Japanese Gardens in a Weekend®: Projects for One, Two or Three Weekends

Japanese gardens have a matchless allure—so 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 time—the pleasure, forever.