In Japan there are very beautiful plants, which look great in a garden or even on a patio. Trees such as the Japanese cherry, or shrubs such as camellias, are just two of the examples that we are going to show you below.
And it is that with Japanese plants it is possible to have a piece of Japanese nature in any region. You just have to choose those that best suit our climate and soil.
Camphor tree (Cinnamom camphora)
El camphor tree It is an evergreen tree that grows in the warm region of Japan. Reaches a height of 20 meters, with a glass of about 5 meters. In addition, it produces yellowish panicle flowers in spring. It is one of those plants that should be planted alone, in a special place in the garden, but at a minimum distance of ten meters from the pool and where there are pipes. Resists up to -7ºC.
Japan larch (Larix kaempferi)
The Japanese larch or Japanese larch is a deciduous conifer that grows up to 40 meters high with a trunk that does not exceed one meter in diameter. Its crown is conical and measures about 4 meters in diameter. The leaves are acicular, glaucous green, but turn yellowish in autumn. Slow growing, this is an ideal tree for large gardens with acidic soils. Supports up to -20ºC.
Japanese alder (alnus japonica)
The Japanese alder is a fast-growing deciduous tree that reaches 30 meters in height. The trunk is usually thin, about 40 centimeters thick at most, with smooth bark and a branched crown from which oval green leaves sprout. It likes both direct sun and semi-shade, and supports up to -18ºC.
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
El japanese maple It is a tree or shrub in high demand by lovers of Japanese gardens, bonsai and, also, by collectors. There are different varieties and even more cultivars, which they can measure from 1 to 16 meters in height. Its leaves are palmately lobed, and form a pyramidal cup. In spring and / or autumn they turn reddish, purple, orange, ... They require a soil with a low pH, between 4 to 6, shade or semi-shade, and a temperate climate. They support up to -18ºC.
Azalea (rhododendron japonicum)
La azalea It is a nice evergreen or deciduous shrub depending on whether it is of the Tsutsuji or Pentanthera variety, which reaches a height of one meter approximately. It is very floriferous, producing many pink, red or white flowers throughout the spring. But it is a plant that needs acid soils and mild climates with very weak frosts down to -2ºC.
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
La camellia It is an evergreen plant that can be had both as a shrub and as a tree. In its natural state it can measure up to 11 meters, but in cultivation it is rare that it exceeds 6 meters. Its leaves are glossy dark green, and it blooms in spring producing good-sized pink flowers. You need acidic soils, as well as a partial shade exposure. Resists up to -4ºC.
Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata)
El japanese cherry It is a deciduous tree widely used in ornamental gardening. It grows to a height of approximately 7 meters, and with the passage of time it develops a wide and delicately branched crown. Its pink or whitish flowers sprout in spring, before the leaves do. It looks good in any area of the garden, although it is important not to put large plants near it. Otherwise, it resists up to -18ºC.
Japanese cryptocurrency (japonica cryptomeria)
La Japanese cryptocurrency or sugi as it is also called, it is an evergreen coifer that reaches 70 meters in height. Its trunk is very thick, up to 4 meters in diameter, and it usually branches a great distance from the ground. For this reason, it is interesting to grow it in rows, but planting the specimens at least 1 meter apart from each other, or as an isolated tree. It resists up to -18ºC, and needs a slightly acidic soil, as well as some shade.
Japanese beech (fagus crenata)
The Japanese beech or buna is a deciduous tree typical of Japanese deciduous forests. Its height is 35 meters, and has a round-shaped crown and simple, green leaves that turn yellowish or orange during the fall before falling. It adapts quite well to living both as a solitary and in groups, so it can be planted in a line to mark a path, or as a single tree. Of course, it requires soils with a low pH since it fears calcareous. Supports up to -18ºC.
Mountain peony (Paeonia obovata)
The mountain peony is a perennial plant that grows about 40 centimeters tall. Its flowers have white petals, and they bloom from spring to early summer. It is widely used in rockery, and as a potted plant. Put it in semi-shade, with rich, well-draining soil. Resists up to -7ºC.
Siberian dwarf pine (Pinus pumila)
El siberian dwarf pine is an evergreen conifer that grows in northeast Asia, including Japan. Reaches a height of 1 to 3 meters, and has a rounded crown formed by long green needles. Due to its size, it can be potted or in a small garden without problems. It supports very well intense frosts, down to -30ºC, maybe even more. But yes, it needs a mild to cold climate to be able to grow in conditions.
Which of these Japanese plants did you like the most?