardens - often at calm-shattering prices. There were a spate of them about four years ago, and some beautiful black and white ones in the 50s/60s.
Thinking further: this is as good a place as any to mention that a moment in my Japanese Walk, the approach to the Anniversary Garden, was inspired by this picture. I have never taken a fully satisfactory photo of it. But my sister, when here on a visit last September, photographed the most amazing sun patterns on the round African pots I used. And so I present you with: Japanese ala Jack!
16 Jul '07 3:13 pm Jack's idea is a brilliant one. So you get the gourmet garden but you use your own recipe!
If you have the summery time to get really analytical, try writing down the things you think you like about Japanese gardens anyway. It could be something as simple as the gravel, or as plantable as the maple trees - what a great excuse to buy some beautiful little trees!
Promise us that you won't do a polystyrene rock!
muddywellies
nominate your own title
North Devon, SW England
17 Jul '07 8:13 am Poly.... (Can't even say it). Yuch!
Found a fascinating book. No how-to pages. Doesn't need them. Just loads of top quality, inspirational images you can leisurely peruse through and wallow in a very different world.
"Landscapes for Small Spaces" - Japanese Courtyard Gardens - by Katsuhiko Mizuno
Your sister 'has a good eye' Jack. I know I for one would have walked right past those pots, camera in hand.
