Japanese Gardens Offer Many Benefits

The benefits of a Japanese garden or landscape are many.  They include:

• Providing a place for peace & serenity;
• Helping one connect with nature;
• Health benefits by helping to relieve stress. Many gardens include a koi pond and watching koi is known to help relieve stress, as well as provide many other benefits;
• Added exercise with maintaining the garden;
• Inspiring new thoughts;
• Encouraging reflective time and meditation which helps to improve focus;
• Conserving water through reduced plantings and use of natural elements.  Japanese garden and landscape designs can also be done as Xeriscapes  or even Zeroscapes; 
• Some designs require less maintenance than other garden/landscape styles;
• A design style that works well with native grasses and trees; and 
• Koi are used in aquaponic systems, so a koi pond that is part of a Japanese garden can be leveraged to help grow food.

To reap these rewards and include a Japanese garden in your landscape, visit www.JapaneseLandscapes.com.

Japanese Garden at the Manito Gardens
in Spokane, Washington

Features & Benefits of Japanese Garden Design

Japanese gardens are rooted in meaning, history, religion, and nature.  They promote balance and harmony and require careful consideration during the design process to create a garden that touches your spirit, reveals your style, and enhances your outdoor living.

Open space, natural, and water elements are essential in every Japanese garden design.  Here less is more.  By not overcrowding the garden and filling every space with plants, you make peaceful, calming areas that encourage thought, reflection, and rejuvenation.  Natural facets help to connect one with nature and water, such as a bowl of water for purity, or design elements that symbolize water, reflect the passage of time.

Japanese gardens epitomize understated elegance.  Few garden accents are needed, but popular accents such as lanterns and bridges quickly showcase the design style and can enhance the overall look.  However, they are not required elements.

A well designed Japanese garden or landscape should feel like a private sanctuary where you are surrounded and embraced by nature.  The design should incorporate natural screening and sounds to block out noises and visual elements that might otherwise detract from the serenity of the garden.

If you are looking for a beautiful, tranquil place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a Japanese garden or landscape may serve you well.  When you are ready to get started, contact Brian Kashima, the Owner of Island Landscape, to learn more and benefit his valuable expertise and 30+ years of experience as a Japanese gardener and landscaper. 

Or, if you are interested in helping us build a beautiful Japanese garden at The Aloha Garden of Maui, in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, you can support this effort by purchasing a garden brick here.

Japanese Garden at The Manito Gardens in
Spokane, Washington

A Fountain Can Turn An Unusual Space From Plain to Magnifiscent

This delightful European, angel topped, fountain helped fill an unusual corner off a deck, creating an alluring and soulful element in the garden that adds energy and life to the surrounding landscape.  It can be viewed and enjoyed at a distance from a garden path and can be heard from the deck, where the trickling water sounds help to sooth and relax people as the sit on the deck and enjoy the tropical landscape.

Angel Fountain Adds Interest & Appeal

Bring Nature Into Your Garden with a Stream

Add life and magic to your garden by adding a stream.  A stream in the garden creates a natural setting, with soothing sounds as water runs through it.  Your stream can be connected to a pond or waterfall, or created in and of itself like the picture below.  It can look more natural or more man-made to reflect your individual style.  And, with plants and lighting it can be as dramatic as you wish.  To learn more, visit your local garden center or contact a landscaper like Island Landscape to assist you with a garden stream design.  

Gently curving stream has a natural look and feel.

Great Entryways Wow Guests On The Way In

It is all about a first impression and a grand entrance makes a statement.  A great entryway and garden will also welcome you home and Wow! your guests when entering your property.  Here we show how lining your drive with Foxtail palm trees, along with Plumeria trees and other tropical plants produces a dramatic tropical entryway.  It is accented by decorative masonry for style and function. Imagine driving to this home for the first time.

This Entryway Is Set To Impress

Use a Container Planter to Make Your Column or Wall Outstanding

Container planters are great for many things, including decorating columns and walls.  They instantly change the look, adding color, charm and sophistication. Bowls, like the one shown, are extremely popular, as are square and wok styles.  They come in a variety of materials (such as ceramic, cement, fiberglass, plastic, rock and stone), colors, sizes, and prices.  Select a complimentary style and enjoy the results.  You can see the difference a container planter makes in the picture below.

