No garden design is complete without hardscaping, and with so many options for arranging stones and sculptures, making decisions about it is a delightful challenge. For inspiration, look to Japanese traditions. Their harmonious gardening philosophies could be just what your garden needs. 

4 Beautiful Japanese Hardscaping Concepts 

1. Encourage Openness 

While growing a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers can be visually stunning, open space allows you to highlight focal points. Set aside an area in your garden to create a space consisting only or mostly of gravel or sand, separated from everything else by a perimeter of stone or concrete.

You can also draw patterns in the gravel or sand with a rake, so it looks like peacefully rippling water, which will make a small tree or flower bed in the middle stand out.

2. Incorporate Stones

The juxtaposition of stone and greenery offers textural and color contrast. Set up stepping stone walkways that visitors should follow while dotting the surrounding landscape with a few stone lanterns, statues, water basins, or fountains. The soothing sound of running water will further promote a tranquil atmosphere.

3. Appreciate Patina 

Although most people don’t plan for patina in their garden designs, it’s a sign of age worthy of respect in Japanese gardening. If you include any of the aforementioned stone elements, allow them to grow moss and lichen as an aesthetic tribute to longevity, so long as they don’t become too slippery for walking. 

4. Add Gates 

If your garden is large enough, consider building gates, preferably made from bamboo or a similarly simple wood. Place them to distinguish themed areas of the garden. Each time a visitor passes through a gate, they’ll feel like they’re discovering something new. 

 
If you’re looking for Japanese garden design elements, visit Big Rock Fabricator. Based in Honolulu, HI, their high-quality stone, lava, and Japanese landscaping products have beautified gardens throughout the islands and around the world since 1983. They offer ready-made products that you can take home today as well as customization services if you’re looking for specific designs. For details, call them at (808) 834-7625, or check out their inventory online.