Updated 16/06/2025
Japanese gardens have a unique look and are easy to implement in your space, big or small. You can either add a subtle Asian twist to an existing garden design by including a few key Japanese style features or completely re-design the area to create the look and feel of a Zen garden oasis.
Admired for their structure and symbolism, there are many elements to the traditional Japanese garden. These are implemented to highlight the importance of appreciating and understanding nature. So, what better way to start appreciating our gardens more?
Plant style
The plants you choose can be a subtle nod towards the overall theme of your garden, as well as creating the structure for your space.
The Japanese maple is popular in all types of gardens. It’s a popular choice in smaller spaces as a stand out specimen tree, providing stunning summer, and autumn colour. With many varieties in all shapes and sizes, there’s sure to be one to fit the bill for your garden as long as you can give it a sheltered position to avoid wind scorching its leaves.
Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’ has intriguing colour-changing foliage that is purple in spring, becoming greener in the summer, but come autumn it is fiery orange-red.
Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons can be a welcome addition to your Japanese-style garden with plenty of varieties to choose from. Rhododendron occidentale has fragrant funnel-shaped flowers that will grace your garden in spring in a partially shaded and sheltered spot. Alternatively, azaleas are intrinsic in Japanese garden design, the bushy evergreens deliver all-year-round colour and interest, providing structure and shape to the space.
If you’re feeling creative and have a mature specimen already growing in your garden, take your secateurs and loppers and prune off the lower branches. Not only will this allow you to grow plants underneath it like cyclamen, but it will also reveal the beautiful contorted structure of the plants mature branches which is entirely appropriate to the feel of a Japanese style garden.
Hedging
Japanese privet or box-leaved holly may be what you need to provide some structure in your styled garden. These can be pruned into the ‘cloud tree’ shape using the Japanese method of ‘Niwaki’ which means ‘garden tree’. These marvellously manicured trees may not be symmetrical, but they show balance, which is just as beautiful.
For the iconic spring blossom, cherry trees are a must-have. If you have a small space, Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ is compact and slow growing, perfect for a pot and also provide colour all year round with white to pink blushing blossom and great foliage colour for autumn.
Water
Traditional Japanese gardens are designed with the senses in mind. So make your garden a sensational spot by incorporating wonderful water into your design.
In many Asian cultures, a garden is a place for meditative reflection. You want to create an area that helps you feel relaxed when you enter the garden.
The importance of sound
The trickling sound of water, or the calm stillness of a reflection pool, will help evoke feelings of relaxation and serenity.
Ponds are a great way of incorporating water into your design. Use this opportunity to introduce new plants and even some fish such as koi carp.
If you have a large enough pond, a small bridge over your pond will be a great ornamental feature. As bridges are a common feature in many Japanese-style gardens.
Reflections
For smaller spaces, a water feature or reflection pool will look great. Add organic black dye to a shallow pond and you and your visitors will be amazed at how deep your water feature will suddenly appear to be! The dye should last for around six months before needing to be re-applied and should also help keep green algae at bay.
Adding aquatic plants such as water lilies, will provide additional wow to your feature just bear in mind that water lilies prefer still to moving water.
Pathways and bridges
Pathways are used in Japanese gardens to help the body and soul to wander.
If you have a larger space, you can create a ‘Zen’ rock garden. Use large rocks or stones, surrounded by fine gravel or sand, raked into a pattern designed to imitate the ripples of water flowing.
Ornate
Most Japanese-style gardens feature ornate pathways and bridges. These allow you to meander to unseen areas of the garden. Build a simple zig-zag path to a hidden corner of your garden. This will help you incorporate this element, and you can use simple wooden slats or paving stones to add to the effect.
Even if you don’t have a water feature, you can add a little bridge into your paving design for decorative purposes.
Or create a pathway that imitates water by using gravel, sand or slate chippings. Shape the pathway to imitate the flow of stream water.
Statues and pavilions
Authentic Japanese gardens will include a pagoda. These are pavilions that were traditionally used as outdoor temples.
If you have sufficient space, you could place such a pavilion nestled in a corner of your garden.
For something on a smaller scale, a simple stone statue of a pagoda pillar is an excellent nod to the tradition.
For those final touches, add lanterns and, sculptures that match your design. These additions may seem small but these details will complement the entire look.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1 – What is a Japanese garden and how is it different from other styles?
A Japanese garden focuses on natural beauty, balance, and simplicity, often using symbolic elements like rocks, water, and carefully pruned trees to evoke peace and reflection. Unlike busier styles, it’s all about stillness, structure, and seasonal interest.
2 – Can I create a Japanese-style garden in a small space?
Yes, you can include key elements like a Japanese maple, a water feature, or a zig-zag path to bring the look to life in even the smallest garden. It’s about intention, not size, so small-scale features can still feel authentic.
3 – What are the best plants for a Japanese garden?
Favourites include Acer palmatum (Japanese maple), azaleas, rhododendrons, cherry blossom trees, and cloud-pruned evergreens like Japanese privet. Choose plants for shape, texture, and seasonal colour, not just flowers.
4 – What type of pathways suit a Japanese garden?
Use natural materials like gravel, slate, or wooden stepping stones. A zig-zag or curved path encourages slow walking and exploration, perfect for reflecting the journey through nature.
5 – What colours work well in a Japanese-style garden?
Stick to a natural palette like greens, greys, and browns. Then, accent it with seasonal colour from acers, cherry blossoms, or azaleas. Use plants and materials that complement rather than clash.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
I totally agree with your point on water. If you’re trying to add a little bit of Japanese influence into your garden you can never go wrong with the use of water. The sound of running water is such a tranquil noise and used a lot in Japanese gardens.
SO interesting and thought provoking. I have a better understanding of what appropriation means now. Thankyou.