You can create a quiet corner on your site for a relaxing holiday using landscape compositions in the Japanese style, which are characterized by an abundance of green plants, gravel areas and small ponds. Such compositions are becoming increasingly popular and are appropriate even in small areas.

In the garden, the design of which we present, you can reflect on the eternal, sitting on a bench hidden under sakura (cherry serrata), or simply enjoy the rustling of bamboo leaves (Phargesia umbellata). A narrow gravel path from the bench leads to the center of the site, where a flower garden is located on a hill. Here the sagina subulate grows, framed by azaleas with bright red flowers. All eyes in this garden are drawn to the bonsai-style mountain pine planted next to the bench. Next to it, right in front of the hedge of Fargesia umbellata, protecting from prying eyes, hydrangeas are planted, captivating in July-August with white caps of inflorescences. Hydrangeas are accompanied by xiphoid irises, growing in the coastal, flooded zone of the reservoir. Japanese anemone flowers blooming hybrid variety Rosenschale announce the arrival of autumn. And two fan maples of an original shape with dark purple leaves help create bright colorful spots.

A narrow lawn and shrubs look dull and colorless. To turn a site into a favorite place to relax, you need a clear plan for its arrangement, as well as a lot of new plants.

Small garden in Japanese style

1. Fargesia umbellata(Fargesia murielae) ‘Simba’: bamboo with bright green leaves and stems; a plant up to 2 m high and wide loves partial shade, moist air and does not form root suckers (!); seedling height 60-80 cm; 4 copies
2. large-leaved(Hydrangea macrophylla) ‘Lanarth White’: white umbrella-shaped inflorescences decorate the shrub almost all summer in July-August; the plant reaches 1.2 m in height and width; 2 copies
3. Small serrated cherry(Prunus serrulata) ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’: small tree with picturesquely hanging shoots; double flowers bloom in abundance in spring before the leaves appear; a plant up to 5 m high tolerates almost any soil; the height of seedlings varies from 1.5 to 2 m; 1 copy
4. Sagina subulate(Sagina subulata): a moss-like plant that forms a dense dense cover, which in June-July is strewn with small white star flowers; perennial 5 cm high grows well both in sunny areas and in partial shade; 200 copies
5. Japanese anemone(Anemone japonica) hybrid variety ‘Rosenschale’: large pink cupped flowers with dark edges adorn the plants in September; Perennials up to 80 cm high are propagated by dividing rhizomes; 10 copies
6. Fan maple(Acer palmatum) ‘Dissectum Garnet’: low growing,
but a wide shrub up to 2 m high with dark purple carved leaves; It is best for the plant to select soil with good water permeability; seedlings 0.8-1 m high; 2 copies.
7. Azalea ‘Canzonetta’: bright red flowers up to 6 cm in diameter delight gardeners from late May to mid-June; in autumn the leaves do not fall off, but acquire a bronze-green color; plant 30 cm high; 15 copies
8. Mountain pine(Pinus mugo) 'Humpy', bonsai style: evergreen compact tree which requires regular pruning; crown diameter 60-80 cm; 1 copy
9. Iris ensiform(Iris ensata) ‘Variegata’: blue flowers bloom in June-July; the perennial is also decorative thanks to its variegated whitish-yellow-green leaves; a plant with a height of 30 to 60 cm is perfect for decorating the coastal, fairly humid zone of a reservoir; 7 copies
Variegated flower beds behind
When it comes to village gardens, most of us imagine lush flower beds of herbaceous perennials, annual flowers and ornamental shrubs, fenced with low wooden fences.

In this design option, summer-blooming plants typical of a village garden are used: peony, lupine and poppy. They are planted in two flower beds near the vigorously growing flower bed rose ‘Donauprinzessin’. She pleases with dark pink flowers several times during the summer. Roses and peonies look good together not only in a flower garden, but also in a vase. Among the luxurious star flowers, discreet evergreen boxwoods, shaped like balls, are planted. Against the background of a picket fence painted light blue, giant plants look impressive - uiTOK-po3a’Nigra’ with dark purple flowers, stately Chinese miscanthus and several sunflowers, which you can grow from seeds yourself.

The flower beds are framed by Cantabrigian geranium ‘Biokovo’, which has a compact shape and retains green leaves even in winter. The leaves decorate the garden until they are hidden by the snow. Countless small white flowers of Cantabrigian geranium bloom in June and July. A wide lawn path leads to a cozy seating area under a scab-resistant 'Topaz' apple tree. The apple tree plays the role of the main tree of the garden.

