Plants for a Japanese Garden in Michigan: Trees, Shrubs & Flowers Selection

Pine Varieties

Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine)

Zones 5-9

Native to Japan, red-brown bark, long needles in clusters of two

20-40 feet tall by 20-35 feet wide

Pinus parviflora (Japanese White Pine)

Zones 5-8

Elegant, slow-growing tree with blue-green needles in bundles of five

20-50 feet tall by 15-25 feet wide

Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine)

Zones 5-9

Coastal native, dark green needles, rugged appearance

20-60 feet tall by 15-35 feet wide

Juniperus Varieties

Juniperus chinensis (Hollywood Juniper)

Zones 4-9

Unique, irregularly shaped juniper with twisted branches and blue-green foliage

6-15 feet tall by 3-5 feet wide

Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper)

Zones 6-9

Dense evergreen shrub found along sand dunes and rocky seashores in Japan

1-2 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide

Cedar and Cypress Varieties

Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea (Chabo-hiba/Kamakura-hiba)

Zones 4-8

Dwarf form of Japanese hinoki cypress, compact and slow-growing

3 feet tall by 2 feet wide

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Plumosa’ (Nikko-hiba/Shinobu-hiba)

Zones 4-8

Dwarf garden cultivar of Japanese sawara cypress, tolerant of hard pruning, used for topiary and hedges

6-10 feet tall by 4-6 feet wide

Cryptomeria japonica (Sugi)

Zones 5-9

Tall, conical evergreen tree with reddish-brown bark and scale-like leaves

50-70 feet tall by 20-30 feet wide

Exotic Conifers

Sciadopitys verticillata (Umbrella Pine)

Zones 5-7

Unique umbrella-like appearance, dark green needles in whorls

30-50 feet tall by 15-25 feet wide

Taxus cuspidata (Japanese Yew)

Zones 4b-7a

Dark green foliage, red berries, tolerant of shade and pruning

10-20 feet tall by the same width

Thujopsis dolobrata (Hiba-arborvitae)

Zones 5b-7a

Conical shape, aromatic foliage, reddish-brown bark

30-50 feet tall by the same width

Ilex pedunculosa (long-stalk holly; soyogo)

Upright habit with both male and female plants needed for red autumn berries

5

Up to 6m (20ft)

Prefers moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil; full sun to partial shade; tolerant of air pollution and some sea-air

Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple/Three-toothed Maple)

5-8

Known for tri-lobed leaves, glossy green above, turning red, orange, and yellow in autumn. Small greenish-yellow flowers and samaras. Bark is gray-brown with orange, exfoliating. Drought resistant.

Height: 20-45, Spread: 25

Acer capillipes (Snake-bark Maple)

5-8

Distinctive striped bark resembling a snake’s skin. Green leaves turning yellow or red in fall.

Height: 20-30, Spread: 20-30

Acer cissifolium (Ivy-leaved Maple/Ash-leaved Maple)

5-7

Compound leaves resembling ash or ivy, good yellow to red fall color.

Height: 20-30, Spread: 15-25

Acer japonicum (Full Moon Maple)

5-7

Large round leaves, spectacular fall colors from gold to crimson.

Height: 15-25, Spread: 15-25

Acer maximowiczianum (Nikko Maple)

5-7

Large leaves with yellow to red fall color.

Height: 30-40, Spread: 20-30

Acer mono (Painted Maple)

5-7

Variegated leaves with white or pink splashes.

Height: 30-40, Spread: 30-40

Acer palmatum (Iroha-momiji)

5-8

Variety of leaf shapes and colors, stunning fall coloration.

Height: 6-25, Spread: 6-25

Acer rufinerve (Grey Snake-bark Maple/Red Vein Maple)

5-7

Grey bark with white stripes and red-veined leaves.

Height: 20-30, Spread: 20-30

Acer shirasawanum (Golden Full Moon Maple/Golden Shirasawa Maple)

5-7

Unique leaf shape with excellent yellow to red fall color.

Height: 15-25, Spread: 15-25

Acer sieboldianum (Ko-uchiwa-kaede)

4-7

Deeply lobed leaves with bright red fall color.

