Japanese Gardens Design and appreciation of Japanese gardens. Also, outdoor Japanese gardening techniques. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:12:05 +0000 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:12:05 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/japanese-gardens.235/ Rocks for Bonsai Sun, 16 Jul 2023 01:48:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rocks-for-bonsai.103487/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rocks-for-bonsai.103487/ invalid@example.com (AmphioxusCoreData) AmphioxusCoreData Japanese Alpines Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:00:53 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-alpines.102954/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-alpines.102954/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot 4 10 years, 4 tiers: Man designs and builds backyard garden. Thu, 25 Nov 2021 03:35:47 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/10-years-4-tiers-man-designs-and-builds-backyard-garden.100846/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/10-years-4-tiers-man-designs-and-builds-backyard-garden.100846/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 Martin began the hard work of designing, and building, all of the garden and its features himself in 2009.

Today the results speak for themselves, with visitors blown away by his work and even Martin himself is often taken aback when seeing how far it has come.

“I don't mind though, I love it out there, it's my life - being out there in the garden.”

Beautiful, inspiring combination of creativity and diligent work....

10 years, 4 tiers: Man designs and builds backyard garden.]]> 3 Could be the greatest books ever written on Japanese Gardens Mon, 09 Aug 2021 01:49:38 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/could-be-the-greatest-books-ever-written-on-japanese-gardens.81838/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/could-be-the-greatest-books-ever-written-on-japanese-gardens.81838/ invalid@example.com (JT1) JT1
Could be the greatest books ever written on Japanese Gardens]]> 1 Japanese Garden in the North Shuswap. Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:28:39 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-garden-in-the-north-shuswap.100791/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-garden-in-the-north-shuswap.100791/ invalid@example.com (Keith Elliott) Keith Elliott
The section of the property where this little garden will be set has very little character, so I will just have to make do with what's there.

The original plan was to have a pond complete with recirculating stream, but...

Japanese Garden in the North Shuswap.]]> 18 Small bridge. Tue, 01 Jun 2021 12:17:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-bridge.100559/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-bridge.100559/ invalid@example.com (Keith Elliott) Keith Elliott
As a brief preamble, I unfortunately lost everything on my laptop, which contained a few thousand photos from that time, due to corrosion. I've tried all sorts of things to try and bring the photos to life by any nefarious means I can think of, but all to no avail.

I do have quite a few books on the gardens of Japan and all the related subjects, and if my memory serves me, this little...

Small bridge.]]> 23 My Japanese garden from the past. Sat, 22 May 2021 09:19:37 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-japanese-garden-from-the-past.100560/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-japanese-garden-from-the-past.100560/ invalid@example.com (Keith Elliott) Keith Elliott
I started with an untouched lot on the waterfront which faced south west, about as ideal as you could get for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the incredible sunsets..

So here I will try and show you some of the progress that was made during those years once I had a cabin built to keep the rain off my head!

I...

My Japanese garden from the past.]]> 31 My little corners of Japanese influence in my garden Mon, 19 Apr 2021 08:16:11 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-little-corners-of-japanese-influence-in-my-garden.97712/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-little-corners-of-japanese-influence-in-my-garden.97712/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic We all need some stress free places during these difficult times.
Hope you all like it.]]> 38 Little composition Mon, 05 Apr 2021 19:42:54 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/little-composition.99967/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/little-composition.99967/ invalid@example.com (Shin-Deshojo) Shin-Deshojo
It could suit a japanese garden Imo.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as i had doing it.

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View attachment 197868]]> 17 Water, lantern and Emerald lace Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:03:48 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/water-lantern-and-emerald-lace.99836/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/water-lantern-and-emerald-lace.99836/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic View attachment 196922]]> A little lantern in the snow Sun, 24 Jan 2021 18:08:45 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-little-lantern-in-the-snow.99765/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-little-lantern-in-the-snow.99765/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic View attachment 196589]]> Chinese gardens in late fall Wed, 26 Aug 2020 21:35:36 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chinese-gardens-in-late-fall.98137/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chinese-gardens-in-late-fall.98137/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 11 Any tips on improving a garden bed to look more like a "Japanese Garden". Sat, 01 Aug 2020 06:45:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/any-tips-on-improving-a-garden-bed-to-look-more-like-a-japanese-garden.98578/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/any-tips-on-improving-a-garden-bed-to-look-more-like-a-japanese-garden.98578/ invalid@example.com (vbx) vbx
So far I have 3 maples placed in a straight line. That might be problem 1. Doesn't look "natural" as tree don't grow like this in nature.

Maybe I can add some boulders and some complimentary plants?

