Zen Gardens - Simple Ideas - A Japanese Tradition

Zen Gardens represent so much of the Japanese heritage. I like to think of these wonderful gardens as a traditional custom of bringing a landscape back to nature. There are various different structures making up this wonderful Japanese landscape.

The essence of of the garden is a true sense of the union between mind and nature.

Bringing oneself back to natural surroundings by the use of rocks, boulders, bridges, pathways, water features, lanterns and fountains.

You can create your own Zen garden using any of these materials.

In a small yard years ago I came into my first contact with a front yard done in different boulder formations.

A small elderly Japanese woman taught me the first true lesson in understanding this wonderful natural beauty. Her shrubs were all evergreens and done in topiary form along with a few Bonsai.

There is an art to creating and taking care of Bonsai. This is a fantastic book that will walk you step by step in creating and caring for your own Bonsai.

She also showed me the correct way to prune and shape a topiary shrub. Here are some simple steps in doing a Zen garden. You can combine all the features or take a couple and create your own Japanese paradise.

Instead of showing you pictures of eloquent Japanese gardens, I would like to show you different aspects of creating your own.

One can develop this garden on any type of terrain. Doing a garden on a hillside or a flat area of land. The Japanese strive on asymmetrical design. The two main ingredients are earth and water.













Water can be created by a waterfall, decorative pond, or a stream. Read about a simple way to install your Zen ponds and water gardens. Take any size fountain or water feature and build the garden around plants and rocks. Your area doesn't have to be large. Rocks and boulders are used often in a triangle form. Think of the largest rock being at the point and a couple of smaller rocks at the ends to support the tall boulder.

A self contained garden is also popular in the Japanese tradition. A square formation with sand inside along with small stacked smooth stones.

Great option for you if you have a small area. You can make this self contained garden with railroad ties or pressured treated lumber.



A pagoda is a popular feature in a Japanese Zen garden. Many times the gardener will surround the padoga with rocks, water, sand, or stones. A great look for tradition and tranquility.

Stepping stones today are used in a variety of different theme base landscapes. I love the look of these stepping stones placed throughout grass. A wonderful natural look and feel.

Any size rocks can be used to give the appearance of the triangle. Take a look at these pictures below and see some different shapes and also how the boulders balance each other. These are definitely bigger then you would use, but I wanted you to see the different shapes.