Japanese gardens are designed to focus on meditation, contemplation, and a calming atmosphere. They allow the user to draw inspiration from natural elements, such as water, stone, sand, and living plants. Japanese gardens have a simple yet well thought out design that is centered around symbolism and structure. If you want to make an oriental-style garden oasis, you will need to choose plants that are connected to Japanese history and culture. Many plants that are native to Japan do well in climates in North America and Europe, which makes them easy to use in home gardens. For some of the best plants to give your garden a Japanese style, consider these options:
Japanese garden design principles emphasize simplicity, serenity, and harmony with nature. The thoughtful placement of a few carefully chosen tree varieties is a key element in creating an authentic zen garden. Let’s look at some of the most popular trees used in Japanese gardens and their unique characteristics.
1. Cherry Blossom (Sakura)
No tree is more iconic in Japanese culture than the cherry blossom known as sakura. These graceful trees explode with delicate pink and white flowers in spring. They can grow quite large, up to 40 feet tall and wide so give them plenty of space. Cherry blossoms prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Prune after flowering to maintain their open, spreading shape.
2. Japanese Maple
Japanese maple varieties are prized for their lacey leaves that turn vivid shades of red orange or yellow in fall. Dwarf cultivars are ideal for bonsai or container gardens. Maples need some afternoon shade in hot climates and moist, acidic soil. Prune in winter to control size and shape.
3. Pine
Pines like Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) and Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) are classic additions. They have an irregular, windswept look. Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil. Prune regularly to contain size and maintain shape.
4. Plum Yew
Plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub often pruned into mounded forms in Japanese gardens. It thrives in part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. Prune in early spring before new growth emerges if needed.
5. Japanese Cedar
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a handsome conifer that can reach 60 feet tall in its native habitat. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Yoshino’ are more manageable for gardens. Japanese cedar tolerates various soils but prefers moist, well-drained spots. Prune in spring.
6. Camellia
Camellias like Camellia japonica add year-round interest with their glossy leaves and showy spring blooms. Plant in part sun or bright shade and acidic, well-drained soil. Prune after flowering. Choose compact varieties under 6 feet for smaller gardens.
7. Japanese Larch
Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) is a deciduous conifer that turns golden yellow in fall before shedding its needles in winter. It thrives in full sun and moist soil. Can grow quite large, up to 60 feet tall. Prune in late winter to control growth.
8. Japanese Pagoda Tree
Pagoda or scholar trees (Styphnolobium japonicum) display puffy white summer flowers followed by autumn leaf color. Prefers full sun but tolerates some shade. Can reach 30 feet tall. Prune in late winter to manage size and shape.
9. Bamboo
Bamboo is quintessentially Japanese. Clumping bamboo species like Fargesia or Bambusa multiplex are well-suited to gardens for their tidy growth habit. Provide moist soil and some afternoon shade. Thin and prune emerging shoots to contain spread.
Key Design Tips for Trees in a Japanese Garden
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Select slow-growing, long-lived tree varieties that will gracefully weather the seasons.
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Carefully situate trees to create an asymmetrical, natural look with staggered heights and interesting negative space.
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Blend deciduous trees that flower or turn color with evergreen pines and conifers for year-round interest.
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Use dwarf or compact cultivars for small gardens and bonsai plantings.
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Prune and train trees gently to enhance their natural shape rather than over-shearing into strict geometric forms.
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Allow enough space between trees for air circulation and light penetration.
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Mulch around trees to cool roots and retain soil moisture. Water during dry periods.
The sublime horticultural art of the Japanese garden derives from a profound reverence for nature. By incorporating elegant, culturally symbolic native tree varieties and adhering to key design principles, you can create a custom zen oasis right in your own yard. Even just a single gracefully shaped Japanese maple can lend an aura of tranquility. Always select trees suited to your climate and site conditions for optimal health. With mindful care and patience, your living bonsai sculptures will reward you for years to come.
Yoshino Cherry Tree
Scientific Name: Prunus x yedoensis
Mature Size: Up to 35 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light: Full sun
Water: Average moisture needs
Soil: Well-draining
Flower Color: Pink, white
Cultivars and Varieties: Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’, Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’, Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’
When the Oshima cherry tree (Prunus speciosa) and the Rosebud cherry tree (Prunus pendula) were crossed, they made the Yoshino cherry. Both of these parent species are native to Japan, and the Yoshino cherry tree that was created can be found both naturally and artificially all over Japan. People all over the world who live in mild climates grow this type of cherry tree because it is so popular. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is known for the many pretty flowers that cover its bare branches in the spring before the leaves come out. Blooms are a sweet, candy-floss pink, and have a mild fragrance. They are lush semi-double flowers, which fade to cream and then white while opening up.
