Frequently asked questions

■ What are the different types of Japanese garden?

Karesansui – The rock, dry or Zen garden features sand and gravel that has been raked to symbolise flowing water. Rocks are positioned to represent mountains and islands. There are few, if any, plants.

Tsukiyama – The hill or pond garden recreates natural scenery on a smaller scale with man-made mounds, streams and winding paths.

Chaniwa – The tea garden has a tea house at the centre with stepping stone paths leading to it. Stone basins and stone lanterns are key elements.

Kaiyushiki-teien – The stroll garden is a large-scale garden that features a pond, islands, rocks and hills.

Tsuboniwa – The courtyard garden takes elements from the designs above and distils them into a much smaller space,

■ What are three essential elements of Japanese garden design? BRINGING the beauty of nature into daily life is fundamental to Japanese garden design and to achieve this certain elements are included. Stones bring structure to a design, and these can be used to represent mountains. Water provides a soothing element and can be a stream, pond or a simple water bowl. A sense of enclosure is important, whether that’s from buildings, fences or hedges, as this helps to define the space.

■ What is the most important plant to indicate Japanese style? JAPANESE maples, Acer palmatum, are quintessential Japanese garden plants with their elegant structures and graceful canopies of slender branches and delicate leaves that produce a colourful display of autumn colours.

There are numerous cultivars to choose from with plenty that are suitable for small gardens and even container growing.

Primula japonica ‘Miller’s Crimson’ AGM For punchy colour grow this primula, which forms rosettes of crinkly, apple-green leaves at the base and sturdy stems topped with candelabra-like whorls of crimson flowers with black centres in early summer. It needs moist, acid to neutral soil and is ideal for a bog garden. H&S: 18in (45cm).

The tsuboniwa style is a courtyard that combines many elements of a Japanese garden the sort of space often found between buildings that would otherwise be neglected. This garden style is particularly suited to modern gardens where space is limited.

Stones and water are key elements

Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’