I'm Using the Japanese Philosophy of Hanami to Rethink How to Plant a Garden for Spring

It's the season when London's streets and gardens are flanked by beautiful blossoming trees with elegant white and pink blooms. While cherry blossoms are found in some sprawling gardens, you'll also find a mix of strikingly similar magnolias and blackthorns, too. And it's these trees that brought me to the idea of hanami.

Derived from the word hana (meaning flower) and mi (translating to watch), this concept of flower viewing is a pretty idea that can be used to frame your Japanese garden.

It's not just about planting cherry blossoms. It's more about intentionally layering the trees into your garden to create a view that enchants the space throughout the flowering seasons. So, here's how to let it influence your modern garden design.

What Is the Japanese Philosophy of Hanami?

Haruko Seki, director of Studio Lasso, tells me that in Japanese culture, hanami goes beyond the appreciation of flowers. "The cherry blossom, especially the Somei Yoshino, blooms brilliantly and falls just as gracefully, embodying a quiet acceptance of impermanence. This ephemeral beauty resonates with a deeper sensibility — an awareness that life, like the blossom, is both precious and transient," she notes.

"In a British garden, this philosophy can be expressed by creating moments that are intentionally fleeting — seasonal highlights that are not meant to last, inviting us to pause, observe, and find beauty in change rather than permanence."

Kat Aul Cervoni, landscape designer and founder of Staghorn Living, says that the Japanese tradition of hanami centers around slowing down and making time to enjoy the magical moment in spring when all the cherry blossoms (sakura) are in bloom.

Having previously lived in Tokyo, she recounts: "People gather in parks, hang lanterns in the trees, and picnic well into the night amidst the flowering cherry trees — soaking in and celebrating their striking and ephemeral beauty."

Aside from being a great idea to bring spring to your patio, this concept will also help you create a gardenscape that feels perfectly framed for long evenings al fresco.

Haruko Seki

Haruko Seki is a Japanese garden designer and a UK-qualified landscape architect. After gaining her dual qualifications, she founded Studio Lasso in 2005 and has since collaborated with artists and designers from around the world. She has participated in domestic and international competitions since 2000 and has received numerous awards, including those from the Chelsea Flower Show (2007 & 2008), GWC Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki (2012), the Grand Gold Award at the Shenzhen International Flower Show (2023), and the Judge’s Award at the SGLD Awards (2025). Haruko has also been invited to give lectures in the UK, Japan, and Italy, and was a visiting professor at Tokyo Zokei University from 2014 to 2021.

How Does It Work?

"Firstly, there are many flowering cherry trees that are wonderful options for including in the garden, but take note that many of these can get quite large and dense, so space is important. They also prefer full sun and soil that leans moist, so choose a site accordingly," she advises.

"The 'Kanzan' cherry tree has bubblegum pink double blooms that coat the tree in color. This particular variety grows quite wide, but if space allows, incorporate one into your lawn so that later you can sit under its generous branches and picnic just as the Japanese do during hanami."

If you have a small garden, this Dwarf Patio Prunus Kanzan Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree from Direct Plants is a space-saving alternative that lets you enjoy the dreamy spring blossoms.

Kat also recommends this Prunus 'Snow Showers' Weeping Fuji Cherry from Crocus, with white blooms and dark pink centers, which is another lovely garden option.

"One of the most quintessential flowering cherry trees is the 'Yoshino' cherry with the palest pink flowers," she adds. "These truly glow when they're in bloom, especially at night when lit with traditional Japanese lanterns."

If you love the idea of these elegant blooms, this Prunus 'Ivensii' Yoshino Cherry Tree from Gardeners Dream is ideal. But it's not just about picking the right trees. It's also about implementing it into your garden with careful thought.

Since hanami is all about taking in the beauty of your efforts in bloom, locating the tree in a space that allows you to view it from a variety of angles is essential. Perhaps that's a garden corner, or maybe front and center. This depends on your personal space.

You can also lean into this year's outdoor furniture trends and design a seating nook for you to eye your beautiful cherry blossoms throughout spring. And to calm the space, you can take more inspiration from Japanese landscaping to create a zen garden around your flower-ridden trees.

Kat Aul Cervoni

Landscape designer, Katherine 'Kat' Aul Cervoni, is the founder and principal of Staghorn Living. Kat creates outdoor spaces that become natural extensions of a home’s interior. A member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, she also mentors young plant enthusiasts and upcoming designers.

Japanese Garden Essentials

FAQs

When Is the Best Time to Plant Cherry Blossoms?

The best time to plant bare-root cherry blossom trees is during the dormant period. Typically, this falls between early November and the end of March. However, if you're planting pre-grown trees, like this Pink Autumn Cherry Blossom from Crocus, you can plant it at any point in the year, aside from the peak of winter.

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