Price : $8.71

Product Description

Japanese gardens have a matchless allureso still, and with a profound sense of beauty. All the more amazing, then, that you can construct such a special place so quickly, with this guide to planning, materials, plants, pruning, and special additions. The transformation can begin in a single weekend with a miniature Japanese garden in an old sink for display on a balcony or patio, or with trellis panels made from bamboo. It takes two weekends to add a zigzag bridge as a centerpiece to an iris garden or to put up an arbor. In less than a month, you can enjoy a vertical garden on a sleep slope, a heart-shaped pool with rockery, waterfall, or tea garden. The work lasts only a short timethe pleasure, forever.

Ketchell has compiled a realistic guide to constructing more than 20 outstanding Oriental garden features. Detailed directions combine with impeccable illustrations, and Ketchells informed explanations of construction techniques, material requirements, tools, and equipment make even the most intricate design attainable.Booklist.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-06-13
The projects look amazing and I hope they will be easy for me to complete. I am thrilled with the directions and photos.

Review date : 2008-03-05
I’m not much of a gardener and it figures that I’d choose to want one of the more difficult types of gardens to design. This book presents different projects in an easy to understand format. It lists the supplies, types of plants and spells out how to carry out each project step by step. You may need other references too but this one is a good book to have. Good illustrations too.

Review date : 2007-03-19
I love japanese gardens but this is not so easy. Great pictures and great ideas but I’m not very handy. I wish it was made a bit easier to follow. Some supplies are not easy to find in my area. But great ideas anyway.

Review date : 2003-04-21
A great run down on the essentials in a Japanese garden. From plants to design and bamboo. A great book for how-to water features and more. A great book.

Price : $18.68

Product Description

The strong horizontals of bamboo reflected in a dark circle of water; the rhythmic clap of the deer scarer; the contemplative beauty of waves created in sand: combinations of nature and art that soothe and uplift the spirit. Your vision of a Japanese garden need not be confined to Japan. Here is a fully comprehensive guiide which will enable you to capture in your home or office environment the elusive spirit of the Japanese garden-no matter where you live.
The author, a Japanese landscape architect who has been living and designing Japanese gardens in the West for many years, will show you step by-step how to accomplish this ideal utilizing your own special environment and using materials which are readily available in the West. Since moving to the UK in 1974, the author has designed and created many Japanese gardens, from small private gardens to large public spaces of over two acres. It is from this direct experience that he draws the material for this book. The step-by-step instructions are easy-to-follow, and also included are many drawings and photographs to illustrate the points that are made.
Many books on Japanese gardens can be found in bookstores and libraries, but most do not take into account the different environments found outside Japan nor the diverse materials available worldwide. They tend either to be translations of books written by Japanese landscape architects and gardeners living and working in Japan, or books written by those who visit Japan to research the gardens, with the intention of introducing them to the rest of the world… These books are ideal for learning about the history and appearance of Japanese gardens, but lack the practical advice necessary for constructing your own garden.. .I believe that as the interest in and understanding of Japanese culture continues to spread, so will the popularity of and desire for Japanese gardens. I hope that this book will give pleasure to all those of you who, like me, are captivated by the gardens of Japan, and that it will help you to create a garden of your own that you can enjoy day after day.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2007-09-17
I think this a good book for someone ready to start digging now to create their Japanese garden, someone who knows exactly what they want to do. The beginning of the book was interesting, and provided good information about and reasons for the different elements of a Japanese garden – such as water, stone lanterns, bridges, and plantings.
I was hoping for a little more inspiration through photographs and seeing more examples of gardens people have created. This book gets down to the step-by-step details of building fences and dry riverbeds for example.
The book does have a nice materials/plant/planting guide in the back which I took a few notes from. But I’m in a brainstorming phase with my garden not the brass tacks phase, so I did return the book and will look into a book that is more photography-based and example-based, than how-to.

Review date : 2007-08-16
After reading this book most of the way through, I thought it provided a lot of good information. My intention was not necessarily to design a true Japanese garden but wanted to create a garden and atmosphere that reflects the feeling and general appearance of a Japanese garden while still maintaining my herb and vegetable garden. The book gave a lot of pictures that were helpful to create that atmosphere in an American environment. Most if not all of the design elements were explained as to why and how they help to create the desired effect. Additionally there was a full chapter that described the history behind Japanese gardens, and I found that very helpful. Since reading that chapter I have picked up and English translation of the books described in that chapter. I felt this book was really helpful and plan to use it to landscape my backyard.

One thing to keep in mind, is this is not a step by step how to book. It is designed mostly to give you an overview and an understanding of what elements to use, and how to use them.

Review date : 2007-04-27
Have many books on Japanese gardening – this is the one that finally helped me begin to answer the "but how will I design and situate one in my space?" question. Nicely written, direct, and just enough examples to help you get moving!

Review date : 2007-01-11
My daughter was recently proposed marriage to in a japanese garden. They are planning to build a similar garden in their backyard,so this book
was a Christmas present.
She was thrilled and we went thru the book as she mentioned several
items in the book that were relevant.
It has alot of very nice illustrations and "how-tos",more than some that I looked at.This author was careful to include all aspects of the japanese garden. Plenty of detail.Very happy with my purchase.

Review date : 2007-01-10
This book provides useful guidance in planning a Japanese Garden with well written text and beautiful photographs. It inspires one to find a way to incorporate the concepts into Western style homes.

Price : $13.25

Product Description

With their superbly shaped trees and shrubs, subtly colored foliage, and emphasis on nature in its pure state, Japanese Zen gardens are spaces of beauty and tranquility. Serene Gardens is an exquisitely illustrated introduction to the style and its traditionsand the only book that explains how to use western plants and materials to achieve the minimalist look beloved by Japanese garden designers. Gardeners will find plant lists; climate zone maps; instructions for selecting readily available flora, wood, bamboo, rocks, and pebbles; and gorgeous color photographs showcasing gardens from around the world.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-12-06
In trying to find inspiration for a japanese-style garden, this book is incredible. It has varied ideas and helpful hints. It has the most information on moss than others I’ve used.

Review date : 2002-09-02
I have checked out many books on Japanese gardening in the past ten years and this is my favorite. Includes design details and plant lists and the photos are gorgeous. You won’t be sorry.

Review date : 2000-12-17
Kawaguchi captures the essential elements of serenity and beauty in near perfect balance with the `how-to’ hinted at in the subtitle.

The author succeeds in creating a book that is first and foremost a beautiful book, but also raises awareness as to the deeper consciousness of Japanese garden design. This is not a Readers Digest Gardening Guide, with silly pictures and numbered steps. Instead she takes you on journey, leading you to discover and to appreciate, as she unfolds the finer art with sensitivity. The book is beautifully illustrated, well designed and well constructed.

Serene Gardens first introduces the reader to the traditional Japanese garden, and then proceeds to demonstrate how plants, rocks, water and sand should be used in the garden. She discusses paths, bridges, and constructions like pergolas en fences – and provides clear instructions on how to construct these. In conclusion, the book ends with a brief plant directory, listing suitable plants, ranging from trees, grasses/bamboos, berries and aquatic plants. The list includes alternative, non-traditional plants.

‘Serene Gardens’ works on the coffee table as well as in the garden. It is a book that can be enjoyed, as the garden itself is enjoyed.