A Japanese-Inspired Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)

A pair of world travelers with a deep love of Japan asked JMMDS to design a Japanese-inspired landscape that would complement the contemporary renovation of their home in Edinburgh, Scotland. JMMDS created a plan that included a handsome cut-stone patio, meandering stepping stone paths, sweeping bed lines, stony mounds, a grassy pool of space, and swaths of elegant plantings. JMMDS was on site during the installation to craft the mounds and place the plants and stones. Julie Moir Messervy set out the ancient pieces of gneiss from Scotland’s Isle of Lewis. With the planting design, JMMDS sought to evoke the feeling of a traditional Japanese garden using locally suitable plants. The designers and clients visited nurseries in search of distinctive plant specimens, including cloud-pruned hollies, craggy pines, Japanese maples of varied color and habit, and a particularly notable Japanese snowbell tree. Beneath these, they laid drifts of sedges, hellebores, European gingers, ferns, and Solomon’s Seal. Evergreen azaleas, juniper, rhododendrons, and hebe were clustered around the lawn. JMMDS placed bamboos within root-controlled patio beds and planted mondo grass, sedums, and mosses among the stepping stones. Project designers: Julie Moir Messervy, Principal; Erica Bowman, Senior Landscape Architect Collaborators: Helen Lucas Architects, Steven Ogilvie (garden installers) Photography: Angus Bremner

Bayside Zen Garden | Bayside, WI

LandCrafters, LLC

The Tea House is a very special place. Draped by the existing mature willow it feels like it has always been here. The Natusume basin to the right is for purification prior to the tea ceremony. The vertical rock was placed to the left to help frame the traditional entrance to the Tea House.

Landscape

Twin Oaks Lawn and Landscape, Inc.

This beautiful Asian inspired oasis is the perfect place to relax!

Contemporary by the Lake with a Japanese Feel

Zone4 Landscapes Ltd.

Japanese Modern

Sacred Space Garden Design Inc

East Hampton Koi Pond

AH Ponds, Inc.

Druid Hills Atlanta Meditation Garden

Plants Creative Landscapes

Homeowner wanted a space for meditating. The white gravel is calming and represents water. Knox lighting core drilled into bluestone patio highlights the view of the space from her living room.

Balinese Style Garden Design

Space Landscape Designs

Organic pathway to a decking and spa area in this Balinese influenced garden design

Classical Japanese Meets American Techno-Luxe

User

Asian Fusion

Sander Design Landscape Architecture

John Loper

Michael Glassman Designs

Michael Glassman & Associates

Frederic Francis

Francis Landscapes

Japanese-Inspired Garden

Holmes Fine Gardens

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

Richmond Asian Garden

Northwest Native Landscapes LLC

This compact, urban backyard was in desperate need of privacy. We created a series of outdoor rooms, privacy screens, and lush plantings all with an Asian-inspired design sense. Elements include a covered outdoor lounge room, sun decks, rock gardens, shade garden, evergreen plant screens, and raised boardwalk to connect the various outdoor spaces. The finished space feels like a true backyard oasis.

Meditation Garden

Derviss Design

stone detail

Garell

David Hertz & Studio of Environmental Architecture

Bayside Zen Garden | Bayside, WI

LandCrafters, LLC

An arched wood bridge over a dry stream leads you to the Tea House. Barren Strawberry is the groundcover in the foreground.

Modern Garden Design, La Jolla

Singing Gardens

Beki Dawn Photography

Contemporary by the Lake with a Japanese Feel

Zone4 Landscapes Ltd.

East Village Zen Garden

Brent Riechers Landscape (BRL LANDesign)

Brent A. Riechers

Asian Backyard Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Asian Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own Asian garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create an Asian Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes an Asian garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for an Asian garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your Asian garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.