Gardens and hedges with ground cover

Author: Suzuki Osamu Kazuo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features:
Title: Hedge and Ground Cover
Author: Publisher: BaTong Group
Standard Number:
Publish Date: 2002.3
Printing Date:
Book Number: 780662158X
Format: 16K
People desire to have a house while also having a piece of land around it. Just as houses are separated from the external environment by outer walls, this small piece of land is usually enclosed by fences, walls, or hedges to prevent external interference. Often, part of the land is arranged as a garden, with plants that are both ornamental and edible, creating a natural environment at the doorstep.
A hedge, also known as a "living fence," is difficult to trace back to when and how it replaced ordinary walls and fences. It may have originated from early gardeners who marked lines on the ground and inserted small branches cut from nearby shrubs along these lines to demarcate their land. These inserted branches eventually developed roots and grew into what we now call "hedges." Alternatively, hedges may have formed from people intentionally transplanting wild plants of suitable size around the garden perimeter or by directly sowing seeds.
Hedges are composed of living plants and are entirely different from walls built with soil or stones, or fences made of wood or bamboo. The greenery and beauty of hedges provide a pleasing visual experience. Although maintaining hedges requires some effort, planting them costs less money and labor than building walls or fences. Additionally, people can immerse themselves in the greenery and derive joy from observing the growth of hedge plants.
After the 1978 earthquake in Japan, the value of hedges was recognized. This was because brick walls were prone to collapsing and causing injuries during the earthquake. Furthermore, hedges are vibrant, permeable, and natural, leading many municipal authorities to begin providing guidance on hedge cultivation and maintenance.
In this book, Mr. Suzuki's (Osamu Suzuki) photographs reflect the current state of hedge landscapes in Japan. After the 1996 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, I was once again reminded of the promotional value of hedges through Mr. Suzuki's sketches. Mr. Suzuki also describes other types of ornamental plants that are widely cultivated in Japan and accepted by gardeners.
Traditional gardens are often planted with various trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses, and frequently feature stone-paved paths and platforms. In recent years, ground cover plants have been increasingly used in gardens. Ground covers are also employed along urban areas and highways as a means of enhancing green landscapes. Similar developments have been seen in the use of vine plants to cover surfaces, gardens, and building walls.