Height: 15-20, Spread: 10-15

Cherry Varieties

Prunus cerasoides var. rubra (Kanbi-zakura)

Zones 5-8

Taiwan Cherry, Medium-sized tree

20-30 feet tall

Prunus incisa (Fuji Cherry)

Zones 5-8

Fuji Cherry, Small tree

15-20 feet tall

Prunus sargentii (Sargent Cherry)

Zones 4-7

Sargent Cherry, Medium-sized tree

Typically grows to about 25-35 feet tall

Prunus cerasoides var. rubra (Kanbi-zakura)

Zones 5-8

Taiwan Cherry, Medium-sized tree

20-30 feet tall

Prunus incisa (Fuji Cherry)

Zones 5-8

Fuji Cherry, Small tree

15-20 feet tall

Prunus sargentii (Sargent Cherry)

Zones 4-7

Sargent Cherry, Medium-sized tree

Typically grows to about 25-35 feet tall

Magnolia Varieties

Magnolia kobus (Kobushi)

Zones 5-8

Kobushi Magnolia, Deciduous tree with white, fragrant flowers in early spring

Can reach 25-50 feet in height

Magnolia liliflora (Shi-mokuren)

Zones 5-8

Lily Magnolia/Mulan Magnolia, Deciduous shrub with large, showy purple flowers in late spring

Typically grows 8-12 feet tall

Magnolia obovata (Japanese Big-Leaf Magnolia)

Zones 5-8

Japanese Big-Leaf Magnolia, Large deciduous tree with huge leaves and white flowers

Can grow up to 80 feet tall

Juniperus chinensis var. procumbens (Hai-byakushin)

Zones 4 to 9

Low-growing juniper, spreading habit, used as ground cover

Generally 1 to 2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide

Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda)

Zones 5 to 8

Evergreen shrub, bell-shaped flowers, attractive foliage

Typically 9 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)

4-8

Thorny, dense, rounded shrub; good autumn color; resistant to deer browsing; drought and air pollution tolerant

Height: 3-6 feet; Width: 4-7 feet; Prune two or three times a year to maintain size and shape; mid-spring, late summer, and autumn

Disanthus cercidifolius (Redbud Hazel)

5-8

Rounded shrub; heart-shaped leaves turning burgundy, orange, and crimson in autumn

Height: 6-10 feet; Minimal pruning required; can be done to shape as desired

Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus)

4-8

Dense shrub; bright fall color; invasive in the US

Height: 5-15 feet; Width: 5-15 feet; Generally minimal pruning is required unless controlling size or shape

Euonymus oxyphyllus (Korean Spindle Tree)

4-8

Slow-growing, upright tree; small white flowers in spring; gaudy seed heads in autumn

Height: Up to 8 feet; Minimum pruning required, remove over-long branches when the plant is dormant

Ilex serrata (Japanese Winterberry)

5-9

Slow-growing, bushy with purple stems; female trees produce red berries

Height: Up to 9 feet; No pruning needed except to reduce long spurs

Salix gracilistyla (Rosegold Pussy Willow)

5-9

Waterside willow; fluffy gray catkins

Minimum pruning required

Corylopsis spicata (Tosa-mizuki, Spike Winter Hazel)

Zones 5-8

Deciduous shrub with slender, pendant racemes of lemon-yellow flowers in March and April.

1 to 2.5 meters (4 to 8 feet) height, 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) spread

Deutzia gracilis (Japanese Snow Flower, Hime-utsugi)

Zones 5-8

Bushy, upright shrub with white, fragrant flowers in spring. Compact growth.

Up to 1 meter (approximately 3 feet)

Exochorda racemosa (Common Pearlbush, Rikyubai)

Zones 5-8

Deciduous shrub with delicate, scented, white flowers in late April to May.

Up to 4.5 meters (15 feet), can be kept compact

Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Lacecap Hydrangea, Hortensia)

Zones 5-9

Includes lacecap and mophead forms. Flower color changes with soil pH.

1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6 feet 7 inches)

Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea, Peegee Hydrangea)

Zones 4-7

Fast-growing shrub with large, conical flower heads.

Up to 3 meters (9 feet 9 inches)

Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria, Japanese Rose)

Zones 4-9

Bright yellow single or double flowers in spring.

2 x 2.5 meters (6 feet 6 inches x 8 feet)

Lespedeza bicolor (Japanese Bush Clover, Yama-hagi)

Zones 5-8

Tiny purple-pink flowers at the end of summer and in autumn, weeping branches.

