Recommended List Of Aquatic Pond Plants & Other Plants For Japanese garden Effect

Traditionally, the most important plants are the plants that mark the seasons, particularly spring and autumn. For spring there are the cherries and the azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. If you have a small garden go for the small growing varieties that stay neat and hummocky. If you have a soil with a high pH that cannot support theses acid loving plants, the leaf and shape of the plants can be capture with pruned Box and Privet. In autumn you have the Acers, the Japanese maples with their stunning leaf colours.

Other shrubs can include Pieris, bamboos of course, Osmanthus, berberis thunbergia and Euonymus elatus. Forget the lawn, use moss dotted with ferns of all kinds.

In water use iris kaempferi (Japanese Iris), Sagittaria trifolia (Kuwai) and any horticultural forms of Water Lily.

On the poolside: Astilbes, Acorus gramineus, Equisetum (Horsetail reed), Iris laevigata, Ligularia, Petasites japonicus and Primula to name a selection.

As for ornaments, many garden centres that deal with hard landscaping materials carry a selection. The most popular in this country in stone are the lanterns, but the water spouts and deer scarers in bamboo are very popular water features. Every object has its symbolic significance and perhaps the most important of these is the container of water like the Bachi at which you must cleanse yourself before entering the teahouse. My favourites are the forms of crossing water, lthe zigzag bridges or the stepping-stones over which bad spirits cannot follow you.

For really knowledgeable expertise and help contact the Japanese Garden Society, c/o Mrs Kira Dalton, Groves Mill, Shakers Lane, Long Itchington, Warwickshire.

Peter J May has produced a useful list of aquatic and other garden and pond plants for special situations especially the Japanese themed water garden.

The Norfolk reed (Phragmites australis) is by far the best since it not only removes pollutants but is capable of adding oxygen to the water ... ie it is an oxygenator plant too. Oxygenators are generally those plants whose leaves are always submerged so that oxygen from the photosynthesis process has a chance to dissolve before being lost to the atmosphere.

Other useful plants are generally in the fast growing class so that maximum biomass is created in the quickest possible time. Consider the following ...

  • Sweet Galingale (Cyperus longus)
  • Soft Rush (Juncus effusus)
  • True Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris)
  • Flowering Rush (Butomus umbrellatus)
  • Water cress has also often been used

Plants For Japanese Effects Around Ponds

For the Japanese garden in rockery areas ... Pruned evergreens (preferably slow growing to create form and shape)

  • Dwarf Azealas
  • Dwarf Rhododendrons
  • Small Camalias
  • Moss

Japanese rockery Plants

The Japanese favour slow growing pruned evergreens for rockery/rock areas, things like various types of box, dwarf azaleas and small camellias. Form is more important than the flower. It is us westerners that indulge in florrid flamboyance. Trees that show the ravages of time like the red Pine (Pinus densiflora), the Black Pine (Pinus thunbergi. Japanese acers never look out of place even on a bank particularly the Acer dissectum varieties. Next to water they love to weep down to their reflection creating a spectacular effect. Visit Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire or Holland Park in central London to see two of the best British Japanese gardens.

For the Japanese garden in general use

  • Red Pine (Pinus densiflora)
  • Black Pine (Pinus thunbergi)
  • Acer dissectum species
  • Cherry Blossom (Prunus x yeodensis)
  • Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume)
  • Maples
  • Bamboos
  • Japanese Crab Apple (Malus x zumi)
  • Wedding Cake Tree (Viburnum plicatum Maresii)
  • Cotoneasters
  • Chaenomeles
  • Fatsias
  • Kerria
  • Magnolias
  • Loniceras
  • Spiraeas

For the Japanese garden around the pond perennials

  • Japanese Irises
  • Hostas
  • peonies
  • Hemerocallis
  • Polygonums

Plants NOT to use around a pond ... toxic leaves and other reasons

  • Oaks
  • Laburnum
  • Yew
  • Elder
  • Oleander

Do not plant deciduous trees (especially willows) in general because of the mess in autumn if for no other reason

Peter May's site

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