This container planter transforms this apace.

Garden Design: Side Yard Ideas - Part 3 of a 3 Part Story

Here we are, the final post, Post 3/3 of this side yard design series.  In Post 1 we looked at two sample side yard design roughs. In Post 2 we compared them with the home's style.  Now, here in Post 3 we look at the side yard design with the home's style and the overall landscape design.  The picture below shows the landscape design that the client selected for their front yard.  Given this and the style of their home, they preferred Design 2 for the side yard.  While a Pagoda-style gazebo had initially been envisioned, they recognized that it clashed a bit with the home's style and that the Pergola design and plantings worked well with the rest of their planned landscape.

Preferred Side Yard Based on Home Style & Overall Landscape Design

Garden Design: Side Yard Ideas - Part 2 of a 3 Part Story

This is Post 2/3 of side yard design considerations.  In Post 1/3 the the client's initial comments were taken into account and two quick designs roughs were created for the side yard area.  If you only looked at the side yard area in Post 1 and considered the two designs, you would likely choose the one that meets the design style you prefer.  However, in this post, we also consider the style of the existing home that this side yard belongs to.

Side Yard Designs Considered with Home Design

Please visit us again tomorrow for the final post in this three-part design series.

Garden Design: Side Yard Ideas - Part 1 of a 3 Part Story

This is a three part design story for a side yard that showcases design considerations, including blending with the surrounding landscape.  This is Post 1/3, all based on a few design roughs to help the clients consider different options.

Here is the background. The client's home is located in a drought area, so water conservation is important, but the client also wants a green lawn for their side yard.  They want a design with minimal plants to help conserve water, especially since the lawn is important to them.  And, with the home near the ocean, they need a lawn and plants that are salt tolerant.  One of the owners, who appreciates Asian design, would like a Pagoda-style gazebo to relax in and enjoy their ocean view. The other is open to different styles and options.

These two quick design roughs for the side yard were created to get the ball rolling on design ideas for the area and outdoor seating.

Side Yard Ideas with a Pagoda Gazebo & Pergola Option

Please visit us again tomorrow for Post 2/3.

Add A Patio To Create A Diverse Garden Living Space

A patio is a recreation area that adjoins a dwelling, is often paved, and is adapted especially to outdoor dining (per Merriam-Webster's online dictionary). For me, the key word is "recreation."  They can be: a serene place to relax and rejuvenate, a perfect area for barbecuing and dining; an ideal spot to kick-back and read; a fabulous location for parties and entertaining; or simply a space for a great conversation.  Whether a patio is used for some or all of the above, they are treasured additions that improve garden living, as well as the value of a home.

Before & After Shot of a Planned Patio Addition.

Computer Aided Garden Design Helps You Visualize The End Result

For many of us, we have ideas for our garden or landscape design, but have trouble visualizing the end result.  Or, maybe we want to play with different ideas before actually going out and purchasing all of the plants. Hiring a landscape designer is a tremendous help, particularly one who uses computer aided design.  They can take a picture of your garden area, as seen in the example below, and help you explore the right plants, colors, heights, placement. watering needs, etc. to help you achieve your garden goals. With a mouse click here and there, the design is quickly updated to provide you with different views.  Computer aided design greatly enhances the design process, do not under estimate the landscape designer.  Their expertise invaluable and helps save time and money in the end.  

Today, with the use of the Internet and computer aided design, landscape designers like Brian Kashima of Island Landscape in Maui, Hawaii, work with clients from across the globe on their garden or landscape design.

Image showing a design idea for the back of a monument sign for a
Homeowners' Association. The image is courtesy of Island Landscape.