1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6 feet 7 inches)

Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony, Moutan; Botan)

Zones 4-8

Deciduous shrub with large, beautiful flowers and shallow roots.

Up to 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches)

Rhododendron yakushimanum (Yakushima Rhododendron)

Typically Zones 5-8

Evergreen rhododendrons with big leathery leaves, slow-growing.

Up to 4 meters (13 feet)

Spiraea thunbergii (Baby’s Breath Spirea, Breath-of-Spring Spirea, Yuki-yanagi)

Zones 4-8

Flowers in early spring with trailing branches.

1 to 1.5 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 5 feet)

Viburnum furcatum (Forked Viburnum, Scarlet-leaved Viburnum, Mushikari)

Zones 5-9

Deciduous shrub with scented white flowers in May and good autumn color.

Up to 3.5 meters (11 feet 2 inches)

Viburnum phlebotrichum (Otoko-yozome)

Zone 5

Small white flowers, leaves turn crimson in autumn.

Up to 2.5 meters (8 feet)

Viburnum plicatum (Japanese Snowball, Odemari)

Zones 5-8

Deciduous shrub with large, spherical white flowerheads.

Up to 3 meters (9 feet 9 inches)

Carex hachijoensis (Evergold Sedge)

An evergreen sedge with creamy yellow and green variegated foliage, tufted and adaptable to various light conditions

30 cm x 35 cm (1′ x 1’2″)

Zones 5-10

Light trimming in late winter/early spring, prefers moist well-drained soil, pest and disease resistant

Hakonechloa macra (Aureola)

A variegated Japanese forest grass with bright gold leaves and green stripes, red-tinted in autumn

36 cm x 40 cm (1’2½” x 1’4″)

Zones 5-9

Consistent moisture, slow grower, prefers partial shade, pest and disease-free, deer resistant

Imperata cylindrica (Japanese blood grass)

A grass with distinctive blood-red leaf tips, more controlled and garden-friendly than the species

Up to 50 cm long leaves

Zones 5-9

Minimal maintenance, prefers full sun to partial shade, moist well-drained soil

Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass)

Culturally significant in Japan, but recognized as an invasive species

Not specified

Not specified

Consider non-invasive alternatives due to its invasive nature

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhlygrass)

Known for its superb pink flower plumes in autumn, thrives in sandy or rocky well-drained soils, full sun

Up to 90 cm (3′)

Zones 5-9

Minimal maintenance, prefers full sun

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

A medium-sized grass that adds vertical interest and is disease-free, useful for erosion control

Up to 1.2 meters (4′)

Zones 3-9

Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring

Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)

Tall, clump-forming, adaptable to various soil types, drought-tolerant

90 to 150 cm (3 to 5′)

Zones 4-9

Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)

Scented flowers late summer to early autumn, native to North America, fine-textured foliage

60 to 90 cm (2 to 3′)

Zones 3-9

Drought-tolerant once established, minimal maintenance, prefers well-drained soils

Hosta spp. (Plantain Lily; Giboshi)

Versatile perennials with a wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, producing tall spikes of flowers in summer.

Varies by species, from small to large

Varies by species, from 3 through 9 to 3 through 8

Partial to full shade, well-drained, moist soil, regular watering, mulching in spring.

Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge; Fukkiso)

Evergreen ground cover that forms dense mats of glossy leaves in whorls.

25 x 60 cm (10 in x 2 ft)

5 through 8

Partial to deep shade, slightly acidic to neutral soil, annual acid fertilizer if soil is neutral, pinch out tips for denser growth.

Arisaema thunbergii subsp. urashima (Urashima-so)

Herbaceous perennial with a unique jack-in-the-pulpit-like spathe and poisonous roots.

8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)

5 through 9

Partial to full shade, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Aster tataricus (Shion)

Tall perennial with pale, delicate lavender flowers blooming in autumn.

Up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in)

3 through 7

Moist soil, full sun, not suitable for shaded conditions.

Astilbe (Chidake-sashi)

Dwarf hybrid ‘Sprite’ with dark foliage and pale pink flower spikes in summer.

About 30 cm (1 ft) tall

4 through 8

Rich, moist soil in partial shade, consistent moisture.

Bletilla striata (Shi-ran)

Deciduous terrestrial orchid with lance-shaped leaves and bright pink flowers.