The leaves are also pretty. They start out shiny and deep green, then turn yellow and bronze before falling off in the fall. The tree’s skeleton looks nice all winter long, even when it’s bare, and its wide-spreading canopy keeps its shape without any pruning. This tree has a moderate growth habit and grows best in full sun. It will adapt to a variety of soil types, including clay, so long as it drains well.
Plants for a Japanese Garden
Scientific Name: Acer palmatum
Mature Size: Up to 25 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Maintain moist soil
Soil: Well-draining, acidic, organically rich
Cultivars and Varieties: Acer palmatum’ Crimson Queen’, Acer palmatum ‘Geisha Gone Wild’, Acer palmatum’ Emerald Lace’
No Japanese garden would be complete without an Acer tree, commonly known as the Japanese Maple. There are a lot of different types of these deciduous shrubs and trees, and their sizes range from dwarf varieties that only grow to two to four feet tall to trees that can be more than 25 feet tall. They are known for the ease with that they grow and their vigorous but elegant growth habits. Japanese Maple trees are famous for their beautiful fall colors, but some of them have brightly colored leaves all year long, in shades of orange, red, yellow, purple, and green.
Their leaves have seven points and are shaped like the common maple tree. These low-maintenance trees make eye-catching specimen plants in containers or grown directly in the ground. They are popular in many types of gardens because their leaves are beautiful and they have a unique look. They love the sun and moist but well-draining soil.
Scientific Name: Camellia japonica
Mature Size: Up to 15 feet
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Maintain moist soil
Soil: Acidic, well-draining, rich
Flower Color: White, pink, red
Cultivars and Varieties: Camellia japonica ‘Apple Blossom’, Camellia japonica ‘Ballet Dancer’, Camellia japonica ‘Korean Fire’
These long-lived evergreen shrubs bring lush blooms and glossy foliage to a Japanese garden. They have been grown in Asia for hundreds of years; some of the trees around the Japanese emperor’s palace are more than 500 years old. They have a structural and ornamental beauty that is often associated with Japanese style. They bloom in the winter to add color to the garden at a time of year when it is usually dull. There are over 30,000 different cultivars of this plant, with a wide variation of flower types. There are single flowers, half-double flowers, fully double flowers, and peony-style flowers. The blooms can be up to five inches across. Blooms come in pink, red, or white, but there are a lot of different shades within these three main colorways.
You can grow these bushy plants in groups to make a flower hedge, or you can grow them alone in a pot or along a border. They grow well against walls and fences, or with support. As shade-loving plants, these are often used to brighten up a darker corner of the garden. They need consistently moist soil and protection from harsh winds.
Scientific Name: Hakonechloa macra
Mature Size: Up to 2 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light: Full sun to full shade
Water: Maintain moist soil
Soil: Rich, well-draining
Flower Color: Green
Cultivars and Varieties: Hakonechloa macra’ Stripe it Rich’, Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Hakonechloa macra ‘Naomi’
This perennial ornamental grass has a mounding habit to form clumps of fine, cascading foliage. The soft leaves give a Japanese garden a calm and peaceful atmosphere as they sway in the slightest breeze. In the spring and summer, the leaves are a bright, fresh green. In the fall and winter, they turn a golden orange color. In the middle to late summer, green sprays of fluffy flowers appear, but they aren’t very important and are usually missed in favor of the beautiful foliage.
This grass is tough and can grow in either full sun or full shade, but it does best in partial shade. It loves moist soil, so it will work well alongside water features that are common in Japanese gardens. For good results, use it as ground cover under taller shrubs. It would also look great as a specimen plant in borders or pots.
Scientific Name: Hosta sp.
Mature Size: Up to 4 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Maintain moist soil
Soil: Well-draining, rich
Flower Color: White, purple, blue
Cultivars and Varieties: Hosta’ Cool as a Cucumber’, Hosta’ Empress Wu’, Hosta’ Komodo Dragon’
Hostas, which are often called “plantain lilies” or their Japanese name, “giboshi,” are native to Asia and can be found all over Japan. Their simple yet interesting aesthetic is one that blends easily into Japanese style gardens. Hostas are grown for their leaves, which are usually big and heart-shaped, but can be different between cultivars. They are usually variegated, with leaf edges in accent colors. Foliage can typically be found in shades of dark green, light green, yellow, cream, white, and blue.
