HelpfulGardener.com

Not much chatter yet, so I'll be asking all my gardening buds to join us here. If you know anyone who loves Japanese garden style, let them know about us as we want a healthy and vibrant talk on the subject. The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask...

what kinds of features constitute Japanese gardening? I 'd like to have a small Japanese style oasis in the center of my back yard. How can I achieve this?

PL

I've got a little reading for you to do...

[url]https://www.helpfulgardener.com/japanese/index.html[/url]

Finish those and if you still have questions, we'll talk...

Scott

OK, so somebody does read your old posts. I read what the link lead me to read--still have questions. I have a problem site--sandwiched between house and back deck stairs, 3'x8'-ish, noon sun 'til about 4:00pm, when the stairs start to shade the site. Smack down the middle is the dripline from the roof, 3 stories up. Bed is pure sand, half-way to Japan, I think. House is to N and E, ends at walk-out basement doors and cement patio. Drainage is good, except for the "golly-washers", so I want to re-direct the excess away from the doors. We can thank the builders for this little conundrum. I envision a layer of decorative gravel for a base, and medium-sized decorative stones at the walls and S end to direct water away from foundation. The sand can be graded slightly to accomodate the drainage, but a sluice forms from the dripline, which is why I want to put some gravel down on top of the sand, so the water breaks up. Or should I just plant a hunk of bamboo, since the thing is surrounded by concrete on the other two sides? (Not serious about that last item.) The gravel would also keep the sand from splashing up on the siding, right? I don't know of any living plants that would survive, let alone thrive in these conditions (zone 4b, btw); so it may end up being a Zen garden with stones and perhaps a statue or ornament? Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Happy Gardening

Don't rule out the bamboo, although I doubt we are thinking the same one. Pleioblastis would be a great filler; it's a ground cover bamboo that wouldn't run under concrete for more than a foot or so, so it would fill the spot and no more...Pop a rock or two in amongst to add contrast; less maintenence

If you are still married to the Japanese stone look I'd go with black pebbles (called Mexican beach stone around here); very Japanese, add a fern or two and three larger rocks and you have a garden...

HG

Are you saying to plant the ferns in sand?! The sand will be re-graded to correct drainage from the dripline 3 stories up; and gravel on top of that. Or, would the fern be in a separate pot w/soil, sunk up to the rim and covered w/same colour gravel? I was thinking (I know, gets me in trouble) of two or three large, interesting rocks or driftwood, and perhaps a sundial (simple, not armory-style). We would create a "river" of contrasting gravel in a slightly curved form that would include the total area of the dripline. Yes? No? Maybe? I appreciate your thoughts.

Happy Gardening.

Japanese painted fern would need some soil amendment for sure, but those water retention crystals and a little peat and humus would take care of that. I wouldn't use the fallen log (not very Japanese, although I like and use that look in other designs; just being a purist...) Driplines are often done in pure stone in Japan, with maybe a set stone or two to keep interest; perhaps simple is best, neh?

HG