Japanese Gardens
“People are a part of nature, not separate from it.”
—Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton
Japanese gardens like our Project in Challock are a representation of how Scarlet Oak is helping clients embrace nature with more meaning. It’s characteristics are bold in symbolism. Height meaning growth, sweeping lines in the gravel meaning water. Nothing is disconnected from each other and we’re not meant to be either.
It’s clear there is a connection with outdoor space and how it fuels our happiness. Without this access to nature in our everyday lives, we’ve become more unbalanced; tired eyes, busy minds, artificial light and longer work hours. These have all made us feel less human. Japanese gardens truly are a lifetime gift to any client. It takes you somewhere you can’t always explain but find the ability to feel.
That’s what we love about this theme. It’s a practical education that gives more than just aesthetic appeal. It gifts self-awareness.
Japanese gardens are a gateway to your version of happiness.
a Japanese garden aims to…
Add House Value
Escape At Home
Create Awareness
Symbolic Planting
Lower Maintenance
Embrace Relaxation
Location: Challock, Kent
Works In Progress
In Large Spaces
With acres to work with, Project Challock came with a blank canvas and few key features. Our clients wanted escapism but near their home. With high pressured jobs taking much of their time, an area for wellbeing was the inspiration behind the Japanese garden coming to fruition.
This property lays on flat land, highlighting the need for structure and height where we felt it could bring impact and symbolism. We sectioned off the Japanese garden to create a hidden oasis with natural wood fencing. The mounds you see pictured were planted with a specialty moss that could grow slowly, covering the entire surface area that’s mixed with Japanese planting—over time it has developed its edge and style. Acer trees are of course a homage to Japanese native species. They were bought established in height to give instant gratification, shade and colour. Water features were built in giving clients an easy way to submerge themselves into calm minds.
This space lets you escape in different sections as you walk around at your own pace. The structured mounds make you feel secluded and improves the sensory experience though scent and texture— specifically at eye level wherever possible. It’s a separate paradise, where you can’t be seen or disturbed. Just simply accepting yourself as you are in that moment.
Our clients have enjoyed breaking free from their routines and integrating holistic spaces that go from darkness to light, vivid colour to delicate sounds; they have found it to be equally majestic in Winter too—which is rare in our unpredictable British weather. Where gardens are often dismissed until Spring. Seasonality is hugely appreciated in Japan, amongst its meaning of evolution, rebirth and accepting things as they are. Our design and build work fastened this gardens story of life’s true meaning together.
Our Top 3 Questions
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It’s not only your eyes that are simply delighted with these ideas, but the plans your heart is set on for the future you. Japanese gardens welcome clients who are looking to reduce stress, connect with themselves and feel the time has come to repair and rebuild a more resilient happiness everyday.
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A Japanese garden is largely low maintenance; what it needs is patience. For clients with busy lifestyles, this is suitable. Its a garden you can dip into when you need to escape in your mind and into calmness. It will grow with you.
If you need a little help, then having an aftercare plan with us would ensure it would be ready to use whenever you need it.
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It varies on the size of the garden, economic climate in supplies, and desired scale. We work with client budgets and if we feel that a design can be enhanced, such as the Japanese garden, then we would look to either work in phases throughout the year or let you build the budget you would like to work with to have the design ready for a certain deadline.
Each phase must be paid for with a deposit before work starts.
The current garden shown had its own unique material and labour costs. Sharing the price would not reflect the prices of these variables today. We advise clients to book a consultation for a bespoke design by Daniel and breakdown of material costs.
Unsure of all the steps involved? Head to our homepage to see how we start the process.
Your dream garden starts with a conversation. Speak with our expert, Daniel James Bland.
Ready To Talk?
Organise a home visit or phone call.
07583 844369
Lines open from
Monday – Friday
8am – 6pm
Saturday – Sunday
10am – 6pm