These plants come back every year and are known for their beautiful leaves. In the middle of summer, they also have pretty flowers on tall racemes. Most of the time, these tiny flowers look like bells or trumpets. They are white, cream, blue, or lavender. These plants thrive in partial shade and need consistently moist soil. Also, they do well in full shade, where they can add much-needed color to dull or dark parts of the garden.
Scientific Name: Ophiopogon japonicus
Mature Size: Up to 1 foot tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-11
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average moisture needs
Soil: Well-draining
Flower Color: Purple
Cultivars and Varieties: Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana Dwarf’, Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (Black Mondo Grass)
This plant, despite its common name, is not actually a grass. It grows in dense clumps of long, thin leaves that will spread out over time to form a low-growing tufted carpet. Because of this, this evergreen plant is often used as a pretty groundcover in its home countries of Japan, China, and Korea.
Most mondo grass is dark green, but you can also get black mondo grass, which looks very modern and looks great with other bright plants as a background or contrast. The thin, strap-shaped leaves of this plant allow it to sway gently in the wind, making it a refreshing plant to use in a Japanese garden that is in tune with the senses. This plant does well in either full sun or partial shade, and it likes soil that is slightly damp, but once it’s established, it can handle drought.
Scientific Name: Papaver orientale
Mature Size: Up to 3 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average moisture needs
Soil: Fertile, rich, well-draining
Flower Color: Red, pink, orange, purple, white
Cultivars and Varieties: Papaver orientale’ Burning Heart’, Papaver orientale ‘Fancy Feathers’, Papaver orientale ‘Prince of Orange’
In a Japanese garden, these cheerful flowers stand out. They are easy to grow and have flowers that are more complicated than other types of poppies. Asian poppies have interesting flowers that can have petals that are ruffled, flat, or toothed. They come in many colors. The flowers have a delicate texture that looks as though they have been crafted out of crepe paper. The flowers appear in spring or summer and last for many weeks. They are held on tall, sturdy stems, allowing even the largest blooms to remain upright without support. Grow these plants easily from seed in a position of full sun or partial shade. They thrive in fertile soil.
Top 7 Japanese Garden Plants for Your Yard
FAQ
What Japanese trees are used in Zen gardens?
What plants go into a Japanese garden?
What are the three essential elements of a Japanese garden?
What trees are in the Japanese tea garden?
What trees can you grow in a Japanese garden?
Japanese maples, black pines, and classic cherry blossom trees are just a few recommended trees you can grow in your Japanese garden. Thankfully, they are all reasonably simple to cultivate across various USDA hardiness zones – let’s take a look at a few.
How do I choose a Japanese garden?
When choosing trees for a Japanese style garden, you will want to pick trees that fit. Trees are an excellent way of adding shade and protecting plants that don’t require as much sunlight in your garden. Japanese-inspired gardens use minimal color palettes with more diverse varieties of plants, from mosses to trees.
How many trees can you grow in a Japanese garden?
Gardens typical of the style focus more on shape than color – generally, you may only grow one or two species of trees for Japanese garden layouts. Japanese maples, black pines, and classic cherry blossom trees are just a few recommended trees you can grow in your Japanese garden.
What is a good plant for a Japanese garden?
Fragrant flowers and glossy leaves make Japanese Pittosporum a versatile shrub for Japanese gardens. Its dense growth habit and ability to be shaped into hedges or topiaries add structure and elegance to the landscape. 14. Scarlet Maple Stunning fall colors of red and orange make Scarlet Maple a beautiful addition to Japanese gardens.
What do Japanese gardeners like to grow?
Remember that even in a garden, Japanese gardeners love to grow plants in containers, as bonsai, or just to be able to move them around and enjoy them. They also like flowers, so think beyond pine and maple – although you can hardly have a Japanese garden without those two basic plants.
What is a Japanese garden?
Japanese-style gardens, or Zen gardens, are beloved for creating a wonderful sense of calm and tranquility. Gardens typical of the style focus more on shape than color – generally, you may only grow one or two species of trees for Japanese garden layouts.