Making a flower garden in the backyard

1. Sunflower annual(Helianthusannuus): self-grown seedlings; 10 copies
2. Stock rose(Alcea rosea) ‘Nigra’: dark purple flowers adorn the biennial in July-August; the plant prefers sunny areas, soil rich in nutrients and is able to reproduce by self-sowing; 12 copies
3. Deutzia calmiflora(Deutzia x kalmiiftora): ornamental shrub
with arcuate hanging shoots; in June, dense clusters of white-pink flowers appear on a plant up to 1.5 m high; 2 copies
4. Apple tree 'Topaz'‘: a medium-sized tree on which sweetish-sour fruits with red-orange stripes ripen in September; the variety is relatively undemanding to growing conditions and is resistant to diseases such as scab; 1 copy
5. Miscanthus chinensis(Miscanthus sinensis) ‘Silberteder’: ornamental grass with arched leaves;
in September, inflorescences of luxurious silver color appear; plant 2 m high; 4 copies
6. Lupine (Lupinus) ‘Kastellan’: fragrant flowers of a combined white and blue color bloom in June-July; the flowers stand well as cut flowers; herbaceous perennial fits perfectly into gardens designed in rustic style; pruning after the first flowering promotes the formation of new flowers in late summer; plant 80 cm high; 15 copies

Note:

Lupine appears in all its glory at the end of June, when numerous butterfly-like flowers begin to bloom at the bottom of long peduncles. To significantly extend this wonderful period, regularly cut off fading flowers in inflorescences before seeds form. Then the lupine will grow new shoots and inflorescences will form, which will bloom in August. This plant prefers a sunny place and grows well in soil with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction and good water permeability.

7. Geranium Cantabridge(Geranium xcantabrigiense) ‘Biokovo’: fragrant white flowers produced in June-July; the plant is 20 cm high and has overwintering leaves; 50 copies
8. Flowerbed rose ‘Donauprinzessir’: dark pink double flowers are formed several times per season; flowers stand well when cut; plant up to 90 cm high; 4 copies
9. Boxwood evergreen(Buxus sempervirens): a ball-shaped shrub that needs regular pruning; plant 25-30 cm high; 3 copies Oriental Yu Mak (Papaver orientale) ‘Lauffeuer’: plants of this variety do not need to be tied up, since the shoots do not fall apart; light red flowers bloom in June and do not fade for a long time; plant 50 cm high; soon after flowering, the leaves and stems die off;
10 copies
10. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) ‘Sarah Bernhardt’: double light pink fragrant flowers decorate the herbaceous perennial in June; To prevent the flower stems from falling to the ground, place supports on them; plant 1 m high; 3 copies

A harmonious combination of human influence and natural elements is the goal of every park complex. This harmony is most fully reflected in the traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun, which is why the Japanese-style garden has survived centuries of change and is popular even today.

Deep into history

The first written sources in which the hieroglyph “niva” (garden) is found date back to the eighth century AD. At first, this term meant a certain space, without natural or artificial fences. Later, man-made elements appeared - fences, pebbled paths, small architectural structures.

The concept of a Japanese garden is related to painting. The stunning color schemes of Heian period gardens coincided with the rise of the Yamato-e school. The appearance of Buddhist monasteries and temples occurred during the era of samurai - pomp and decorativeness gave way to laconicism and monochrome, and the era of dry landscapes began.

The combination of incongruous elements also marks the so-called tea garden - another direction of Japanese park art, which arose already in the 16th century.

Japanese garden - principles of creating style

Three pillars on which the park complexes of temples and palaces are based:

• the indispensable combination of water and stone, symbolizing the masculine and feminine principles in Eastern philosophy;
• naturalness of plants, stone blocks, decorative design;
• asymmetry of the landscape with an emphasis on one or more individual details of the composition.

Additional conditions for the structure of a Japanese corner include the presence of an open area and the use of restrained, harmonious color shades.

Photo: landscape design of a summer cottage

Garden design styles

In modern landscape design, there are four types of Japanese-style garden design. These variations are successfully used to organize space.

1. - a small part of a yard or house with an open roof.
2. – a site with a minimum of plants. It is not difficult to create such a site, but the decorative effect of the design will be relatively small.
3. . This landscape complex differs from the European park tradition that is familiar to us. Characteristic feature– maximum use of natural plants and forms, as well as following the seasons.
4. – characterized by the combination of two types of green spaces with different landscapes. In the shady corners there is certainly a pavilion - wabi, in which the tea ceremony - tyanoyu - takes place.

Let's take a closer look at each of these green corners and highlight the principles of their creation.

The garden appeared during the development of urban architecture in the early Middle Ages. The name itself speaks of the miniature nature of the landscape composition - the word “tsubo” means a small area, 3.3 square meters. m.

Such a garden is located both in tiny areas of the yard outdoors and indoors.

Photo of a classic tsubo:

Main purpose of breakdown miniature garden– let light and nature into limited urban space. Plantings for a green corner are selected depending on the cardinal directions. For example, in the northern part sun-loving plants are not planted, and the lack of flowers is compensated for with moss.

The tsubo territory is lined with stones, leaving a small piece of land for planting. In the center of the composition are several plants that match the style of the building. The easiest way to create such a Japanese garden at your summer cottage is to install a tsukubai lantern, make paths from “flying stones” - tobiishi, and harmoniously arrange several plants.

