These nine plants are Japanese icons that are perfect for a zen garden or lovers of Japanese culture.
Azaleas like regular moisture, but they will rot in wet winter soils.
Bamboo (Fargesia and Phyllostachys)
Bamboo has insinuated itself into many parts of Japanese culture.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
The running jot down is invasive and may even be prohibited in your region.
Bamboo plants appreciate some shade and regular moisture.
Pink or white spring blooms typically have an almond scent and attract eager bees just emerging from hibernation.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Bright green leaves soon follow, and provide an attractive anchor in a border, especially onweeping specimens.
Hosta
A shady glen full of hostas is well-suited to the Japanese garden aesthetic.
The key to success in growing hostas that increase in size every year is irrigation.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Water is like fertilizer to a hosta.
Hydrangeas are at their most lush state in climates with mild summers and ample rainfall.
A mature lotus specimen is something to behold and some varieties sport leaves that are 3 feet in diameter.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Large flowers appear over two weeks in late summer.
It is considered invasive in some areas of the United States.
After flowering, prune the vine close to its support structure.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
This keeps growth in check and keeps the blooms easy to see.
Wisteria floribunda.North Carolina State University Extension
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
