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Five Great Plants for a Japanese Garden

29th April 2017

Japanese gardens are renowned throughout the world for their beauty and tranquility. It is a style of garden that is suitable for gardens here in the UK, especially for small and average sized residential gardens. There is some fantastic Japanese gardens here in Britain that are open to the public, where visitors can get inspiration and see the sort of plants that are used. Japanese gardens use old, natural materials and take inspiration from the natural landscape. Elements of the gardens often include rock and stones, lanterns, water, garden bridges and pagodas or gazebos. Here is five great plants for a Japanese garden.

Clematis 'Shirayukihime'

This Japanese bred Clematis cultivar is perfect for a Japanese garden. Its flowers are pure white, with a simple non fussy shape. Ideal for a drab fence or wall. Height: 2.5m (8'). Spread: 1m(3'). Pruning group: 2. Flowers May to June, with a second flush in September. Available from Van Meuwen, 1 plant in a 3 litre pot £13.99 HERE

Cut-leaved Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Rubrum'

Japanese gardens can look beautiful in autumn when leaves turn to shades of red and orange. Acer trees are renowned for their beauty during this period, and also look pleasant in the summer months. Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Rubrum'

is a striking variety of Japanese Maple, even for small gardens, as it is slow growing and easy to maintain. It can be planted in borders or in a large planter. Height: 2m (6',6"). Spread: 3m (10'). 1 plant in a 13cm pot HERE

Fuji Cherry 'Kojo No Mai'

The Japanese love Cherry Blossom trees in spring, and they are found in many Japanese gardens in Tokyo and other cities. Fuji Cherry 'Kojo No Mai' is a wild cherry that grows on the mountain sides of Mount Fuji, that is 3,776 m in height and is 100km south west from the Japanese capital. Flowers in March and April and the leaves turn a fantastic fiery red in autumn. This variety is a compact, rounded shrub, ideal for residential gardens. Height and spread: 2.5m (8'). 1 plant in a 9cm pot £14.99 from Van Meuwen HERE

Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

Ideal for adding greenery to a bare patio or decking area, Japanese Forest Grass looks great in planters. Very low maintenance, with thin yellow-green leaves that turn orange in autumn. Height: 35cm (13"). Spread: 40cm (15"). 1 plant in a 1 litre pot £9.99 HERE

Umbrella Bamboo 'Asian Wonder', Fargesia murieliae

The plum red shoots of this Umbrella Bamboo makes a fantastic screen in gardens, that can create privacy and also hide shabby fences and plain walls. A classic oriental plant that is perfect for Japanese gardens. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1.2m (4'). 1 plant in a 9cm pot from Thompson & Morgan £19.99 HERE