Hedges – Japanese garden hedge ideas

March 7, 2012

Japanese Garden Hedge

One of many topics to consider when planning and building your Japanese garden is the use of hedges. Hedges are used in the United States for the same reasons there are used in Japan. They are predominantly used for screening, defining spaces and directing traffic flow. In Japan hedges, fences and walls are often used along property lines, which is the true privacy barrier in traditional Japanese homes, not the walls of the home.

One of many topics to consider when planning and building your Japanese garden is the use of hedges. Hedges are used in theUnited Statesfor the same reasons there are used inJapan. They are predominantly used for screening, defining spaces and directing traffic flow. In Japan hedges, fences and walls are often used along property lines, which is the true privacy barrier in traditional Japanese homes, not the walls of the home.

In the picture shown here we have Techny Globe Arborvitae above the stone wall separating the outer garden and auto-court from the upper inner garden. You can also see the tall Techny Arborvitae, which are planted along the property line, providing a private and intimate space between the house and the neighboring property. You can also see how we designed the top of the bamboo and cedar fence on the right hand side of the picture to line up with the top of the shorter hedge above the stone wall. This was very intentional and determined during the design phase of the project.

Hedges are very effective tools for creating an intimate enclosure, which is a key component for most successful Japanese gardens. Hedges, also referred to as living fences, provide a softer screen than walls and fences and are typically a more cost effective solution. Within the garden area a hedge provides a great amount of green foliage, which can make a wonderful lush backdrop for your Japanese garden. This is especially desirable in more populated urban areas.

Within the garden hedges are often used as dividers and tools to direct traffic. Taller hedges can be used to create hallways screening the view of what is to come. This hallway technique helps to build excitement anticipating what is to come when you reach the end and turn the corner. Frank Lloyd Wright employed this technique creating a sequential experience when approaching and moving through many buildings he designed. Unity temple is a good example of this type of experience. Low hedges with taller semi open plants behind them create a nice effect when you want garden guests to be able to see partially through the vegetation catching a glimpse of the inner garden. We will often selectively prune one or more small openings to specific focal points of the garden on the other side, again building anticipation of what is to come. This might be a partial view of a lantern, waterfall, stream, pond, bridge, etc. never allowing anyone to see too much at any one glance.

There are a number of uses for hedges, with the most common being screening. In the case of Japanese gardens it is screening along with the idea of creating an intimate and private enclosure.

If you would like our help with your hedge, or Japanese garden project, contact us, Niwa Design Studio, at 952-470-1882.

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Types, Hedges, Japanese Garden Design, Plant Materials