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The lack of light is compensated by lamps, lanterns or an ingenious gallery of mirrors, which saturate the boring walls of a city house with bright and warm sunlight. Decorative lighting will be a small touch that completes the tsubo composition.

This is a poetic interpretation of an archaic motif - the search for islands of eternal youth and immortality. Ancient legends are reflected in the structure of the rock garden. Although landscape design does not pay enough attention to Japanese philosophy, it continues to use the age-old principles of constructing stone gardens.

For the Japanese, stone has never been a building material - only an object of worship and admiration. Echoes of the cultic attitude towards stone blocks are presented in classical methods of arranging compositions. When creating oriental design boulders are placed in the following ways:

• Mount Horai is a single stone in the middle of a pond as a symbol of this distant peak.
• Mount Sumi is a composition of three stones located in a pond or on a small hill.
• The Three Jewels is an arrangement method based on Buddhist traditions.
• Crane and turtle islands - repeated in the garden landscape folk tales and legends.

The Japanese attach great importance to the choice of stones. Since boulders are often used in groups, it is not the shape of the individual object that is important, but the harmony of the composition. The design of the Japanese garden welcomes interspersed ancient stones covered with mosses and lichens, with rounded outlines. According to the beliefs of the Japanese, such blocks bring peace and harmony to the house; without them it is impossible to decorate a garden in the style of the Land of the Rising Sun.

When creating a composition, they adhere to clear principles for arranging stones. The difficulty lies in the correct placement of the main boulder that crowns the entire landscape design. The remaining elements naturally frame the central stone block, creating miniature compositions symbolizing islands or mountain ranges. A Japanese-style garden gives free rein to imagination, but at the same time dictates its own rules.

It is not customary to place stones in an ascending or descending line - the Japanese do not like artificial symmetry. River, mountain and sea stones are not combined in one composition.

To keep the boulders stable, they are dug in. To hide defects and chips, low-growing shrubs or grass are planted near the stone composition. Plants for a Japanese rock garden are chosen in wild, modest colors.

The appearance of this territory is the most familiar to the European view: open space, water flow and a lot of green spaces. Both evergreens and deciduous trees– this is how the alternation of flowering of each seedling is achieved depending on the season.

A good addition to trees are trimmed bushes of boxwood, rhododendron, cotoneaster, etc. Such plants, if necessary, hide the walls of houses, garbage containers or composting facilities (if the garden is planned to be located in the country). Conversely, the decorated caps of bushes serve as a natural frame for the view of a river bank or an endless field.

Great importance in a tree garden is given to decorative elements - hedges, bridges, lanterns, gates... As a rule, internal barriers are made light and airy using wooden picket fence or bamboo. But external fences are made of stones and decorated with tiles.

Part of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its main purpose is to create the necessary atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Its area is not large and imitates a fragment of a mountainous area where eastern sages settled.

At the far end of the garden there is a hut for the tea ceremony - chashitsu. This is a small ascetic house, reminiscent of the home of the sages. Both the appearance and interior decoration of this building are very laconic. It is believed that this is the only way to achieve true harmony and tune in to contemplation.

The garden itself seems to prepare a person for the ceremony, being the border between the busy world and the territory of spirituality.

It is decorated in a discreet style, close to nature. Plants and stones are arranged in a natural, seemingly chaotic order. The lighting should be low, barely enough to see the path.

Lanterns are an indispensable attribute of a Japanese garden; they are used both for decoration and for lighting the area. At first, decorative lamps were present only in tea gardens, but later they became business card any landscape design in Japanese style. As a rule, only one lantern made of stone is installed. Pedestal models - tachigata - brightly illuminate the surrounding area. The luminous flux of hidden lanterns - ikekomigata - is directed downward.

Photo: the bridge serves a decorative function

Bridges in a Japanese garden do not always serve as a means of crossing to the other side; rather, they are used as another design element. Unlike Chinese or European designs, the Japanese bridge is flat, sometimes not intended for walking at all. The Yatsuhashi bridge is extremely decorative, composed of eight elements - stones or wide boards.

The parts of the structure are laid in a zigzag pattern, so walking along it can be difficult. Such bridges fit well into a landscape park; they are installed over artificial ponds, depressions with wet soil, or directly above the lawn.

Japanese gardens can tell a lot about the character of the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. And for Europeans it is a magnificent combination of light, greenery, stone and water, a kind of door to understanding the culture and traditions of the East.

Video: miniature Japan on site

Japan has always attracted the minds of people, primarily with its mystery, mystery and unusualness. The Japanese garden is incompatible with a riot of colors; its main purpose is not to admire beautiful flowers. The main thing is to make a person think about the sublime, at least for a short time to forget about the imperfections of the world around him.

Types of Japanese gardens

At first glance, achieving such an effect on your own is extremely difficult. Especially if you start learning the basics of creating Japanese gardens with complex compositions, but don’t give up. Before you start thinking about the layout and selecting elements for decoration, it would be useful to familiarize yourself with the types of Japanese-style gardens.

