ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Dimensions:  34m²
• Build time: 2 weeks

Within an L-shape bed the journey begins with a traditional Japanese water basin arrangement featuring a 60 cm Tetsu bachi, upright bamboo spout, and ‘kneeling’ stones. Behind it stands a short section of Four-eye bamboo fence and a pre-owned Kitesage granite lantern. Around the basin, evergreen planting softens the scene;  groundcover Ophiopogon Kokuryu and Soleirolia soleirolii (‘Mind your own business’), Ferns, and Nandina domestica. Behind the lantern, the deciduous shrub Hydrangea Ophelia Switch produces delicate white blooms in spring, gradually changing colour to shades of pink as the season progresses.

From here, the slate mulch bed narrows making way for a ‘sea’ of silver-grey Zen gravel, edged in Corten steel. Three striking Tenshi standing stones rise from the raked gravel, their surroundings patterned with wave-like lines to evoke water meeting rock.

Curving behind the sea of gravel, a slate mulch bed incorporates blue-grey granite feature rocks and a continuation of evergreen planting. At its heart stand two focal specimens: a cloud-pruned tree and a tall red-leaf Japanese Acer.

The sea of gravel leads to a circular seating area paved in dark grey stone. Two silver-grey granite curved benches embrace a central fire bowl. Irregular stepping stones guide visitors to a secondary patio in the garden’s corner, made using composite decking, framed on two sides by panel walls with cedar-shingle roof detailing. A traditional Japanese gateway marks the formal entrance to this serene space.