One of the Japanese garden concepts we prize and put into practice in every garden we create is the concept of an inside-out perspective. In other words, we begin to create a garden by first sitting in the favorite seat of the home owner and looking out at the area we will shape outside their windows.

It is our desire to build gardens that will increase value for those who live inside the home, bringing beauty into their lives whether they are sitting inside looking out or outside strolling along a garden path.

When so many gardens in our area are built with the goal of providing curb appeal to passers-by, our priority is the viewing pleasure of the people who live there.

The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego, provides a great example of this inside-out perspective, as seen in this delightful garden built for those inside looking out.

Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& inside-out garden dweller)