There are 4 types of gardens:

• park gardens - we can say that the gardening art of Japan began with them; the first representatives of this type appeared around the 6th-7th century, migrating from China;

• palace ones - appeared in the 9th-12th centuries; from the name it is clear that mere mortals cannot have such gardens;
• temple ones - they are located at monasteries and should set a person up to think about lofty matters;
• the domestic type is the most common, not only in Japan, but also abroad.

Park garden

His distinctive feature is a large area, most often such gardens were located on a flat area where a river flowed or there was a lake. In some cases, nearby rice fields were also used as part of the decoration.

This is not the property of one person, but rather a national treasure, especially since such gardens have practically not been preserved in their original form. This great place for creativity and relaxation. In the past, these were the places that imperial families preferred to relax.

This type became the basis and Japanese garden art of later times borrowed much from the design of the first gardens. For example, a strict color scheme and minimalism in design.

Palace Gardens

Like park ones, they occupied a significant area and were used mainly for pleasant pastime imperial family and nobility. The main element is an island and a lake (or even several), connected to the shore by elegant wooden bridges.

Otherwise, the design was very reminiscent of park gardens, the only thing the main emphasis was on was that the reservoir had to be visible not only from the ground, but also from the building. The size of the reservoir had to be sufficient for boat trips, a pastime that the Japanese emperors loved.

Temple Gardens

In Zen Buddhism, the beauty of nature is not the least important. It is believed that contemplating beauty and perfection wildlife a person can become a little closer to knowing the truth. That is why the Japanese garden is an integral element of every self-respecting temple in the land of the rising sun.

It is worth noting the new trend in the design of the territory. It was here that for the first time the usual plants began to be replaced by boulders and small stones (depending on the area of ​​the garden). We are talking about the famous “stone gardens” and.

Boulders, pebbles, small stones, and pieces of moss were used as the main design elements. Particular attention is paid mutual position individual elements, the intricacies of creating a rock garden are discussed below.

Pay attention!
When using boulders and stones among vegetation, moss on them is appropriate.
This technique will only enhance the overall impression of hoary antiquity, and this will benefit the overall impression of the garden.

Home gardens

In Japan, the problem of free territory has been acute for many years now, but even in such conditions, many houses have their own small garden. It gets to the point that its area can be literally measured in a few square meters.

Visually, such a Japanese garden should create a feeling of continuation of the space of the house. It is advisable to use water; its murmuring will promote peace. Ideal option can be called the combination of a series of small reservoirs with cascades of low waterfalls.

Tea gardens can be distinguished as a subspecies in this category - tea drinking is a serious ceremony and requires a separate approach. The tea garden was supposed to lead a person along a winding path to a water source, and after the traditional washing of hands, it was time for tea.

Features of Japanese gardens

Each Japanese-style garden is unique, but several can be distinguished general recommendations, applicable in the design of any garden. You can also cite a number of elements that can be skillfully combined to create an unusual atmosphere.

When designing a site, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• the use of stones can only be encouraged;
• water is also a recommended garden design element. Of course, not everyone can afford to arrange a small lake on their property, but the effect of the water surface is worth the financial cost;

• if nothing works out with a reservoir, then you can try to create a dry stream. The main task of the designer is to create the feeling that a small stream has just dried up;
• paths in a Japanese garden should not bend at sharp or right angles. In nature you can only find soft curves and smooth contours; paths should be made in the same style;

• lighting - everything is simple with this, you can simply purchase ready-made ones in the Japanese style and install them in suitable places;
• Properly selected vegetation also plays a big role;

Pay attention!
The lighting should be soft; flooding the entire area with bright light is completely unnecessary.

• if the size of the plot allows, then on the shore of the lake you can install a small pagoda or at least a couple of benches for rest and reflection;
• in some cases, a Japanese garden will look incomplete without a “shishi-odoshi” (deer scarecrow) or “tsuku-bai”, the same scarecrow, only with a more complex design.

Rock garden

To create it you will need several large stones, gravel to decorate the space between them and, possibly, some moss.

The main difficulty when arranging stones is not to violate the basic rules of a stone garden:

• large boulders can be found in splendid isolation in the garden;
• smaller stones can be grouped by 3.5 or even 7 stones. It is recommended to combine elongated and regular shapes;

Pay attention!
It is strictly forbidden to place oblong stones in a horizontal position.
So they will resemble a lying human body, that is, they will evoke associations with death - not the best effect for the garden.

• there is no need to try to achieve symmetry. When designing a garden with your own hands, it is better to choose the right point of contemplation and build on it;

• the space between individual groups of stones is filled with gravel, it is leveled and wavy lines can be drawn on its surface with an ordinary rake - this will symbolize the sea.

Pay attention!
It’s not always possible to have boulders of the required shape at hand, and not everyone can handle heavy weights.
A way out of this situation can be homemade stones with a filler made of plastic bags and a frame made of reinforcing mesh, their surface is coated with a layer cement mortar and after drying, such a stone does not differ from natural one.