Top 10 Reasons to Include A Koi Pond In Your Garden

I love koi and have a koi pond at home. They are so much fun to watch, do not take much work, and are excited to see me when I come to feed them. There are many other benefits too, including these:

Top 10 Reasons to Include A Koi Pond In Your Garden

1. Adds beauty and serenity to your life
2. Koi make terrific pets
3. More and more doctors are reporting health benefits from koi ponds
4. Watching koi is relaxing
5. The sound of gently moving water is soothing
6. Tending a koi pond makes a great hobbie
7. A koi pond is an attractive and popular feature for your garden
8. It gives your garden or landscape a natural feel
9. Saves on watering as koi ponds take less water than grass or other plants that would otherwise occupy the same space
10. Increases your home’s value 

Koi Pond in Tropical/Asian Influenced Landscape in Maui, Hawaii

Use Art To Create A Mood In Your Garden

Whatever your style, from European statues to contemporary art, adding a piece of art to your garden adds interest, meaning, and sets the mood.   It completely changes the atmosphere.  It may invoke contemplation, reflection, a smile, and more. Embellish your garden with art that inspires you.

Contemporary art as focal point of entry planter.

Create A Spectacular Circular Entryway

Construct a stunning circular entry way by using the plant layering technique mentioned in our earlier post.  First, determine the size of the circle for your planter to help determine the size of the plants and focal point to be used.  Then decide what you will use as the focal point (tallest element) in the center.  Will it be a tree, statue, large boulder, water feature, etc.?  Next, determine complimentary plants and colors for the plant rings around it.  These should accent the focal point, be of different heights (from tallest to lowest), and blend well with your overall landscape.  Bricks, edging, pavers, etc. can also be incorporated as a layer.  Then plant it up, following plant spacing instructions and leaving room for plants to fill in, and enjoy.

Tropical circular entry planter.

Garden Design: Water Features Add Life To A Garden

In life, all things need water and we instinctively connect with water.  That is why a water feature is a great addition for any landscape or garden and really should be an essential element of every design.  Whether you incorporate a large, customed water feature (like a pond, waterfall or fountain) or a small table top fountain, it will be a positive addition that makes an immeasurable difference.

Custom water feature designed by Island Landscape.

Garden Design: Use Different Plant Heights

Use plants of various heights to create vertical layers and visual interest.  Start with your tallest plants to create a background layer, such as trees and/or tall shrubs.  This layer can also be used to make a wonderful screen.  Next add your mid-height plants, which are usually several feet tall.  Spread them across the planted area to connect the taller layer with lower layers.  Fill across the space to add spatial definition and color and/or texture to the planter.  Depending on how many layers you plan to have, this layer might be a little taller with four layers or a little shorter with three.  If four layers are desired, add a layer of foreground plants that are between 6 inches and 2 feet in height, followed by your front ground level layer of turf or ground covers.  If three layers are desired you might use a slightly taller foreground plant or a shorter mid-height plant if your last layer will be turf or ground cover.  The main thing is to have fun with it.  

Recently planted tropical planter. Picture courtesy of Island Landscape.

Garden Design Idea: Conserve Resources with Xeriscaping

Xeriscapes incorporate low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and native plants, along with natural and man-made materials, to provide attractive landscapes that conserve water and energy and require less maintenance.

While the word xeriscape used to bring to mind the image of an Arizona, dessert-type landscape, that incorrect perception is changing.  Pictures abound of Japanese rock or sand gardens, container gardens, Mediterranean and Tuscan gardens, Hawaiian and tropical gardens, and more that incorporate xeriscaping principles.

Xeriscapes are creative landscapes that can be based in any landscape style.  They look beautiful, conserve resources and give you the added pleasure of knowing you are helping the planet.

Pictures from various homes in Maui and Lanai featuring xeriscaping.

To contact a landscape expert in Hawaii, visit www.IslandLandscapeHawaii.com.

Garden Design: Color and Creativity Catch One's Eye

A table here, a chair there, a cute planter and small decorative element and Voila!, you have a simple, but attractive garden vignette in a just a few feet of space.  Are you thinking what I am thinking, wondering what is sitting in the garage that can be re-purposed for the garden?  It gets my mind going.

A Tough of Color Makes A World of Difference