David Domoney: Creating a Japanese style garden

24 March 2025

David Domoney: How to create a Japanese garden.

Japanese gardens are timeless sanctuaries that embody peace, balance, and an intimate harmony with nature. With the gentle murmur of flowing water, artfully placed stones, and the use of organic, natural materials, these gardens evoke a sense of calm and quiet introspection. Winding pathways, graceful bridges, and intentional design elements invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the tranquil beauty of the present moment. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the essential elements of a Japanese-inspired garden and how each one contributes to creating a soothing, contemplative outdoor retreat.

 

What is a traditional Japanese garden?

At the heart of every Japanese garden lies a clear intention: to cultivate a space of serenity, stillness, and gentle reflection through the thoughtful use of natural materials. Every element, whether stone, water, wood, or greenery, is carefully chosen not just for its appearance, but for the feeling it evokes and the balance it brings. Each material plays a distinct role in guiding the mind toward tranquility, helping to dissolve the noise of the outside world. 

While there are several styles of Japanese gardens, from dry rock landscapes to lush stroll gardens, most share a core set of design principles and key elements that work together to create a harmonious and meditative environment.

 

The Spirit of Water

Water is a central and symbolic feature in many Japanese gardens, embodying both stillness and movement, often representing vast oceans, tranquil lakes, or meandering streams. More than a visual element, water reflects the rhythms of life and the quiet power of nature. Its direction of flow is steeped in traditional beliefs, flowing east to west, it is thought to carry away negative energy or misfortune, while a north-to-south current is believed to usher in prosperity and good fortune. 

Even in Karesansui (dry rock gardens), where no actual water is present, its essence is evoked through meticulously raked sand or gravel, artfully arranged to mimic the ripples and flow of water, inviting contemplation and inner peace.

 

The Meaning of Koi

Fish, especially the iconic koi, are cherished inhabitants of Japanese gardens, adding not only vibrant colour and graceful movement but also deep symbolic meaning. Far more than ornamental, koi represent perseverance through adversity, strength of character, and enduring good fortune. Their ability to swim upstream against strong currents has long made them a symbol of resilience and determination in Japanese culture. As they glide effortlessly through the water, they bring the garden to life, creating a dynamic contrast to the stillness of rocks and the quiet rustle of leaves. Their presence infuses the space with a sense of vitality, continuity, and quiet joy, enhancing both the aesthetic and spiritual harmony of the garden.

 

Where Water Winds and Stone Rests

At the heart of this jungle-like Japanese garden, a gentle stream winds its way through lush greenery, its glassy surface mirroring the shifting blue sky above. The soft sound of trickling water adds a meditative rhythm to the space, inviting stillness and reflection. 

A beautifully crafted paved bridge, formed from a mid-grey Pavestone porcelain, arcs gracefully across the stream, its clean lines and muted tones blending effortlessly with the surrounding natural textures. The elegant stonework provides a quiet contrast to the vibrant foliage, anchoring the scene in a sense of balance and composure. Carefully layered plantings along the edges of the water create depth and dimension, subtly enhancing the feeling of a much larger, hidden world. 

Every element remains faithful to traditional Japanese garden aesthetics, thoughtful, harmonious, and deeply attuned to nature.

 

Tradition and Innovation Through Water Design

Water basins, or Tsukubai, are timeless features in Japanese gardens, traditionally carved from stone or formed from beaten copper they are used for ritual cleansing. 

In this garden, a contemporary twist reimagines this classic element: a shallow copper bowl serves as the basin, its warm, metallic tones gleaming softly against the surrounding greenery. Water gently spills over its edges into an understated aggregate soakaway, creating a soothing, continuous flow that draws the eye and calms the mind. 

This modern interpretation not only honours the spirit of traditional design but also extends the presence of water into a new area of the garden, maintaining visual and sensory harmony. The delicate sound of the overflow deepens the garden’s sense of tranquillity, enriching the overall experience with a subtle yet powerful touch of serenity.

 

The Language of Rocks

Rocks are more than mere decorative elements in Japanese-style gardens, they are the silent storytellers of the landscape, deeply symbolic and grounded in nature’s timeless rhythms. Each stone is chosen with care, its shape, texture, and placement carrying meaning. Towering, upright stones, often rugged and volcanic, evoke the majesty of distant mountains, anchoring the garden with a sense of strength and permanence.  In contrast, low-lying, horizontal rocks gently suggest tranquil islands, inviting stillness and contemplation. 

When arranged in harmonious triads, rocks can embody a profound spiritual symbolism: heaven, earth (or humanity), and the sacred connection between them. These compositions are not accidental and are rooted in centuries of tradition, designed to evoke awe, balance, and a deep reverence for the natural world.

