Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
East meets west
Discover colourful Japanese plants that have stood the test of time
Their perfect purple panicles are a spring highlight, so don’t sell yourself short. The panicles of Chinese wisteria (W. sinensis) are bunchy and short, while Japan’s (W. floribunda, pictured) can hang down a metre or more.
Climate Sub-tropical, warm and cold.
Aspect Full sun.
Soil Rich, well-drained.
Flowering time Spring.
Water During long periods of dry.
Food In spring with controlled-release fertiliser.
Care Prune for shape when flowers fade, and in autumn.
TIP Drape it over a tall pagoda or run it along a wall. With pruning and support it can be trained as a stunning specimen tree.
1 JAPANESE WISTERIA
So many of our gardens take inspiration from traditional European designs, but few of us realise how many of their beautiful bloomers and fabulous foliages come from Japan. From spring wisps of wisteria to late summer’s starry chrysanthemum and winter’s glowing camellia, they seem so quintessentially English. Yet Japan’s diverse topography means a wide variety of its plants also flourish in our Australian gardens.
Japan has produced plants that thrive in hot and humid summers, others that go well in dry regions, some with shady tendencies and still more that require extreme cold – even snowfall – to encourage their winter dormancy. Occidental (Western) is, in fact, accidentally oriental.
2 JAPANESE IRIS
Because it’s very fond of a drink, plant this flowering extravaganza in, or around, ponds or in boggy soil.
Climate Cool to tropical. Aspect Full sun to part shade.
Soil Highly acidic, very moist.
Flowering time Late spring, summer.
Water Keep soil moist. Food Slow-release fertiliser in early spring.
Care Trim faded flowers to encourage a second bloom and cut back foliage in winter.
TIP Grow in a pot and put in a pond from spring to autumn, then remove in winter to allow growing medium to dry out.
3 HYDRANGEA
During Japan’s early summer rainy season, the big, glistening leaves are as much a highlight as the flowers.
Climate Cool to temperate.
Aspect Semi-shade.
Soil Fertile and well-drained.
Flowering time Summer.
Water A good soak at least once a week during flowering.
Food In spring and summer.
Care Prune in spring in cold climates, in winter where it’s mild. Cut old bushes to the ground.
TIP Acidic soil produces blue flowers, alkaline makes pink or red. Lier lime in your soil in spring for pink blooms, or sulphur for blue.
4 HAKONE GRASS
The summer colours of this arching, eye-catching ornamental grass range from solid green to bluish to gold blasts, with variegations in between, before they turn copper-orange in autumn.
Climate Temperate.
Aspect Shade.
Soil Fertile, well-drained.
Flowering time Mid-summer but, while they’re delicate and prey, they’re tiny.
Water Keep soil moist.
Food Late spring.
Care Prune to the ground in late winter and divide rhizomes in spring.
TIP Use as an accent plant or to soen paths.
It looks stunning mass planted under trees.
JAPANESE PLANTS OFFER CHARM AND DRAMA IN ALL SEASONS
5 JAPANESE MAPLE
Take your pick of autumn foliage drama – green to orange, red or purple – they’re all captivating.
Climate Cool to mild.
Aspect Part-sun.
Soil Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic.
Flowering time Spring, but insignificant.
Water Keep soil moist.
Food Low-nitrogen fertiliser in spring.
Care Mulch to protect from extreme heat or cold and to retain moisture.
TIP You can grow these in pots, but it’s best you opt for a dwarf variety.
6 CAMELLIA
Chinese camellia
(C. sasanqua) is wonderful for hedges, but C. Japonica has the absolute standout flowers.
Climate Temperate.
Aspect Morning sun, aernoon shade.
Soil Rich, light loam, slightly acidic.
Flowering time Late winter.
Water Keep soil moist.
Food Liquid fertiliser in autumn.
Care Shelter from wind and western sun.
TIP The flowers fall still intact, so put them in a bowl of water or bird bath for a few days.
7 NANDINA
For colour even in shade – from peach to pink to plum to glowing purple red – this is the carefree plant you want in winter when lile else is going on.
Climate Cool to tropical.
Aspect Full sun to shade.
Soil Moist or well-drained.
Flowering time Summer, with gorgeous red berries in winter.
Water During long dry periods.
Food Spring and autumn.
Care Protect from cold winds.
TIP Plant in full sun to get the best foliage colour.
8, 9 CHRYSANTHEMUM
This is plant royalty – Japan’s monarchy is known as the Chrysanthemum Throne. With many forms and colours, it looks dynamite in any garden.
Climate Cool to mild.
Aspect Sunny.
Soil Well drained.
Flowering time Autumn.
Water Keep soil moist.
Food Liquid fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during flowering.
Care Cut back aer flowering.
TIP Oen bought in pots, they will last indoors for a few weeks. Aer flowering, cut stems to about 15cm and plant in your garden.
HAVE A JAPANESE GARDEN THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A GARDEN FROM JAPAN! 10 CHERRY
An ornamental cherry is the most exquisite symbol of spring – and worth your own private festival to celebrate the season of new life!
Climate Cool.
Aspect Full sun to part shade.
Soil Well drained.
Flowering time Spring.
Water Keep soil moist aer planting, until established.
Food Late winter and summer.
Care Prune in autumn to improve air circulation.
TIP Some can grow to 20m, but the beautiful, weeping ‘Pendula’ limits its growth to 3m.
11 HOSTA
Hostas are your shady garden’s best friend. Their magnificent leaves not only fill a difficult spot, they also come in a multitude of colours – from blue green to yellow – and fascinating variegations.
Climate Cool to temperate.
Aspect Shade.
Soil Rich, well-drained.
Flowering time Summer.
Water Very oen.
Food Fertilise in spring.
Care Cut back foliage when it starts to lose its colour.
TIP Hostas’ love of moisture means they aract slugs and snails – use a pet-safe bait.
12 AZALEA
The vibrant pink, mauve, orange and yellow flowers go pop against grey winter skies.
Climate Cool, Mediterranean, tropical.
Aspect Dappled shade.
Soil Well-drained, slightly acidic.
Flowering time Winter, spring.
Water Keep soil moist but not too wet.
Food Fertilise in spring aer flowers have finished.
Care Keep watch for sap-sucking insects.
TIP Mass plant for real effect.