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Fountains
In creating fountains and cascades for your Japanese garden, make arrangements for a continuous supply of flowing water. In a simple gravity-fed fountain, a water supply tank is placed at a level much higher than that of the fountain. It is connected through a feed pipe to the fountain, fixed water tight, in the middle of a trough. When a tap next to the supply tank is opened the water flows down the pipe, only to escape through a small orifice on top of the fountain. The pressure caused by the height of the supply tank makes the water spray out of the fountain orifice or jet. The water first collects in the trough and then overflows into another tank through an overflow pipe located below the upper edge of the trough. This arrangement is impractical for fountains or cascades, since there is no provision for water re-circulation. For a complete unit, a small pump needs to be incorporated in the system for re-circulating the water. Pumps are rather expensive items and with a little mechanical ingenuity, a simple siphon arrangement can be made to functional to solve the problem and save costs.
Cascades and Waterfalls
Captivating waterfalls and cascades for Japanese gardens can be created in a variety of shapes and styles, some imitating the Niagara Falls or a small rivulet flowing out from a grotto. All arrangements for the supply and recirculation of the water should be concealed. The cascade or watercourse should be made of concrete, taking care that it is waterproof and with the use of a strong wooden frame as a base and fine mesh wire netting nailed or stapled to the top. Concrete prepared from fresh gravel is thrown on top of this in small quantities, creating a rough structure resembling a hill or rocky terrain. Before the concrete cures, throw in some small stones that will stick on and appear like rocks. The entire external surface should be dull and rough to give the desired appearance of a rocky surface.
Aquaria
The water from the cascade or waterfall can be made to fall over glass screens, behind which would be housed marine grottos lit up with concealed colored lights. A naturalistic hillside built around the aquarium would fit into the theme and complete the beauty of the miniature cascade garden.
Bog Gardens
A swamp can be made in a dish by mixing sphagnum moss with crushed charcoal and some peat. Saturated with water, this provides compost for most plants to grow. A Bog gardener needs to have sufficient knowledge about different kinds of soil to suit different varieties of plants and an exposure to the careful arrangement of the plants in particular positions for your Japanese garden.
Plants for Bog and Water Gardens
There are limited plants that are suited to grow in the clear water. An inch of loam, which is a mixture of sand, silt and clay, is placed in the pool, with at least three inches of water on top. Some apt plants for bog or water gardens would be Hydrocharus norsus ranae, Azolla caroliniana, Hottonia and Fontinalis. It would be a good idea to seek the advice of an experienced gardener before attempting the designing or transplanting of your Japanese garden.