 

Balancing Texture and Tone with Stone

In this garden, rocks play a defining role in shaping both form and feeling, most notably by framing the water feature and subtly elevating the raised seating area. Carefully chosen for their golden hues, the stones introduce a warm, sunlit contrast to the cooler tones of the mid-grey porcelain paving. This interplay of colour brings depth and visual interest, softening the space and adding a touch of brightness to its more shadowed corners. The irregular shapes and layered arrangement of the rocks lend a natural, unrefined texture, evoking the rugged beauty of a mountain stream or forest floor. This organic composition stands in deliberate contrast to the smooth, uniform lines of the paved pathways, striking a harmonious balance between structure and spontaneity, control and wildness. The result is a space that feels grounded, inviting, and alive.

 

Slate and Symbolism

Slate, with its rich, layered texture and natural elegance, is a subtle yet powerful addition to the garden’s design language. Used throughout the planting beds, it breaks up the softness of greenery and soil, adding both visual interest and a sense of geological depth. Much like the golden stones framing the water feature, slate introduces contrast and definition, helping to guide the eye across the space. Its cool, dark tones ground the garden, echoing the tranquil mood of shaded forest floors or riverbeds. 

In traditional Japanese garden design, materials like slate and gravel are often employed not just for their texture, but for their symbolic resonance, quietly evoking the presence of water through their layered flow and the way they catch light. Here, slate serves both a practical and poetic function, unifying the space while deepening its sense of calm and connection to nature.

 

Symbolism of the Garden Bridge

Bridges hold deep symbolic meaning in Japanese garden design, often representing the journey between the physical and spiritual worlds, the crossing from the transient to the eternal, a path toward enlightenment or immortality. More than a functional element, a bridge is an invitation to pause, reflect, and transition. 

In this garden, a gracefully arched wooden bridge pays homage to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, echoing the use of natural materials like timber and stone. Its elegant curve softens the lines of the landscape while seamlessly blending into the surrounding foliage and flowing stream. The larger body of water beneath it not only justifies its presence but also defines separate zones within the garden, inviting exploration and creating a sense of discovery. 

As one crosses the bridge, there is a subtle shift in perspective, both physical and emotional, reinforcing the garden’s role as a space of contemplation and quiet transformation.

 

Defining Boundaries

Fences and boundaries are essential elements in Japanese garden design, not merely for enclosure, but for creating a sense of seclusion, intimacy, and quiet introspection. In the context of UK gardens, especially in densely populated urban areas, these features feel both practical and poetic. They carve out a private sanctuary from the outside world, amplifying the garden’s serene and contemplative atmosphere. 

In this garden, dark-toned fencing and charcoal-hued walls are used with intention and restraint. Their deep, muted shades complement the grey porcelain paving and slate accents, enriching the overall palette while allowing the vibrant greens of the planting to shine. 

Behind the seating area, tall charcoal walls create an elegant backdrop that subtly expands the perceived space, drawing the eye upward and giving the garden a more immersive, enveloping feel. Matching dark planters and pergola pillars recede into the background, allowing natural textures and softer elements to take visual precedence. 

The result is a beautifully layered composition that feels both grounded and expansive, an urban refuge shaped by harmony and thoughtful contrast.

 

Walking with Intention

Continuing the garden’s quiet rhythm of movement and stillness, pathways serve as both a physical and symbolic thread, gently guiding the visitor through the space. 

In traditional Japanese garden design, pathways are not merely functional, they are meditative tools, carefully laid to encourage slow, mindful walking and deeper engagement with the surrounding landscape. Each step becomes intentional, a quiet invitation to pause, observe, and breathe. 

In this garden, the pre-established routes are subtly woven into the design, leading the eye and body on a contemplative journey. As the path winds through changing textures and shifting scenery, it fosters a sense of exploration while reinforcing the garden’s essence of flow. Walking these paths becomes a ritual—one that clears the mind, centres the spirit, and deepens appreciation for the delicate balance between nature and design.

Dolomite Slate: Where Form Meets Flow

Pavestone’s Dolomite porcelain paving takes centre stage in this garden, not just as a surface to walk on, but as a sculpted element of design that subtly shapes the experience of the space. Intricately cut and precisely laid, the paving creates a sense of clear direction, each slab a quiet guide beneath your feet, leading you with purpose through the garden’s unfolding story. 

The Dolomite Slate shade evokes the timeless elegance of natural stone, perfectly echoing the garden’s commitment to organic materials and grounded textures. Its soft, variegated tones blend effortlessly with the dark grey bridge, the slate-filled beds, and the surrounding architectural elements, creating a seamless visual dialogue between the built and the natural. This cohesion of material and tone weaves a sense of quiet harmony throughout the garden, reinforcing its meditative atmosphere and the thoughtful flow of its design.

