The Poem Card Garden (Japanese Style Garden)

This Japanese style garden was the private garden of Nick Alderson and family and was located on his previous property in Mount Larcom, QLD. This garden represents the other side of the coin to complex English style gardens. Just as the English style garden depends on its symmetrical layout for its structure, so the Poem Card Garden relies on its asymmetry.

The garden is essentially abstract in nature, consisting of relatively few elements, gravel, stone, Zoysia grass and low hedging (Syzygium). The garden, which is rectangular in shape, is designed to be viewed from a number of different locations. Access around the space is afforded by cobble stone pathways.

The main viewing area is from a raised position at one end which provides a long view of the space, encompassing a carpet of grass and sea of gravel, bordered by a low hedge. A cairn of small river stones which serves as both an informal sculptural piece and water feature is located at the end of the viewing axis. This feature is particularly effective at night when backlighting creates a striking interplay between water and light. Early morning and evening are the best times of day to view this garden when it’s quiet simplicity evokes a strong sense of peacefulness.

This garden is heavily influenced by the tradition of Japanese garden design. This garden was constructed following a visit to Japan in 2001.