Water in a Japanese garden

When constructing a reservoir, it is important to feel the balance between the size of, for example, a pond and the size of the garden itself. A stormy waterfall will look out of place in a small garden and will become more of a source of concern than a calming mood.

Not a single Japanese landscaped garden cannot do without reservoirs (as an option, “dry reservoirs” can be used). A cascade of small waterfalls or a simple stream would look nice, but static bodies of water are also widespread.

Particular attention should be paid to the following features:

• coastline - regular rounded outlines are contraindicated for Japanese gardens. It is best if the coast is broken;
• reflection of the water mirror - a good solution would be to plant plants on the shore that will hang over the water;
• Large boulders would be appropriate at the bottom of the lake;
• if the size allows, then in the center of the lake there must be a small island, to which an elegant wooden bridge should lead from the shore.

Dry bodies of water

Japanese parks and gardens often do without water in the usual form; in this case, so-called “dry streams” or ponds are often used. The main task of the designer is to give the viewer the impression that the water disappeared just a few hours ago and the next rain the reservoir will be filled.

For the simplest version of a dry stream, the instructions look like this:

• a channel is formed. To do this, the turf is removed and a depression is made in the ground;
• the riverbed is laid out with pebbles (you can also use other materials, for example, granite);
• plants that usually grow near bodies of water are planted on the banks;

Pay attention!
A couple of plants can be planted in the very bed of the stream.

• installation of small bridges is allowed.

Paths and vegetation in the garden

When organizing paths in the garden, long straight sections should be avoided, but frequent sharp turns will be unnecessary. The path should curve smoothly and, walking along it, a person should see all the hidden corners.

As for the appearance, you should not adhere to the correct shapes, that is, paving slabs will not work. The best option – large stones with a flat surface, if traces of weathering are visible on them, this will only be beneficial. The edges of such large stones can be decorated with moss; there are many options, and the price of such a path will be even less than that made from ordinary tiles.

Stones can be called the basis (skeleton) of a garden, but without plants (without flesh) any garden will look empty. But not every type of vegetation is suitable; if in an ordinary garden bright spots are only beneficial, then when decorating in the Japanese style, the color scheme should be calmer.

The most commonly used are evergreen species, which are important primarily because they allow you to create interesting shapes that last all year round. And the eternal greenery makes you think about the eternal.

As for specific species, the following plants can be used for a Japanese garden in Russia:

• Japanese maples (you will have to carefully insulate them for the winter), other types of maples can be used;

• coniferous plants – we're talking about about different types of pine trees;
• bamboo is rarely used, in Russia we can only mention sazu - a small bamboo that in warm weather will grow to a maximum of 1.5 m;
• Shrubs include azaleas, rhododendrons, and euonymus;
• Irises and chrysanthemums are suitable for perennials;

• Ferns and moss are also often used in decoration.

Pay attention!
When choosing a plant for a Japanese garden, you need to take into account the climate of Russia.
Some of them cannot tolerate severe frosts.

Summing up

The Japanese garden is a great place not only for simple relaxation, but also for thinking about the eternal. This place puts you in a calm mood and makes thoughts flow smoothly and measuredly like the waters of a deep river.

Despite the apparent simplicity when designing, you need to take into account a lot of nuances, the information in this article will help you understand this issue. The video in this article discusses the main nuances of designing a garden in the Japanese style.

The Land of the Rising Sun is famous for its distinctive culture and traditions. Here, each item has its own philosophical meaning and centuries-old history.

The main word that characterizes Japanese culture is harmony. She reigns in everything. The unity of man with nature creates an atmosphere of tranquility and makes one think about the eternal. That’s why the Japanese style has become quite popular in our country.

How to create on your site the original atmosphere of the land of philosophers and samurai?

Planning principle

The main accents in the formation of a Japanese garden: asymmetry in the arrangement of elements, smooth lines, the predominance of green, red, yellow, orange, purple shades, simplicity of design techniques.

Visually, such a garden is divided into two zones. In one zone, the main one, they install decorative elements, stones, plants are planted. The second zone, in contrast to the first, remains deserted.

In addition, in the main zone, the “visual distance” method is used to effectively reveal the landscape:

• large plants are planted in the foreground or voluminous stones are installed
• in the background - medium in size
• on the third - the smallest

Then, while walking around the garden, new elements of the landscape will be revealed to you with every step. Everything resembles the untouched, fascinating naturalness of nature.

Philosophy and symbols of the garden

"There can be a garden without flowers, but there cannot be a garden without stones." This is what the Japanese sages said.

The Japanese garden differs from the garden plantings we are used to and combines three main components - water, stone and vegetation, which are in harmony with each other. The harmony of the elements is especially important here.

There are few or no plants. And the main elements, the basis of the garden, are stones skillfully installed on the territory.

No less important in landscape design is water - the “blood” of the garden. A waterfall, stream, spring or pond are essential elements of your Japanese corner.

