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Mini Japanese garden

31 comments


Each morning we have our usual cup of coffee,sitting on the seat which my friend and neighbour left to us.There is a deep overhang to the house which gives protection from the weather.Directly below was a large Photinia which never seemed very happy.The new area would be right of it..It also interrupted the view of the remainder of the garden and dropped its leaves,..So,it was time to be rid!!! …..What to do in its place????

After many suggestions,we decided to plan a very small Japanese garden.There was plenty of left over gravel,which saved us buying.The Bonsai shaped potted tree came in very useful to fill one corner.Perhaps behind it I will plant a Japanese painted fern in the Autumn.
Decided not to crowd it,so added a couple of stones with interesting shapes .Will live with it for awhile.before I plant anymore.The following photos show the final garden.

This part of the garden has opened up tremendously now the Lavender hedge has gone and of course the Photinia.

Would welcome any thoughts on small spreading plants,please.Thanks for viewing it!

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Comments

 

How lovely Meadowland you certainly are on a s slope.

I so like my ground cover phloxes in my garden MDL.

Our friend Karen would be best to guide you but as she is away for a week .

Maybe someone else can guide you.

12 Aug, 2013

 

you have a very nice pleasant walk down your steps into a well prepared garden.. nice landscaped gardening to you both..

sorry no idea about plants.. had to comment tho because i loved what i saw in photos..

from jane. :J)

12 Aug, 2013

 

What a difference you have made, looks miles better opening up the view so ground cover or small plants, as you dont ovecrowd japanese gardens i would say maybe for next year or in low pots, Sempervivum or Mind your own business (Soleirolia) look great, maybe even a budah head..

12 Aug, 2013

 

That is so peaceful! Absolutely beautiful and I love the simplicity. It adds to the feeling of serenity. I'd love to have a morning cuppa there! :-)

12 Aug, 2013

 

Loving it!! What a massive difference. I love the shape of that tree in the pot, made for that space I think!
I've a ground covered phlox - Phlox subulata Kimono - name fits perfectly :)

12 Aug, 2013

 

I think it looks beautiful M. I wouldn't overplant it as you say or it will take away from the architecture of that beautiful tree which should remain the main focal point. How about adding something Japaneeseee ornamental. I was thinking a bamboo bird scarer to add interest from the other side, which is where you sit and view it. Some of Scottish's ground covered phlox or even some little moss mounds would just finish it off in my book. Those pagoda ornaments would look good too, I really like those. Its a vast improvement, no wonder you're pleased.

12 Aug, 2013

 

There a photo in my garden page of it M. Have a look at a plant called Azorella, a little mound forming beauty that isn't suitable for my garden, how I wish it was :) if you Google image you can see how it forms little mounds.

12 Aug, 2013

 

Less is more as they say!! dont put too much in M. but maybe a nice shuttlecock fern would look good, stick to greens perhaps or how about a little acer? There are many japanese ornaments around, a lantern would look nice too. It's a lovely corner.

12 Aug, 2013

 

Hi again M, I was thinking of bun moss. I used to use it a lot in my flower shop, so maybe your local florist could help you out with getting some. Also thinking of that Japanese guy who keeps winning all the medals at Chelsea, cant think of his name at the moment....but I know he used it a lot in his exhibits. It may be a construction item rather than a 'plant'. A ball of wire and a regular watering would be all that 's needed I would think. If you were feeling really kind you could give it a foliar feed once in a while. An old trick I used to use on moss that had yellowed was to pour boiling water on it. It works !

13 Aug, 2013

 

It looks very nice. Sometimes it's nice to have a complete change :o))

13 Aug, 2013

 

Well it looks very restful :o)

13 Aug, 2013

 

It really has taken shape and the whole effect is very lovely indeed. The landscaping is beautiful and has so much structure and elegance - well done you. I hope you find the true serenity of a Japanese garden as you sip your coffee out there.

16 Aug, 2013

 

That's lovely J! You don't need my ideas....I love the dwarf Bamboo idea....or an evergreen miniature fern.....it a very dwarf juniper (creeping) or perhaps a lovely mound of Mosses like in that wonderful Chelsea garden....loads of ideas here, but I agree with everyone...it looks wonderful as it is...uncluttered!

16 Aug, 2013

 

Unhave a lovely garden ..not easy on such a slope.It's nice to be able to start a new area in a mature garden .and what great restraint u showed, not ovelantimg it(something most of us tend to do, I think.)

17 Aug, 2013

 

Pretty area ... added to GoYpedia :o)

12 Sep, 2013

 

Absolutely love what you've created, Julia! (Can't imagine how I managed to miss this before - sorry.) It looks so good as it is, and really doesn't need much more, but the black grass (Opiophogon) would look pretty on the gravel :)

14 Feb, 2014

 

Oh yes - hadn't noticed you've got some in a pot! I'd love to know what you've used for the edging, please, as it looks really effective?

14 Feb, 2014

 

I thought it looked appropriately Japanese-y . . . many thanks, I'll look out for it.

14 Feb, 2014

 

How did I miss this, it is perfect, and what a difference you have made, you have such a great outlook too...I agree with the list of plants and ornaments etc..

12 May, 2014

 

Sounds delightful, look forward to seeing your photographs.

12 May, 2014

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