Japanese Garden Pruning and Maintenance

December 23, 2011

the "dome" Japanese garden plant shape

If you are interested in Japanese gardens you should know that the most common plant shape found in Japanese gardens is the tamamono, or “dome” shape. It is the easiest and and perhaps the least expensive way to add more Japanese style pruning to your garden. When visiting a Japanese garden you will see this shape over and over. As shown in the picture our Japanese garden project, one we designed, built and maintain, you will see five of these dome shaped plants. There is a group of three Lilacs, one Yew and one Mugho Pine. All of these plants are excellent for this basic Japanese garden shape. When pruning and maintaining this garden shape it is important to start from the top and work your down, just as we do with other Japanese garden pruning techniques. It is a mistake to start pruning at the bottom, as this often promotes a bottom that becomes to narrow. There is often more new growth at the top and where it often needs to be thinned out.

Posted in Asian Garden Design, Garden Plants, Japanese Garden Design