Rock garden

The stone symbolizes perseverance and strength, and when collected in a composition, they symbolize the endless and unknowable Universe. That is why the stones are laid out so that no matter your location on the territory, you would not see all the stones at the same time.

We begin laying out the composition of stones (necessarily an odd number) from the left corner of the site diagonally. Try to use stones together color scheme or in groups different colors, without any processing, just as they are in nature. Overgrown with moss, the boulders will look even more natural. Compositions of large and small stones are also possible. We plant plants with attractively colored or unusually shaped foliage nearby.

Smooth winding paths paved with stone are exactly what makes a Japanese garden calm, balanced and fills the atmosphere with harmony. A path of smooth flat stones symbolizes a journey through life without obstacles or problems. What will the path in your garden look like?

Using river pebbles, sand or pea gravel (all of which traditionally represent water), you can create a "dry stream" or small waterfall.

Sandstone and natural slates are also used to decorate the garden.

Plants for the Japanese garden

Each of the plants carries a philosophical meaning:

• pine is a symbol of long life, courage, strong character, longevity
• weeping willow - modesty and obedience
• plum tree represents the beauty of the soul
• maple - a symbol of wisdom, knowledge
• bamboo - assertiveness, fortitude, striving forward
• bindweed - poetry of life
• moss, lichen - personify maternal kindness and love, protection and reliability

Therefore, when choosing plants for your garden, take this aspect into account.

Niwaki, plants grown in a special way with a beautiful extravagant crown, can become an extraordinary decoration for your garden. They are also called “garden bonsai” for their strong similarity to these plants. The main principle in landscaping the area is the “wave principle”: plants are selected in such a way that you can admire something at any time of the year.

Shrubs and low-growing trees, such as rhododendron, juniper, Karelian birch, dwarf spruce, are combined with tall ones - oak, pine, elm. Fruit trees (cherry, apricot) can easily replace Japanese sakura and will also delight you during flowering.

Among herbaceous plants, you should choose large-leaved species, such as hosta, fern, chrysanthemums, and Rogers.

Bamboo and baobab are heat-loving and may not take root in our area. An alternative to bamboo can be black alder "Imperialis" or Sakhalin buckwheat.

If the area of ​​your garden is in the shade, plants such as rhododendrons, Japanese primrose, three-row polygonum, and light rose will be suitable. Good on the sunny side: Japanese spirea, dwarf Weymouth pine, Ginnala river maple. Bright periwinkle or Siebold's hoofweed will also be appropriate in your flowerbed.

Water

Water is a symbol of vital energy, purification, prosperity, positive energy. A Japanese-style garden is unthinkable without a water feature. This is a waterfall (symbolizes the beginning of human life), a stream (streams of water - the river of our life), a fountain, a small pond. You can plant moisture-loving plants along the banks of your pond.

An alternative could be a “dry stream” or “dry pond”, as well as wavy lines drawn on sand or shallow fill.

An indispensable interesting element in your garden will be tsukubai - this is a stone bowl for washing your face and hands (symbolizing purity and innocence). Water is collected from tsukubaya using a bamboo ladle. Usually tsukubai are placed near the house or at the entrance to the garden.

The space around the tsukubai is filled with the “sea” - black pebbles. Tsukubai can be combined with the Oribs lantern (no other lanterns are suitable for this role). This type of blowing will perfectly highlight the style of your garden and fill it with the melody of rushing water.

We can talk endlessly about Japanese culture, it is so interesting and fascinating. And you can't go wrong if you decide to decorate your garden in Japanese style. After all, it is here that you will feel on the same wavelength with nature, which is so important in our modern dynamic pace of life.

Relief

Depending on the characteristics of the site, you can create a garden in flat or mountainous terrain.

Reanlzi Garden- an example of a planar composition. For this design you will need sand, small stones and moss. Draw transverse stripes-waves on the sand with a rake - they will symbolize the water area, a “dry pond”. Arrange moss and stones randomly.

For hilly terrain, sand, pebbles and large structural rocks are useful. Place a large elongated stone vertically - this is your mountain peak. Make flat rocks into the sides of your hill.

Bridge in Japan - a symbol life path Therefore, it is made from valuable tree species. For a harmonious combination, lay a stone path to your bridge. You can also lay stones on both sides of the bridge or plant a flower bed. Sitting on the bridge with a cup of tea, you can think about the main values ​​of life.

Japanese aesthetics are completely special. Luxury and intricacy, redundancy of objects are alien to her. Japanese beauty lies in calm balance, harmony of shapes, lines, shades and sounds.

The Japanese landscape is not just a picturesque picture, but a way of understanding the world, which is based on a very respectful, poetic attitude towards nature.

Garden design in Japan, of course, is also the result of the work of masters, but, above all, it is a product of intellectual labor. A Japanese gardener will not “reshape” the relief and remake the landscape, trying to adapt the area to his own whim. He is a student of Nature and, creating a landscape, follows its laws.
Even the tiniest Japanese garden is a copy of the surrounding nature, a philosophical interpretation of the environment that is characteristic of a particular area. There is nothing random in it, not a single meaningless detail: every stone, lantern or stump is a symbol of a certain concept and is “responsible” for luck, health, and material well-being.

