The Japanese Garden

It's been a week of exploring exactly what is meant by the Japanese garden. Frankly speaking, a week isn't enough. It seems the conceptual basis of the Japanese garden and its design is firmly rooted in the philosophical; with that in mind, I feel like I have barely scraped the surface. However, a few concepts have struck me, one way or the other but at least they have had an impact.

Positive and negative space:

Interesting Concept. What is the balance between sections of a garden where things are, and sections where, quite simply, things aren't. I was initially struck by the utter simplicity of some of the gardens- very little going on. A mass of raked gravel and the odd neatly clipped shrub and stone. Too much dead space. There is an energy and flow about the garden but it feels negative. Very few felt comfortable. I guess that takes design to the point where it isn't necessarily about the aesthetic for the sake of beauty alone. Naturally, Japanese gardens are conceptually a reflection of nature in the microcosm; perhaps such gardens are an accurate reflection of what 'is' but I can't help feeling that slightly empty about such use of negative space; it's not something I would like to see out of my back window.

However, it got me thinking;  allowing gardens and design to breath can be critical for creating a sense of peace and calm. The negative space is critical. The cottage garden and the riot of foliage, colour and scent can be overwhelming- not to mention the feeling of dread that there is a good weekend's-worth of weeding ahead. Structure and formality can bring a sense of contentment, as can rhythmic planting schemes (a homage to the familiar) but the idea of negative space producing a sense of calm is quite intriguing. Emerging from the complexity of one section of garden to be greeted by an area of carefully set open space with more minimal use of materials can create a real sense of drama but ultimately a place to breathe. Even in the humble back garden, the proportion of lawn to border could be viewed as positive and negative space. Too often the obsession with the lawn creates too little positive space in the garden; borders pushed back to the fence lines and a dull, flat and lifeless garden, where the plants that are present struggle to be heard- akin to Spinal Tap's disastrous scale issues with Stone henge. Balance is important. The Yin and Yang, so to speak. Worth a thought when you next look out of the back window and consider your next move.

Finally, the lack of colour from perennials has been apparent. As someone who is a perennial aficionado, I can't help but feel that slipping the odd Rudbeckia into the neatly clipped shrubs would take the overall design to the next level but then I have to concede that I may have missed the point. 

Anyhow... back to the design...

The Perennial Dilemma

It's that time of year. The borders are beginning to look tired and many of us are considering making a hasty retreat from the garden as the weather starts to look ominous. What to do with your perennial borders? Cut everything to the ground in a fit of OCD or take the more laid-back approach and leave it to the wildlife until you emerge in the Spring? The choice is yours, but here's a few points worth considering.

When designing your borders, pay a little attention to the closed season; with just a little thought, you could extend the aesthetic display of your border throughout the winter months, without the risk of it looking like no one has bothered to weed for a year.

Some plants simply have to be left. Penstemon, for instance, are tender enough that the risks of hacking them down in the Autumn and losing them to the colder, wetter months is too great. Early Spring frosts will damage tender new growth; leaving last year's growth ensures that the plants can be cut back when the risk of frost has passed, thus allowing the new growth to shoot from the base without risk of being damaged. The problem being, many such plants have very little aesthetic value.

The "leave it for the birds" approach is something that has gained popularity. There is indeed some merit behind the thinking, especially where heavy soils are concerned. Many plants look attractive when tinged by frost in the winter months. Indeed the life-span of the border  can be greatly prolonged . The wildlife benefit from the seed-heads and the soil too from the lack of compaction that can be caused by trampling over the borders in the winter months. The trouble is, unlike through the growing season, the border can look messy and many of us can't stand that.

Picking and choosing what you leave is a technique that I favour. Neatly mulched borders quell the nagging OCD but a few cleverly chosen survivors from the previous season's growth can add some interest to the neat but sterile Winter border. Astilbe's and Sedum are two excellent plants to leave throughout the Winter months, as are many of the grasses. On frosty days the seed-heads look fabulous and give the garden a structural element that would otherwise be provided by evergreen shrubs and hedges.. such plants give your perennial border a near 365 day appeal.

In the picture groups of Sedum can be seen in Autumn. They retain their colour, will fade to brown and capture the most on colder days. The Yucca also adds to the drama. Much of the border will be cut down and mulched which will further highlight the plants that have been chosen to stay the course.

A warm welcome..

After what seems to be an eternity the new website is all but ready. I am currently waiting for the domain name transfer and all will then be as it should be- jonathoncharlesgardendesign.com is currently being moved over, hopefully asap. I hope to be able to bring some insight into design and day to day garden bits and bobs that may be of interest, so do stay tuned and feel free to join in.. JD