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The tranquil gardens of Japan are celebrated around the globe for their style and beautiful colours and contrasts.
As we come towards spring, Japanese cherry blossom will be bursting out and attracting many visitors to the country.
Post in the comments section about how you’ve made changes to your garden to make it more like a garden in Japan? >>> Have you planted a cheery tree for the blossom?
Here are some simple tricks from Ken to turn your garden a little bit Japanese.
1: Include a water feature – and combine this by stones and gravels bordered by evergreens. The stones and gravel can be used to hide small
2: Plant cherry blossom trees – Ken says the Japanese have traditionally celebrated the noble blossom and they establish very fast, within 10 years.
3: Cloud pruning for conifers – Is something that can be done at home and the idea is to clip shapes resembling clouds. Nowadays you can pick-up evergreen plants that have been cloud pruned for an authentic Japanese look, but this can be expensive. Bonsai trees can also augment these features and are easier to look after.
Listen to the full programme for more on what gives Japanese gardens that unique style and design.
John Mason has been to visit Tokyo and then on to Kyoto during the cherry blossom season and reports on his journey to see the wonderful spring sights of Japan.
Ken says there is a real significance to how gravel is raked in a garden in Japan. He advises that anyone interested in this aspect of gardening from Japan should look at how this is carried out.
One example, as shown in the picture above, is to rake in circles to provide the illusion of ripples.
Ken talks to Reg Boulton from the Federation of British Bonsai Societies on the art of bonsai tree maintenance.
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