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

Landscape Ideas - A Winning Combination

This landscaped planter incorporates a number of design techniques to arrive at a winning combination that is representative of the area. Whether it is your personal style or not, it is great to see how various elements were blended together for a wonderful and dramatic effect. The design includes use of drought tolerant native plants, natural materials (mulch and rock which give a natural feel, while also reducing the number of plants needed and watering), pops of color to brighten the landscape, and a significant piece of garden art. The end result is stunning.

Planter in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 

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.