- How big should a Japanese bed be?
- Which plants belong in a Japanese bed?
- Which design features should not be missing in any Japanese bed?
There is more than a hint of the exotic about a Japanese-style garden or bed. Everything is precisely planned and carefully laid out. If you like clear lines and shapes, you should think about creating a Japanese bed.

How big should a Japanese bed be?
In Japan, very few people can afford a large garden. Therefore, this type of design is also very suitable for small areas. Try to integrate all the important elements without overloading the small area. The trick here is often omission, otherwise the Japanese bed quickly looks kitschy.
Which plants belong in a Japanese bed?
In a Japanese garden you will mainly find trees, shrubs and other green plants. Flowering plants are used very sparingly, for example cherry trees, azaleas and rhododendrons for spring or irises and peonies for summer. However, a lush splendor of colors is undesirable and disturbs the harmony.
Evergreen plants such as boxwood, which is artfully cut into shape, conifers and pines are very popular. Ferns and hardy bamboo are also popular plants. In autumn, colorful foliage provides some color in the garden. Here you can plant maple trees, for example.
Which design features should not be missing in any Japanese bed?
In addition to the typical plants, water and stones are among the indispensable design elements. What is less known is that moss is one of the four elements in a Japanese garden. However, it is difficult to obtain.
Design only a single bed or a small area, then you can integrate the water in the form of a small basin or replace it with gravel. In order to be able to rake the typical wave pattern into a gravel surface, the layer should be at least five centimeters thick.
The most important elements of a Japanese bed:
- Plants: mainly green plants (trees, shrubs, boxwood, bamboo, ferns), only a few flowering plants
- Water: as a pond, stream, waterfall or small pool
- Stones: a gravel bed can also replace a body of water
- Moss: partially difficult to obtain, can be replaced with Star Moss or Andean Pads
- Figures: only use very sparingly and sporadically
tips
Even with a small bed, you can bring Far Eastern flair into the garden.