Plants for a Japanese Garden : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

Ornamentation, greenery, stones and water combine on a small scale to create a garden with a spacious feel.

Master gardener Chris Dawson is creating a tranquil Japanese garden in Zone 9. Non-plant elements have already been placed in the garden, and a variety of plants are waiting to be transplanted into the landscape.

Burgundy Japanese maple: The attractive form of the branches, colorful leaves and green bark that's highlighted after the leaves drop add year-round beauty.
Japanese black pine: The focal point of this garden, it is positioned to reach out over the pond for a natural effect. It is pruned to look like a bonsai and thinned a couple of times a year to maintain its form.

The red berries and colorful foliage of nandina are favorite elements in the Japanese garden.

Nandina: Also known as heavenly bamboo, this traditional plant is commonly found in Japanese landscapes.

Lily turf: Dawson chooses a large variety that grows to two feet tall and has an arching habit. It is hardy to Zone 4 and benefits from shade in areas that get hot. It likes evenly wet soil.

Azalea: Another traditional feature, it offers evergreen foliage and a splash of color to announce the arrival of spring. It has a shallow root system and doesn't require a deep hole for planting.

Behind the azalea, yew pines soften the transition from the bamboo fence into the rest of the garden.

Dichondria is a dense, mat-forming groundcover that comes in rolls, much like sod.

Yew pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus): The spindly, wispy appearance of this tree makes it an excellent choice to be planted in groupings tp create a screen.

Scotch moss and mondo grass: These are used as groundcovers in the planting areas.

Dichondria: It is easy to plant between the flagstones. Just lay it out and cut it with a utility knife to match the shape of its location. In more humid or cooler areas, use moss.

The elements of a Japanese garden have all translated well in this yard and have created a peaceful place for the homeowners.

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