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Growing with Phipps: History, architecture play part in 'mystique' of Japanese gardening
Saturday, September 23, 2000 By Kevin Haughey, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Since I have become responsible for the Japanese garden at Phipps, I have gladly developed into an eager student of this ancient art form. I have learned that, in the Western world, there are more myths and misconceptions about Japanese gardening than you can shake a pair of pruning shears at.
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The main purpose of a Japanese garden is to bring peace and serenity to hectic, busy lives. A well-designed and well-groomed garden is calming and relaxing. It resembles a natural landscape but is actually carefully controlled by people. A Japanese garden is inspired by nature but does not grow naturally.
The idea that all the elements in a Japanese garden have some type of symbolic meaning is exaggerated. Although this is sometimes true for certain elements, symbolism is never the main point of a garden. Similarly, religion has nothing to do with Japanese gardening. Spiritual renewal may be obtained, but no particular religion is emphasized.
One possible explanation for this misconception is that many temples and shrines in Japan have gardens, but this is due more to the fact that these institutions pay less taxes and inheritance fees for land than private landowners.
Additionally, just as symbolism and religion have very little to do with Japanese gardening, meditation is seldom practiced in the garden.
A Japanese garden today is the product of more than 1,000 years of gardening tradition. It is far more developed and refined than we in the West could ever imagine. Architecture, art, engineering, history, horticulture and philosophy are all part of Japanese gardening.
The major elements used are rocks, water and trees, buildings, gates and fences. However, no one element is more important than another; rather, it is the combination of these components that is important.
Japanese gardening is an extensive journey (a garden 100 years old is considered young), but a satisfying and rewarding one. It starts with the garden's design and construction and is guided through the years by pruning and grooming. As you can see, most of what Westerners believe about Japanese gardening is misguided, overblown or just not true. Ultimately, the purpose of a Japanese garden is to enhance the quality of our lives by bringing nature into our surroundings. Learn more about Japanese gardening by visiting the Japanese Courtyard Garden at
This is one of a series of periodic columns by staffers of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Kevin Haughey is Phipps' bonsai manager.
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