Not very tall

5 through 9

Moist, rich soil, partial shade, mulch in autumn or lift and store tubers.

Chelonopsis moschata (Jako-so)

Slow-spreading perennial with tiny, deep mauve penstemon-like flowers.

Up to 60 cm (24 in)

5 through 9

Damp conditions, partial shade.

Clintonia udensis (Tsubame-omoto)

Herbaceous, clump-forming perennial with bell-shaped white flowers in racemes.

30 x 20 cm (1 ft x 8 in)

5 through 8

Fertile, moist, neutral to acidic soil in partial or full shade.

Dicentra peregrina (Bleeding-heart; Koma-gusa)

Japanese herbaceous perennial with distinctive heart-shaped flowers. ‘King of Hearts’ cultivar has red flowers.

Not specified

5 through 9

Humus-rich, moist, slightly acidic soils in partial shade. Regular dead-heading and division every six to ten years.

Disporum smilacinum (Chigo-yuri)

Perennial with one or two pendent flowers on each stem in spring.

20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) high

4 through 8

Partial shade and consistently moist soil.

Eupatorium fortunei (Fuji-bakama)

Known for its pale lavender umbels that bloom in autumn.

1 m (3 ft 3 in)

4 through 9

Moist soil, full sun to partial shade.

Filipendula purpurea (Kyoganoko)

Forms clumps of toothed leaves and feathery crimson flowers in summer.

1.2 m x 60 cm (4 ft x 2 ft)

3 through 8

Full sun to partial shade, moist soil, suitable near water.

Gentiana makinoi (Oyama-rindo)

Herbaceous perennial with pale blue flowers in late summer.

Not specified

5 through 9

Acidic soil, full sun to partial shade, ideal for rock gardens or alpine settings.

Gymnaster savatieri (Gymnaster/Aster savatieri; Miyako-wasure)

Produces pale blue or white aster-like flowers in late season.

30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) high, 60 to 75 cm (2 to 2.5 ft) spread

5 through 7

Full sun or partial shade, adaptable to soil conditions.

Heloniopsis orientalis (Shojo-bakama)

Evergreen perennial with strap-like leaves and star-shaped flowers.

Not specified

5 through 8

Shade, moist, well-drained soil.

Hemerocallis spp. (Daylilies)

Variety of daylilies, including tawny daylily (H. fulva) with double flowers.

Not specified

4 through 9

Moist but not wet soil in full sun, some species may be invasive.

Hepatica nobilis var. japonica (Yuki-wari-so)

Semi-evergreen perennial with star-shaped purple-blue flowers in early spring.

Not specified

5 through 8

Neutral, heavy soil in partial shade, good for rock gardens, resents transplanting.

Iris sanguinea (Ayame)

Beardless iris with grass-like leaves and violet flowers.

Up to 90 cm (3 ft)

4 through 9

Moist but not wet soil in full sun.

Liriope muscari (Yabu-ran)

Evergreen perennial with pale lavender flower spikes in autumn.

Not specified

5 through 10

Well-drained soil in sun, partial shade, or shade.

Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern; Hozuki)

Known for bright orange, papery, lantern-shaped seed pods in autumn.

Not specified

3 through 9

Full sun, can spread aggressively by rhizomes.

Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower; Kikyo)

Known for purple, white, or pink flowers that bloom in early autumn or summer.

Not specified

3 through 8

Sunny, rich soil.

Polygonatum falcatum (Fragrant Solomon’s Seal; Naruko-yuri)

Produces greenish-white delicate pendulous flowers along the stem.

Not specified

4 through 8

Well-drained soil and partial shade.

Sedum alboroseum (Autumn Stonecrop; Benkei-so)

‘Mediovariegatum’ has variegated leaves and large, white flower heads in late summer.

Up to 50 cm (20 in) high, 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) spread

4 through 9

Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.

Sedum kamtschaticum (Russian Stonecrop; Kirin-so)

Creeping sedum with yellow flowers in late summer, drought-tolerant.

About 15 cm (6 in)

4 through 9

Good drainage and full sun.

Tricyrtis hirta (Toad Lily; Hototogisu)

Clump-forming perennial with spotted purple flowers in summer to early autumn.

60 to 100 cm (2 to 3 ft 3 in) high

4 through 8

Moist, slightly acidic, well-shaded conditions.