 

Guided by Contrast

Slate paving is thoughtfully woven into the garden’s layout, forming guiding lines that run through the pathway crafted from Pavestone’s Dolomite Moon. This gentle interplay of materials and tones creates a subtle visual rhythm, an elegant dance between light and dark. The soft, silvery hues of the Moon shade introduce a welcome brightness, lifting the garden’s atmosphere and offering contrast to the deeper, moodier tones of the Dolomite Slate. 

Carefully placed cuts, threaded through the pale porcelain, ensure a sense of cohesion and flow throughout the space. The restrained, minimalist palette, balancing shadow and light, mirrors the understated beauty of traditional Japanese gardens, where simplicity is not absence but intention. This muted foundation allows the lush greens of nature to take centre stage, drawing the eye to foliage, texture, and seasonal change, while the pathway remains a quiet, grounding presence beneath it all.

 

The Colour of Time

Continuing the garden’s harmonious colour palette, evergreen shrubs and trees form the backbone of the planting scheme, offering year-round structure, depth, and a sense of permanence. Their steady presence mirrors the timeless quality of traditional Japanese gardens, where greens are favoured for their calming effect and quiet resilience. 

In this space, evergreens are thoughtfully layered to provide texture and contrast, while also serving as a serene backdrop for the changing seasons. Carefully selected seasonal plants add a dynamic rhythm to the garden, introducing subtle shifts in mood and tone. In autumn, fiery bursts of crimson and amber blaze through the foliage, creating a dramatic contrast against the cool slate and porcelain. Come spring and summer, delicate blossoms emerge in shades of white, pink, and soft lavender, infusing the space with life and renewal. This careful choreography of seasonal colour ensures the garden remains ever-changing yet deeply grounded, an evolving canvas of tranquillity and natural beauty.

 

Focal Foliage

This garden maintains a simple palette, allowing carefully chosen plants to shine against the neutral, stone-toned backdrop. Bright evergreens create bold focal points, their vivid foliage drawing the eye and lifting the overall mood of the space. At the heart of a circular paved area, Trachycarpus fortunei, the striking Chusan palm, takes centre stage. With its fan-shaped fronds and distinctive texture, it adds architectural drama and a touch of the exotic, while providing vibrant greenery throughout the year. 

Bamboo, a staple in Japanese-inspired design, also plays a prominent role. Here, Phyllostachys aurea, or Fish-pole bamboo, introduces graceful movement and vertical interest. Its golden canes glow softly against the garden’s darker elements, while its fine, evergreen leaves offer lasting colour and a gentle rustling sound in the breeze. 

Together, these plants bring life, motion, and contrast—complementing the garden’s calm structure with natural energy and elegance.

For seasonal interest, flowering plants are included in the borders. Salvia microphylla (Baby sage) is a lovely evergreen shrub with aromatic ovate leaves. It also offers late summer and autumn interest, producing deep red flowers. These blooms attract pollinators and add a striking autumnal touch.

Another feature in this garden is some wonderfully tall Agapanthus (African lily), towering gracefully through the border. Some varieties are evergreen, providing year-round foliage. Their flowers range from deep blues and purples to snowy white spherical firework-like blooms in midsummer. These elegant flowers add delicate bursts of seasonal interest.

This garden offers a modern take on Japanese-style design. Carefully curated zones invite relaxation, while winding pathways encourage contemplation. Pavestone’s paving is showcased beautifully throughout the space.

 

 

Jon Layton, Pavestone CEO:

The landscaper behind this garden is Max Fitton Landscaping. 

As a preferred Pavestone installer, they are experts at producing wonderful results with our Dolomite porcelain paving range. Their skill and patience in cutting the intricate curves and shapes in the fabulous design is testament to their landscaping professionalism.

As David has described in this blog, this paving adds to the atmospheric Japanese style cultivated here, establishing a peaceful garden escape. This garden was designed by E.scape Garden Design. I find this a wonderful showcase of how effective a simple colour palette can be used to create a Japanese oasis, and how our products are perfect to facilitate this. 

That’s why we chose this garden to be the front cover of our 2025 brochure. 

Congratulations go to E.scape and Max Filton Landscapes!

 

 

We have hundreds of stunning videos, depicting beautifully landscaped gardens, which have used Pavestone landscaping and building materials to realise homeowners 'dream gardens'. Set yourself some time to explore these videos and maybe make some plans for your garden makeover?

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.

 

 

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