View attachment 184912 View attachment 184913]]> 5 And our yard... with influences from Japanese and Chinese gardens Mon, 15 Jun 2020 12:15:19 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/and-our-yard-with-influences-from-japanese-and-chinese-gardens.98138/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/and-our-yard-with-influences-from-japanese-and-chinese-gardens.98138/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 9 Japanese gardens in late spring Mon, 15 Jun 2020 11:41:12 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-gardens-in-late-spring.98136/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-gardens-in-late-spring.98136/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 7 What makes a Garden a "Japanese Garden" Sat, 16 May 2020 14:44:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-makes-a-garden-a-japanese-garden.46480/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-makes-a-garden-a-japanese-garden.46480/ invalid@example.com (winterhaven) winterhaven
For me, I'm attracted to some principles of Japanese Garden design, but not so much the traditional ornaments. So when is a garden a "Japanese Garden"?

I wrote in the other thread:
I recently read Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens and it really got me thinking about how to apply...

What makes a Garden a "Japanese Garden"]]> 16 My Arch Japanese Garden bridge Building Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:19:20 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-arch-japanese-garden-bridge-building.81394/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-arch-japanese-garden-bridge-building.81394/ invalid@example.com (jardinier) jardinier
In the summer 2012, I plan to build a wooden arch japanese bridge.

22 feet long to cross my stream.

The creek separates my land by 200 feet long. Around its banks to reach the other side of the creek was not practical.

I did not find anything on the internet to help me. So I share my project with you.

---> My Japanese Bridge, building pictures]]> 5 Japanese Garden Dictionary Sat, 13 Jul 2019 13:05:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-garden-dictionary.95909/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-garden-dictionary.95909/ invalid@example.com (JT1) JT1
English Index -- Japanese Garden Dictionary

Tip: Copy/paste (or right click search) the Kanji/kana into search engine, search images, to see examples of each or get...

Japanese Garden Dictionary]]> Mirei Shigemori : Modernizing the Japanese garden Fri, 12 Jul 2019 04:45:54 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mirei-shigemori-modernizing-the-japanese-garden.95881/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mirei-shigemori-modernizing-the-japanese-garden.95881/ invalid@example.com (JT1) JT1 Mirei Shigemori : Modernizing the Japanese garden

Doctorial Thesis By: Tschumi, Christian
Published: 2004

Some of the best material written on the great garden master Mirei Shigemori is in Japanese. This thesis or monograph is the most complete and in-depth analysis of Mirei Shigemori's life, works, and gardens. The author had access to Shigemori's never seen before sketches, research papers, personal journals, garden plans, receipts from original garden...

Mirei Shigemori : Modernizing the Japanese garden]]> 1 Japanese Gardens resource discussion thread Sun, 16 Jun 2019 01:19:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-gardens-resource-discussion-thread.91125/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/japanese-gardens-resource-discussion-thread.91125/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Japanese Gardens

Links to online and print information about Japanese gardens and gardening. Thanks to user @JT1 for some of the suggestions that I have included. Full descriptions of the recommendations are in postings
Japanese Garden...

Japanese Gardens resource discussion thread]]> 19 new major book on Japanese Gardening Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:40:46 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-major-book-on-japanese-gardening.55317/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-major-book-on-japanese-gardening.55317/ invalid@example.com (janetdoyle) janetdoyle A Practical Guide to Japanese Gardening: From Design Options and Materials to Planting Techniques and Decorative Features --by Charles Chesshire (Author), Alex Ramsay (Photographer)

is finally available, according to Amazon.ca, and my order is arriving within a week or so apparently. Has anyone else ordered this book and if so, what do you think of it? I noticed it as scheduled for publication about a year or more ago -- it did not become available in Canada until recently....

new major book on Japanese Gardening]]> 7 My new Japanese styled garden Mon, 01 Apr 2019 17:47:11 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-new-japanese-styled-garden.37560/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-new-japanese-styled-garden.37560/ invalid@example.com (Coastal) Coastal
My new Japanese styled garden]]> 48 Junipers to give away Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:33:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/junipers-to-give-away.94279/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/junipers-to-give-away.94279/ invalid@example.com (Emmaji) Emmaji West point grey/ Dunbar area.]]> 8 Ryoan-ji , rock garden in Kyoto. Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:16:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/ryoan-ji-rock-garden-in-kyoto.91147/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/ryoan-ji-rock-garden-in-kyoto.91147/ invalid@example.com (opusoculi) opusoculi Returning from a court travel to Japan, Emery opened “Ryoan-ji in Kyoto” in the forum “Maples": Appreciation: - ryoan-ji in Kyoto.

Here is a complement concerning the dry or rock garden (karesansui).
I visited Ryoan-ji gardens in July 1997 and in November 2009. With my point of view , as artist, I inform you of my impressions. Without referring to the history of this dry...

Ryoan-ji , rock garden in Kyoto.]]> 2 Vancouver: article and Japanese gardens tour Wed, 09 Sep 2015 03:53:12 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/vancouver-article-and-japanese-gardens-tour.86946/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/vancouver-article-and-japanese-gardens-tour.86946/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Garden+Serenely+Japanese+Vancouver/11254939/story.html.

Writing about the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association, he writes:
Vancouver: article and Japanese gardens tour]]> 5