Advantages and features of a Japanese garden

Why does the Japanese landscape captivate Europeans?
Mysterious thoughtfulness, clarity of lines, smooth flow of shade into shade... But it also has other interesting qualities.

The Japanese garden promotes the formation of a reasonable, equanimous attitude towards life; it pacifies and develops the sense of taste.

A Japanese garden is an excellent stress reliever. And also, since it is dominated by Feng Shui, the doctrine of the circulation of energies, it is also a place of strength and physical healing.

Finally, such a garden is a perfect model for a plot of any size, even a very small one. It will also fit perfectly into areas of non-standard shape - too narrow, located on a slope, with rocky, hummocky soil.

However, realizing the Japanese dream is not so easy.

What does this require?
— Firstly, to have a truly refined taste.
— Secondly, quite extensive knowledge about Japanese culture. Moreover, you need to share a worldview that will become the conceptual basis for your garden. In particular, remember that absolutely all objects must be full of meaning and be located where they are prescribed by Feng Shui.

The unshakable rules that should be followed when setting up a garden in Japanese include:

1. multidimensionality. A garden is created, first of all, for contemplation, therefore, at every turn of the path, from every elevation there should be an opening. new perspective. To achieve this, level differences, bridges, and hills are widely used.
2. Lack of symmetry. Nature does without rulers and compasses, and the Japanese garden, let us remind you, repeats nature in everything.
3. The main elements in the Japanese worldview are plants, water and stones. This is, if you like, the “holy trinity” of the Japanese garden.
4. There are traditionally a lot of stones. They are located in groups, forming local rock gardens; paths are laid out of them, and dry streams are made.
5. An important nuance is the use of local materials. There is no need to bring picturesque stones from afar - they will be alien to your area.
6. Water is welcome in any form. It could be a pond, stream, fountain.
7. Composition is another priority of the Japanese landscape. Individual objects should be combined into picturesque groups: a stream, a bridge and a textured pine tree, for example, or a stone, a bush and a lantern above them.

If you dream of decorating your entire personal plot, then first break it into parts of irregular, arbitrary shape. It is desirable that they coincide with the main functional areas.
Then take care of a soft, natural transition from zone to zone: use stones, trees, and discreet accessories as conditional boundaries.

However, do not try to recreate Japan among Russian aspens and birches; do not mindlessly copy garden samples from Kyoto and Okinawa. Main - general principles. And choose plants, stones, flowers from the local habitat: only such a landscape will look believable, which ultimately corresponds to Japanese philosophy.

Basic colors of a Japanese garden

In the Land of the Rising Sun they believe that large number wildly flowering plants of various types can unbalance a person, deprive him of peace and thoughtfulness.
A legend has been passed down from generation to generation, according to which a certain shogun, having heard about the beauty of one of the gardens, notified the owner that he would come to him for a tour. When the bishop stepped through the garden gate at the appointed hour, he did not see a single flowering plant - all the flowers were mercilessly cut off. The guest got angry... But the owner invited him to the gazebo, where there was a flower on the table - the only one, unique. Such a dramatic reception made the shogun’s heart tremble with surging feelings.

In other words, the charmingly restrained range of the Japanese garden, consisting of shades and halftones, smooth transitions. The pinnacle of skill is to ensure that a certain corner of the garden is designed in numerous shades of one single color. Let's say white, yellow or purple.
But gray, moss green, muted brown and non-blinding white can be called the basic colors for the Japanese landscape.

Metaphysics of trees in a Japanese garden

A classic Japanese plot is unthinkable without three, one might say, sacred plants - plum, pine and bamboo. The first symbolizes spring, the triumph of life and is considered the tree of the samurai.
The tradition of admiring plum blossom branches (hanami) is no less strong than in the case of sakura.
Pine represents courage, fortitude and longevity; a crooked, wind-worn pine tree is one of the most recognizable emblems of the Land of the Rising Sun.
And bamboo is associated with flexibility, strength, and the ability to overcome any circumstances.

Deep symbolism, however, was formed later. And the first Japanese gardeners simply used those trees and shrubs that grew nearby. At the same time, mountain plants were planted in areas where there were a lot of stones, and valley plants were used to decorate estates located in the lowlands. This means that it is not at all necessary to buy Japanese seedlings and seeds; familiar, local flora is quite suitable for the garden.

Bamboo, for example, can be replaced with willow, fargesia, saza, and tall Sakhalin knotweed.
Siberian cedar from Russian pine forest will cope with the role of white and black Japanese pine, and native cherries will bloom and smell no worse than Japanese ume plums.

When choosing plants, remember: your task is not to make the garden shimmer with colors from the first days of spring until late autumn. And the point is that bright bursts of flowering alternate with long dormant phases.

