Japanese Garden

I have a decent sized side yard that isn't particularly usable, so I'm turning it into a Japanese garden.

Our house faces a noisy street and while the backyard is quiet, the sideyard is somewhat loud. The main purpose of the Japanese garden is to block as much street noise from the front as possible.

Because we have a big backyard, I don't mind losing the space to a Japanese garden with statuaries, a "flowerpot pond" as I call it, grass, soft moss, a walkway, a bamboo trellis and Asian-style trees.

These are the before pictures.

Here is the space from the east

Here is the space from the west

The Japanese garden will be only as long as the house. Because our property slopes at a 15% grade, I'm having a retaining wall constructed so that the Japanese garden is even with the foundation of our house. It's around 15x45 feet.

First, I will have a retaining wall built. Then the space will have to be leveled out and clean soil will be brought in. I will have a flagstone walkway through the garden and a small sitting area that will mirror the circular fire-pit in the backyard.

I will add grass, 1 or 2 Japanese Maples, potted bamboo, Asian grasses and a "dry creekbed" which is an Asian garden design element. I may have a palm tree planted, but I don't know yet.

Here are some pots that will be used. I have also already purchased some Asian statuary; a Buddha and lantern. I'll hang white lights to promote the feeling of a garden sanctuary.

This isn't going to happen overnight, but I'm blogging it to demonstrate the progress. I don't expect to break ground until March.