The Five Elements of a Japanese Garden

Tokyo Tower: Godzilla's favourite target

Japanese gardens appear to be simpler than your average English Perennial Border.  Of course, there isn't a lot of room in Japan, where the perennial border requires a lot of space.  Now, you might be looking at a map, and thinking that Japan and the UK seem to be about the same size, or you might be looking at numbers, and thinking that Japan is actually larger, so what am I talking about?  The fact is, however, that much of Japan (about 80%) is taken up by mountains, and the space that is actually habitable is much smaller. 

Another aspect of Japanese gardens is the lines.  The lines of the plants and even the ground (think: Zen Garden) are very defined, and ususally perpendicular.  Simple, yet striking.

In a true Japanese garden, there are always five elements that represent ... well, the five elements.

Water


A nice, soothing waterfall

The element of water is represented by flowing water, ususally a waterfall.  In a traditional garden, the landscape must feel as natural as possible, therefore fountains are a rairity.

Practically, if you are going to add a water feature, it is necessary that you keep it moving.  Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitos, potentially exacerbating diseases such as West Nile Virus.

Additionally, the sound of water is soothing, and a nice addition to any landscape, or area of leisure.

Earth

Earth is represented by relatively large stones, arraged around the landscape.  Again, the object is to look natural, although interesting rock formations have been known to happen in nature. 



Earth and Fire



Rocks can be used as natural margins or benches, especially in conjuction with a pond.  Trailing plants can be used to great effect, and alpine plants blend in naturally with the landscape.

In drier places, landscapers are opting to create rockier designs to minimize turf, and lessen the need for irrigation.  However, rocks will retain the heat better than the soil, helping the water to evaporate.  A point of balance must be struck.



Stone Lanterns at a Shrine



Fire



A stone lantern represents the element of fire.  At night, the lantern may be lit, providing light to the landscape.  A single lantern is all that is necessary for a garden, although many lanterns can have an interesting effect.

If you are apprensive about having lit lanterns in your backyard, there are products available that can be lit artificially. (Disclaimer: it is just a website I found by Google.  I do not endorse it, nor am I getting any money to link to it.)

Sky

Funnily enough, the sky is also represented by water.  Specifically a pond, which reflects the sky above it.  Combined with the waterfall, this can make for a nice water feature in any landscape. 

Wind

Finally, we come to wind.  Wind is represented by the black pine, another symbol that might have you thinking 'What?'  Well, it is hard to showcase something that is invisible, but the wind blows through the needles of the black pine, giving away its presence. 



Artistically Uneven



Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) grows in USDA zones 6-8.  Needle burn will occur at -23°C, meaning that this is not a plant that will thrive (or even, you know, live) in Canada.  In fact, the plant is loved for its salt tolerance in the coastal United States, but lately it has been tormented by pests.  Dirr describes the habit as 'artistically uneven', which is the effect needed for the landscape.  In warmer parts of Canada (like Ontario) the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) may be substituted.  In colder areas Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) might do.

Anything Else?

Of course, there are other things that we might associate with such a garden.  March to April is the time of the 'Sakura' or Cherry Blossoms, the subject of many festivals.  June, the rainy season, is also when the irises grow.  Bamboo is an interesting staple, although again, the hardiness of that plant in Canada leaves a lot to be desired.  Then, there is water feature prevalent in the gardens of the wealthy, according to many different media: the shishi-odoshi or "the thing that goes doink". (Disclaimer: the preceding link may ruin your life.)