Cherries, smooth elms, oaks and especially maples also look very Japanese - the pattern of their leaves and rich autumn palette fully correspond to Japanese ideals of beauty and harmony.

Bushes, herbs and flowers

When choosing shrubs, you should consider the architecture of each plant, the texture and shades of its leaves. Most often, landscape designers recommend barberry, cotoneaster and hawthorn. Thanks to the berries and the shade of the foliage, these crops are quite effective and also hold their shape for a long time after being cut.

It is impossible to do without periodic pruning: tradition requires that the garden have spherical-shaped plants. It is given not only to cotoneaster, barberry, boxwood, but even to low elms, thujas, dwarf yews, and rhododendrons. These and other trimmed plants are often used to form hedges.

To create green walls and carpets are used different types spirea, deutia, as well as herbs - molinia, feather grass, miscanthus. Mosses, decorative sedges and grasses are widely used.

Arrange several miniature monogardens. They can be formed from hostas, ferns, that is, plants of the same type, supplemented with stones. This artistic method fully corresponds to the spirit of the Japanese garden.

Flowers in the Eastern worldview have as many meanings as trees. Everyone knows, for example, that the chrysanthemum is the same symbol of Japan as a sakura branch or the silhouette of a pine tree. Daylilies, irises, and bulbous plants are also in high esteem.

Plant chrysanthemum-shungika. It's special edible species flower, very popular in the East. The Japanese prepare many dishes from the leaves of this chrysanthemum, claiming that they have healing properties.

Peonies are appropriate in the Japanese garden, symbolizing love, amaralis, a symbol of modesty, as well as white roses - a sign of nobility. However, there should be flowers in moderation and it is better to place them not in common flower beds, but in separate lawns.

Stones and more stones...

Their importance for the Japanese garden is enormous.

Firstly, stones are used to lay out a recreation area - a patio. As well as the main path going deep into the garden. For it, large slabs with uneven edges are chosen, and smaller samples are used to cover secondary paths and boundaries between zones.
Secondly, stones are needed for a dry landscape, in other words, for. The fact is that in the old days the Japanese believed that gods lived among scattered blocks and boulders. Since then, the rocky landscapes have been a place where monks meditate.

At the heart of the rock garden is a heptagon of lines, at the intersection of which large fragments of flagstone, granite, and quartz are installed. The space between them is covered with pebbles, on the surface of which waves are drawn.

Stones are selected taking into account both shape and color. Gray and bluish are identified with the element of water, greenish with vegetation, and stones of strange shapes symbolize animals in the garden.

The stone garden should be located in such a way that the sun does not blind the eyes of those who admire it.

The more varied the shape of the fragments, the better. In this case, there must be a lying, horizontally elongated stone; curved; flat; low-vertical and stone statue. Without the latter, the Japanese say, a garden is not a garden.

Variety of reservoirs

There should also be a tsukubai bowl made of stone, a low tub that was once used as a washstand. Tsukubai these days are part of the decor, as well as a reminder that water is the eternal, philosophical companion of stone.

If space and possibilities allow, you can dig a pond, characteristic detail for the estates of Japanese aristocrats. Often in the middle of such a reservoir an island is poured (a symbol of the habitat of souls, that is, immortality), connecting it to the shore using wooden flooring or stones (stone slabs).

Almost always there is a waterfall in the Japanese landscape. The jets fall from a piece of rock into a narrow channel formed by smaller stones. Splashing and murmuring are considered one of the best music in Japan, and flying water adds dynamics to the landscape.

You can organize traditional Japanese ponds without extra costs by resorting to modern means. Tsukubai bowls, for example, today are made from polyvinyl chloride, painted to resemble old, mossy stone.

Small architectural forms and lighting

If you intend to follow the canons of Japanese landscape art in everything, then you cannot do without a tea house. Moreover, the first Japanese gardens arose around such houses as an addition to the traditional tea ceremony.

Actually, today a tea pavilion can be an ordinary wooden gazebo in the shape of a pagoda or cube, painted red, brown, white.

Another important attribute is the zigzag yatsuhashi bridge. Its elongated, serpentine silhouette symbolizes the tortuosity of life’s path, the road that a person travels in search of truth.

Bridges can also be curved, resembling a rainbow, imitate ships, be made of wood and stone, and extend not only over reservoirs, but also over dry streams.

Near a pond, waterfall, or rock garden, don’t forget to install benches - straight, ascetic in shape, consisting of stone supports and flat wooden seats.

Stone lanterns are a tribute to tradition that should not be abandoned. Such lamps come in a variety of shapes and heights - from squat ones, reminiscent of rounded stones, to tall pillars.

There are also hanging lanterns, lamps made of bronze, in the form of pagodas, carved squares, cylinders, polygons... Some of them shine upward, others are designed to illuminate the ground...
If you place these devices correctly - along the paths, along the perimeter of the patio, at the edge of the pond, near the gazebo - the area will receive the optimal dose of natural light: dim, but a little mysterious, like the entire garden.