Top 10 Perennial Plants & Garden Companions for Stone Basins

Main Points

• Stone basins, or tsukubai, are a central feature in Japanese gardens, and the right perennials can accentuate their beauty.

• Mosses are perfect for creating a calming green carpet in damp, shaded areas around stone basins.

• Perennial flowers and ground covers like Hostas and Japanese Iris add texture and vibrant colors to the garden.

• Ferns and grasses such as Japanese Painted Fern and Japanese Forest Grass bring elegance and year-round appeal.

The tsukubai has a long history in Japanese culture, traditionally used for ritual cleansing before tea ceremonies. Today, they serve as a centerpiece in many gardens, symbolizing purity and tranquility. To truly honor this tradition, it’s crucial to select plants that complement the stone basin or tsukubai, blending seamlessly with its design and purpose.

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1) Mosses: The Serene Green Blanket

The image of a Japanese garden often conjures up the verdant green of moss. Mosses flourish in the shade, giving life to spaces where other plants may find it hard to survive. They smooth the rough edges of stone basins, making them seem as though they’ve been there for hundreds of years.

Discovering Various Kinds of Moss for Shady and Damp Locations

There are various kinds of moss you may want to consider for your garden:

• Hair Cap Moss, which has a star-shaped growth, loves partial shade and moist soil.

• Sheet Moss, which is great for creating a seamless green carpet around your tsukubai.

• Peat Moss, which retains moisture well, is perfect for keeping a green look.

  
  

  For more detailed guidance on ‘Japanese Garden Moss’ , consider exploring our detailed guide here.

  
  

2) Choosing Hostas for Rich Foliage and Varied Colors

Hostas are the underappreciated stars of the shaded garden, their rich foliage spreading out like a green carpet. Their leaves come in a variety of colors, from deep greens to stunning variegations of white, gold, and blue, making them a visual treat. But hostas aren’t just pretty to look at; they’re also hardy, easy to care for, and ideal for filling the gaps around your stone basin with little effort.

For more information on ‘Foliage & Flowers in Japanese gardens’, explore our detailed guide here.

3) Maple Trees: The backbone of any Japanese garden

Japanese Maples come in many forms, but dwarf or weeping varieties like ‘Crimson Queen’ or ‘Tamukeyama’ are a good fit for stone basins. These varieties have a lovely shape and won’t overwhelm the basin. Pick a variety that changes its hue throughout the year to keep your garden looking lively.

4) Japanese Iris: The Perfect Plant for Moist Soils and Vibrant Blooms

Japanese Iris are the superstars of the water’s edge. Their beautiful blooms, in shades of purple, blue, and white, add a splash of color to your garden. They love the wet soil near your stone basin, thriving in the moisture that other plants avoid. Plant them, and watch them grow to over three feet, their flowers a riot of color each spring.

5) Liriope: A Burst of Flowers and Texture

Liriope, also known as Lilyturf, is a garden’s gem. It’s a versatile ground cover that provides texture and a burst of late-summer flowers. Liriope is robust, tolerating a range of conditions from drought to shade. It’s perfect for edging the areas around your stone basin, forming a neat, grass-like border that sets off other plantings.

6) Creeping Jenny for a Waterfall of Greenery Over Stone

Creeping Jenny, with its cascading habit and bright chartreuse leaves, is a joy. It spills over the edges of your stone basin, softening its edges and blending it into the garden. It’s a plant that asks for little, requiring only a touch of water and a bit of sun to keep it content.

7) Hakone Grass: The Perfect Shade Garden

Grasses are an essential part of any shade garden, and they are a must-have if you want to bring an elegant atmosphere to your stone basin. They add a sense of movement and elegance, with their blades and fronds swaying in the wind.

For a more comprehensive list of ‘Japanese garden Grass’, check out here.

8) The Japanese Painted Fern: A Beautiful Display of Color and Shape

The Japanese Painted Fern is a masterpiece in its own right. The fronds of this plant are a beautiful blend of gray, blue, and red, providing a feast for the eyes. This fern thrives in the dappled light that is found near your stone basin. The colors of this plant become more vibrant when it is in the shade. It is a low-growing plant, making it perfect for placing at the base of taller plants. This creates a beautiful contrast.

For more information on ‘Types of Ferns Used in Japanese Gardens’, explore our detailed guide here.

9) Water Lilies Add a Touch of Elegance and Provide Shade

Water Lilies are the gems of the water garden, their blossoms floating peacefully on the surface. They’re more than just beautiful; their large leaves provide shade to the water, keeping it cool and preventing algae growth. If your stone basin is deep enough, you can plant them directly in it, or in containers that are submerged below the surface.

10) Using Hornwort to Purify and Oxygenate Water

Hornwort is a submerged plant that is excellent at purifying water. It absorbs the nutrients that would otherwise feed algae, keeping your water clear. It also oxygenates the water, which is essential for any aquatic life you may have. Just throw a few stems into your stone basin, and they’ll take care of the rest, growing and spreading to create a submerged forest.

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Connect with a plant expert for personalized guidance. Schedule your free consultation here!

Design Advice

When designing a garden with a stone basin as the focal point, the goal is to create a balanced, peaceful space. Here are some tips to help you achieve that: Consider incorporating elements of Japanese garden design to enhance the tranquility and aesthetic appeal of your garden.

• Take into account the view from various perspectives and use your plant selections to create focal points.

• Use a mix of plant heights, textures, and colors to add interest without making the space feel crowded.

• Give plants space to grow and fill in over time, which will give your garden a relaxed, natural feel.

• Think about how movement flows through your garden and create paths that encourage exploration.

• Keep the concept of ‘wabi-sabi‘ in mind, which is about embracing imperfection and the natural cycle of growth and decay.

If you follow these tips, your garden will not only be a pleasure to look at, but it will also be a peaceful sanctuary that changes gracefully over time.

Commonly Asked Questions

We will now answer some frequently asked questions about planting near stone basins in Japanese gardens.

How to Incorporate Moss Successfully in a Stone Basin Garden?

To incorporate moss in your garden, first, choose a type that suits your climate and garden conditions. Prepare the area by ensuring it’s free of weeds and debris, and maintain a consistent moisture level, especially during the establishment phase. Moss can be encouraged to attach to stones by creating a ‘slurry’ of moss fragments and buttermilk, then painting it onto the desired surfaces. Keep the area shaded, and mist regularly to maintain the damp conditions that moss loves.

What Should You Keep in Mind When Planting Azaleas?

Azaleas do best in acidic soil that drains well and is full of organic matter. They need some shade to keep their fragile blooms from getting scorched by the sun. When you plant azaleas, think about how big they’ll get so you can be sure they have enough space and won’t crowd other plants. Make sure to give them plenty of water, especially if it’s dry, so they don’t get stressed.

Is Bamboo Suitable for the Humid Microclimate Around Tsukubai?

Indeed, bamboo can flourish around stone basins because of the humid microclimate they generate. However, it is advised to select clumping varieties to avoid rampant spreading, and consider employing a root barrier to regulate growth. Bamboo thrives in well-drained soil and can withstand a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade.

Which Ground Covers Best Enhance Stone in a Japanese Garden?

Ground covers such as Creeping Jenny, Liriope, and Pachysandra are top picks for accentuating stone in a Japanese garden. They provide a range of textures and colors, are low-growing, and spread to create thick mats that emphasize the stone’s inherent appeal. Select ground covers according to the light conditions in your garden to guarantee their success and boost the serene atmosphere.