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Japanese gardens are popular for many reasons, not least the tranquility, harmony and beauty associated with them. These qualities can be applied to any yard in a myriad of ways.
If you are keen to emulate some Japanese garden ideas in your own backyard, the easiest place to start is with some new tree plantings. Of course your hardiness zone will have a bearing on what you can grow, but there are many beautiful trees to choose from.
Even some of the less hardy species, such as beautiful Japanese maples, can be grown in pots and containers – and sheltered over winter if they cant be grown in the ground in your region. There are hardy native alternatives too. Discover seven of the best trees for a Japanese garden, according to expert landscapers and Japanese garden designers.
Japanese gardens are renowned for their peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. The graceful trees play a major role in creating this zen-like ambience. From their textured foliage to gently swaying branches, the trees seem to emanate a quiet calm.
I love Japanese-style gardens and have spent time researching the trees that can transform a regular landscape into a serene retreat Here are 15 of my top recommendations for creating your own Japanese garden oasis
1. Japanese Maple
The delicate leaves of Japanese maples come in a wide range of shapes and colors. Their branching form creates a layered, sculptural look. For autumn color, select varieties with vibrant red or orange leaves. To emulate the bamboo-like look prized in Japanese gardens, narrow-leaf cultivars like ‘Koto No Ito’ are ideal.
2. Japanese Black Pine
The rugged twisted trunks and horizontal branching of Japanese black pines convey age and perseverance Their spiky, dense needles provide wonderful textural contrast to smoother-leaved plants For the classic open, windswept silhouette, spread out branches using stakes and prune back new growth through ‘candling’.
3. Hinoki Cypress
With lacy, fanned sprays of foliage, Hinoki cypress has an elegant, graceful shape. The rich green or golden-tinged leaves release a lovely citrusy fragrance when brushed. Plant in shady areas to emulate their natural forest habitat. Choose compact varieties like ‘Confucius’ for small spaces.
4. Japanese Flowering Cherry
Nothing announces spring as dramatically as the billowing clouds of pink cherry blossoms on weeping cherries Provide full sun and good air circulation to avoid fungal diseases Prune only to maintain shape and health, since these trees bloom on old wood.
5. Japanese Stewartia
The camellia-like blooms of Japanese stewartia are a rare summer delight. Their exfoliating bark provides year-round interest, revealing patches of cream, gray, and cinnamon. Dappled shade and rich acidic soil provide ideal conditions. Their refined branching requires minimal pruning.
6. Japanese Plum Yew
Often clipped into mounded forms in Japan, plum yew’s deep green evergreen foliage looks quite similar to classic yew. Its adaptability to full shade makes it perfect for north-facing positions or under taller trees. The compact ‘Duke Gardens’ cultivar suits smaller gardens.
7. Japanese Maples
In Japanese gardens, leaf shape and fall color are more important than red summer color. Look for finely dissected leaves, rounded forms, and top autumn hues like bright crimson. Compact weeping forms are prized for adding a low layer and for containers. Their delicate leaves demand some afternoon shade.
8. Camellia
Camellias are treasured for their elegant flowers and glossy leaves. Choose varieties with loose, open blooms rather than very formal ones. Plant in dappled sun for best flowering and provide rich, acidic soil. Prune after flowering to shape and maintain their refined branches.
9. Japanese Cedar
With soft, feathery foliage, Japanese cedars provide fine-textured vertical accents. Dwarf varieties offer the same graceful impact for small spaces. Their pyramidal silhouette requires minimal pruning. Deep water during establishment for later drought tolerance.
10. Kousa Dogwood
Kousa dogwood’s horizontal branching creates lovely layered tiers. Flowering after its leaves emerge, this dogwood avoids diseases plaguing native dogwoods. Its strawberry-like fruit attracts birds, while fall foliage provides a colorful show before exfoliating bark appears in winter.
11. Japanese Zelkova
Zelkovas make admirable substitutes for American elms, with vase-shaped canopies and brilliant fall color. They tolerate urban stresses well. Their non-invasive roots can be planted near patios and walkways. Prune young trees lightly to establish good structure.
12. Trident Maple
Ideal for urban gardens, trident maples have dainty three-lobed leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall. Their compact size, graceful shape, and exfoliating bark add refined beauty without overwhelming a small space. They tolerate difficult conditions.
13. Bamboo
Bamboo is integral to Japanese gardens but overly aggressive species should be avoided. For the look without the maintenance nightmare, try clumping bamboo like Sacred Bamboo (Nandina). It has the same fine texture but a more manageable, compact form for small spaces.
14. Japanese Snowbell
Snowbell’s bell-shaped, sweetly fragrant white blooms dangle gracefully beneath branches in late spring. Their layered horizontal branching provides dappled shade. Plant in morning sun and provide well-drained soil. Their fall color is buttery yellow.
15. Japanese Hornbeam
A smaller, more refined version of American hornbeam, the Japanese species has catkin flowers and leaves with deep veining. It can be pruned into elegantly layered branching. Their golden fall color and naturally slow growth make them perfect small specimen trees.
The graceful silhouettes, textural foliage, and seasonal highlights of these trees will help you create a serene Japanese garden retreat right in your own yard. Pay close attention to siting and care requirements to keep them healthy and maintain their tranquil beauty.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier Grandiflora) (Image credit: Alamy / Steffen Hauser / botanikphoto)
Still with blossom in mind, another beautiful tree that features in Japanese garden ideas, is the Serviceberry, native to North America, Europe and Asia. This species blooms in late April with white flowers, produces red fruit in June, and follows with spectacular orange fall color for an ever-changing seasonal showstopper.
The Serviceberry tree can be grown across zones 4-9, also in rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil, says Catherine. It likes sun to part-shade, although the more sun it gets, the more fruit you get- and the fruit is delicious.
I recommend pruning this tree in the fall-if you prune after spring flowers, you get less fruit. It will need to be watered regularly during the establishment period, and will also require water during droughts.
Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) (Image credit: Alamy / James Allen)
Producing clusters of small yellow star-shaped flowers, this spring-blooming tree (or shrub) is native to Europe and Asia, although there are many native dogwood trees in the US too. Its beautiful green foliage appears in summer followed by dark-red fruits, which attracts many birds. It can grow up to 25 feet, although smaller cultivars are available.
The Cornelian cherry dogwood has a very upright, almost columnar habit, so requires little pruning, says Catherine. It likes to grow in rich, moist, well-drained soil-too much moisture is detrimental to the plant. Give it sun to part-shade and water it regularly until it is established, then it will only require water during drought.
Top 7 Japanese Garden Plants for Your Yard
FAQ
What is the best tree for a Japanese garden?
1. Japanese maple
Slow growing, it’s good for small gardens where it will eventually reach 6m. Other trees for Japanese gardens include Pinus thunbergii or flowering cherries, such as Prunus ‘Shogetsu’.
What are specimen trees for Japanese garden?
Signature trees such as the Japanese black pines, Japanese maples, and ginkgos are essential components to any Japanese garden. Specimen trees like the Chinese flame tree, Hong Kong orchid, plum, pink cloud cherry, evergreen pears, and saucer magnolias add to the overall desired aesthetic of the EBMJG.
What plants are good for Japanese style garden?
Restrained but beautiful planting
Many of our most popular plants originate from Japan, such as camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, Japanese anemones, Japanese acers, hostas and bamboos.
What trees are in the Japanese tea garden?
The garden consists of a variety of trees, including flowering cherry trees, azaleas, magnolias, camellias, Japanese maples, pines, cedars and cypresses. The dwarf trees were planted by the Hagiwara family in the years following the Midwinter Exposition of 1894.