Japanese gardens have captivated people with their minimalist, mystical beauty for centuries. Japanese gardens reference an astounding depth of cultural and spiritual symbology, telling stories through plants, materials, and design,.
Demystifying these secrets can be daunting for anyone trying to recreate Japanese garden vibes at home.
To understand and use the basics, you don’t need a PhD in Japanese history. Plants are a great place to start.
In this post, I’ll provide essential info on 25 Japanese plants commonly found in gardens worldwide. I will talk about the hardiness zones, soil, and sun exposure of these Japanese plants, but I will also talk about their spiritual and cultural meanings, so you can write your own story!
Create a Tranquil Japanese Garden with These 10 Iconic Plants
Japanese gardens are renowned for their tranquil beauty. The peaceful plant combinations and naturalistic landscapes create zen-like spaces for relaxation and contemplation. If you want to design your own backyard sanctuary in the Japanese style, start by incorporating these 10 iconic plants.
Eye-Catching Japanese Maples
Japanese maples like ‘Sango-Kaku’ are instantly recognizable for their lacey, hand-shaped leaves. The striking foliage comes in shades of red, orange, golden-yellow, or deep purple. Maples are focal points that provide elegant structure year-round. They are perfect as stand-alone specimens or grouped to form a graceful canopy overhead.
Lacy Wood FernsFerns like the delicate Dryopteris sieboldii have an airy, Asian look Their ruffled fronds contrast beautifully with the maple’s bold leaves Plant in shady spots to recreate the lush undergrowth of a woodland garden. The fresh greenery softens hard edges and adds tons of texture.
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses lend movement and sound to the garden. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ features graceful, arching blades striped in yellow, green, and pink. As the foliage sways in the breeze, it seems to shimmer and dance. Plant en masse for serene swathes of color and light.
Inky Black Mondo GrassWith dark purple-black foliage, mondo grass adds stylish contrast Mass in shady areas as a living mulch Its dense growth habit also makes a striking border. Edge gravel pathways or accent rock gardens and water features.
Elegant Lilies
Lilies like Lilium regale beam elegance with large, trumpet-shaped blooms. They perfume the garden with intoxicating fragrance. Their big, showy flowers convey abundance during their summertime peak. Plant among ferns or ornamental grasses to dramatize their blossoms.
Mossy Ground Cover
For the quintessential Japanese garden look, plant mossy ground covers like dichondra between stepping stones or under trees. This “green carpet” offers a lush alternative to grass. The super-low growth feels sensuous underfoot and gives a aged, established look.
Vibrant Azaleas
Add pops of color with azaleas like Rhododendron kiusianum. Their festive blooms energize spring landscapes. Plant in drifts or mass in borders to recreate the stunning azalea walks found in historic Japanese gardens.
Bamboo Groves
Bamboos lend height while their rustling leaves generate tranquil sounds. Use clumping types like black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) to easily establish “groves” as living fences or property screens. Prune annually to control spread.
Weeping Cherry TreesCherry trees like Prunus ‘Snow Fountain’ bring seasonal delight when covered in billowy white blooms. Plant where the pendulous branches can spread freely Train others as standards over ground covers or ponds for maximum impact
Stone Lanterns
No Japanese garden is complete without stone ornaments. Lanterns represent enlightenment and guide the way along paths. Use contemporary versions or authentic antique pieces to infuse tradition. Cluster with blooming cherries or maples to create a quintessential spring scene.
With graceful maple trees, vibrant purple grasses, inky black mondo grass, and pops of colorful azaleas, you can create a Japanese-inspired sanctuary right in your own backyard. Add a few stone lanterns, mossy ground covers, and cherry trees in bloom, and you’ll have a gorgeous Asian-style retreat.
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2 Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
AKA: Dwarf Lilyturf
Native to: Japan, China, India, Nepal, and Vietnam
Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Pros: Evergreen, extremely hardy
Considerations: Partial sun/shade; moist, well-drained soil
Mondo Grass is a low-growing, evergreen ground cover highly valued for its lush, grass-like foliage. This plant is very useful because it grows thick tufts of thin, dark green leaves that look like a smooth, carpet-like surface in the garden. It looks great between stepping stones, along garden paths, or as an understory plant in gardens that get some shade.
Mondo Grass does best in partial to full shade and likes moist, well-drained soil. Once it’s established, it doesn’t need much care. It’s also remarkably resilient, tolerating various soil conditions and urban pollution, making it suitable for multiple landscaping needs.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
AKA: Hakone Grass
Native to: Central Japan Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Pros: Excellent ground cover
Considerations: Full/partial sun, shade; moist, well-drained soil
Japanese Forest Grass is a graceful, shade-tolerant grass known for its cascading habit and vibrant foliage. One of the best things about this ornamental grass is its soft, arching leaves, which can be bright green or golden yellow.
Japanese Forest Grass does best in moist, well-drained soil. It looks great along borders, under taller plants, or in pot gardens. It prefers partial shade, where its colors can glow vividly without being bleached by strong sunlight. The grass moves beautifully with the breeze, adding a sense of motion and softness to garden compositions.
20 Great Plants for Japanese Style Gardens
FAQ
What are the 3 essential elements of a Japanese garden?
What is the best plant for a zen garden?
What is Japanese style of planting?
What type of plants do most Japanese people decorate their homes with?
What are the best plants for a Japanese garden?
But before we meet these perfect plants for a Japanese garden, let’s see the 12 basic principles of Japanese gardens. 1. Buddha Belly Bamboo (Bambusa Ventricosa) 2. Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) 3. Japanese Boxwood (Buxus Microphylla Var. Japonica) 4. Japanese Sedge (Carex Oshimensis) 5. Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis Pisifera) 6.
What is a Japanese inspired garden?
Create a tranquil space with a Japanese inspired garden, using these key plants. Japanese inspired gardens are defined by their calming atmosphere and restrained colour palette. In Japanese garden design, trees and shrubs feature heavily, particularly evergreens, along with trees with blazing autumn foliage or delicate spring blossom.
What can you plant in a Japanese pond?
Ponds can be planted with waterlilies and Japanese flag irises, Iris ensata. For smaller gardens, consider garden water bowls or trickling water features. Create a tranquil garden inspired by the gardens of Japan with these key plants and tips. Expert growing advice from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.
How to create a Japanese style garden?
To create a Japanese style garden, choose the right selection of plants. Japanese style gardens are incredibly popular for their serene and soothing impact. They can easily be created in any sized garden by opting for décor and embellishments to suit the style, such as natural materials like stone and wood.
Which Japanese plants are used in Zen garden designs?
Without further ado, let’s examine the most common Japanese plants used in Zen garden designs worldwide. 1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Japanese maples are a standout choice for any garden due to their striking leaf shapes and colors.
What are Japanese garden plants?
Japanese garden plants can add tranquility, structure, and peaceful energy to your outdoor space. From showy Japanese maples and stunning crimson cherry blossoms to delicate ground covers and elegant accent grasses, these plants will transform your yard into an oasis of calm and natural beauty.