Modern Japanese Garden, Kent
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- Dimensions: 90m2
- Build time: 2 weeks
To the front of the house we created small planting beds to frame the front of the house and break up the view of hard paving. Blue grey granite feature rocks in a bed of Scottish cobbles with evergreen planting consisting of pieris japonica, bloombux rhododendrons and a low spreading cotoneaster, amongst other plants.
The near garden we laid mostly to lawn. Curved beds frame the garden which are retained with granite palisade edging and granite setts as the height of the bed reduces. The beds are filled with blue grey granite rockery stone, evergreen low spreading planting and evergreen shrubs. Red and green leaf Acers provide height and a colour contrast to the fence behind. A 150cm Kasuga granite lantern sits proudly in a corner of the bed which is top dressed with Scottish cobbles.
Near the house is a 90cm shallow basin with a horizontal bamboo spout. The basin is a corten steel bowl which has been powder coated for a modern twist for a Japanese water basin arrangement. This water feature can be seen from within the house and creates a quiet, tranquil sound heard when sat on the patio. The water feature is surrounded by 6mm silver grey zen gravel. The rear of the spout is partially hidden by low evergreen planting. On the other side of the patio is a small silver grey zen gravel bed with a 3 stone Tenshi standing stone grouping which is underplanted with evergreen shrubs.
Japanese Garden, Guildford
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- Dimensions: 360m2
- Build time: 10 weeks
This project was part of a new build which meant we were able to start with a complete blank canvas. Following the client’s brief we started with creating a pond which is one of the main focal points within the garden. At the far end of the garden a 9m stream flows into the pond. The stream was built into the raised bank alongside evergreen Japanese planting. The raised beds are retained with silver grey palisades and topped with bark chippings. A granite arched bridge crosses over the stream, leading to a stepping stone pathway that takes you across the pond and to a large covered seating area. The stepping stone pathway is set into a bed of silver grey zen gravel with a variety of planting including low ground spreading mind your own business underneath a specimen pittosporum tree. Along side the pathway are tall granite guide lights that provide ambient lighting across the path in the evenings.
The Japanese stream is made up from blue grey granite rockery stone and this stone is also featured throughout the garden creating bold standing stone arrangements in and around Japanese planting.
Japanese Stream
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- Dimensions: 110m2
- Build time: 2 weeks
Connecting the Japanese garden to the rest of the lawn garden is a natural slate bridge across a stream. The central focus of this garden is a 4m long Japanese stream, surrounded by various evergreen shrubs, including sedum ground cover, bloombux and pittosporum. At the end of the stream is a small cobbled beach with a Misaki granite lantern. Tobi-ishi stepping stones lead to a paved area suitable for a bench to be placed. Feature rocks include blue grey granite and purple slate standing stone arrangements in a bed of 14mm silver grey zen granite. The majority of plants used in this garden are evergreen, providing the garden with stability and interest throughout the year. Low growing plants included ferns and ophiopogon nigrens. Choysia provide a subtle scent while pieris japonica and bloombux rhododendrons flower in summer. Adding height to the garden, a cherry and bamboo fargesia were planted alongside Japanese Acers. Acers provide contrasting colours and dramatic autumnal colours before the leaves drop in winter.
Japanese Walled Garden
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- Dimensions: 120m2
- Build time: 7 weeks
Entering through a traditional Japanese gateway a flat granite bridge and stepping stone pathway lead you through the garden, with seas of gravel and planted islands either side. To the rear to the garden are two seated areas; one with a fire pit and circular seating, and an alternative natural stone bench in front of facade tea house. A specimen chamaecyparis cloud tree and 3 Tenshi stone grouping separate the two seating areas.
Providing the tranquil sound of running water is a 90cm shallow granite basin with a horizontal bamboo spout. A large 90cm Kodai Maru Yukimi granite lantern was also featured in the garden.
Wooden fences were replaced with traditional Japanese wall panelling with cedar shingle roof. A decorative shoji window was installed on the wall.
The planting scheme was mostly devised using evergreen plants that provide interest and structure to the garden throughout the year. Rhododendron Bloombux were planted in groups throughout the garden, displaying an abundance of pink flowers in June. Both red and green variety Japanese Acers were planted to provide vibrant colours in spring and summer with dramatic autumn colours.
