Japanese gardens are known for depth and beauty, but also for providing a tranquil space to relax an regroup in the middle of a busy life. You may not have a lot of space to work with in your landscape, but it does not take a whole lot to create your own little corner of zen. Sanctioning a corner of your existing landscape and creating a perimeter is all you need to do in order to create your own Japanese garden area. Once you have a designated spot separated from the rest of the property, there are three basic steps to finish up the design.

Implement a Balanced Foundation

Part of the appeal of Japanese gardens is the fact that their design is always consistent and balanced. To lay the basis for this design idea, you will need an equal balance of plants and earth in the form of either small gravel or sand. Equally divide your landscape corner and fill accordingly with planting material on one side, and gravel or sand from a company like Burien Bark LLC on the other.

Sand, gravel, and soil tends to settle over time, which can cause issues down the road. To force the new materials to settle before you add the decorative elements, saturate the entire space with water and allow it to dry for several days before taking further steps.

Implement Plant Greenery

These gardens rarely have flowering plants. Instead, sharp contrasting shades of greenery are used to create depth and dimension. You are trying to achieve a layered effect that cannot be seen all at one time. Start at the backside of the space and work your way forward, using plants of varying heights and colors. For example, in the far corner you could start with a dwarf Japanese maple tree surrounded with tall, chartreuse ornamental grasses. Your next row of plants should be smaller in height and offer different textures, such as white-edged hostas and contrasting red bamboo.

Implement the Decorative Accents

With the foundation and plant-life in place, your garden will need decorative accents to be complete. Large and tall stones are often used in the midst of the sand or gravel to mimic mountains. A concrete lantern is a nice way to bring in the element of fire and shed light in the space. Add the sound of flowing water with a solar powered fountain made of natural bamboo stalks. Do not forget to add your own preferred sitting space, whether it is a concrete bench or seat made of natural materials.

With just a few materials and a little creative thinking, you can transform a corner of your landscape into a Japanese garden. You will be amazed just how serene your garden can help you feel at the end of a long day.