Japanese Garden Design & Installation
Authentic Japanese Garden Design for Central Pennsylvania
Japanese Garden Design Principles & Elements
Japanese garden design blends natural elements, balance, and simplicity to create peaceful outdoor spaces. Whether you are looking for Japanese garden ideas, layout inspiration, or a custom built garden in Pennsylvania, we would be delighted to partner with you.
At Hanselman Landscape and Gardens, our work begins with a dedication to learning from the world’s most revered Japanese garden builders. Serving Lancaster County, Philadelphia’s Main Line, and surrounding areas, we design immersive landscapes inspired by centuries-old traditions—creating gardens that invite peace, harmony, and quiet reflection.
Japanese Garden Project Work
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A Japanese-inspired backyard garden 
A natural stone nobedan path meanders through garden 
A traditional Japanese courtyard garden with natural stone patio 
Hand pruning a vibrant green Japanese garden 
Developing a Japanese style garden in a woodland setting 
A hand‑carved natural‑stone tsukubai emerges from a garden tapestry 
A Japanese style flowing stream water garden 
A natural stone tsukubai
YOUR WINDOW AS A CANVAS
There is much to learn from the rich traditions of Japanese garden design, including the belief that a garden is meant to be experienced as a living environment.
We apply these principles in our work, using your windows as a frame to extend your home into breathtaking outdoor spaces—thoughtfully designed for Pennsylvania’s landscape.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE
Whether you’re taking in the brilliance of fall colors or waking to a quiet, misty morning, our goal is to create lasting natural beauty for you to experience.
Rather than focusing on individual elements alone, we shape quiet, intentional environments where you can appreciate the fleeting beauty of each moment.
CRAFT SOMETHING TRULY GRACEFUL
Respecting the Japanese concept of ma (open space) will give your garden beauty and grace. We will carefully include natural elements to create a sense of space that invokes calm and tranquility.
Because of our shared passion for serene, natural spaces, we look forward to partnering with you to create a Japanese garden you will love.
A Japanese Garden – One Gardener’s Definition
Japanese gardens weave wild horticultural beauty with elemental materials into the fabric of life on a human scale in surprisingly diverse applications. To visit gardens in Japan is to experience exceptional grace in cultivated living spaces; these gardens are treasured components of private residences and public places. As art, the Japanese garden expresses a poet’s longing for natural scenes with a painter’s framing and presentation of view. As function, the Japanese garden is space for interaction with the natural environment within the concept of home. As horticulture, plants and trees like Japanese maple trees—often available near you—are carefully chosen and pruned to bring these tranquil, timeless visions to life.
Inspirational Japanese garden photographed in person at Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace), Kyoto, Japan
The Japanese garden culture and aesthetic taste have been nurtured by centuries of deliberate value and support. The determination to fund and do the hard work of garden care makes this tradition exceptional. The resulting refined system of garden living can improve homes and communities throughout the world as naturally as in its country of origin.
~ Contributed by James Hanselman, Gardener (& Japanese Garden Designer)
Our Garden Design Process
Explore
Share your goals, ideas, and project budget and we will begin to survey and plan your garden
Design
We will consider all your primary view perspectives, both inside and out as we design your garden
Build
Your garden dream will begin to take shape at the hands of our highly skilled craftsmen and landscapers
Enjoy
Every project ends with the reward of experiencing the joyful stewardship of your little piece of creation
Testimonials
What surprised us most was how much more we love our home since Hanselman Landscape began working here! In addition to the beautiful new backyard oasis they created, they are here regularly to care for our plants, turning existing shrubs that we thought were worthless into beautiful, valuable specimens.
Our needs were to have as much privacy as possible from neighboring homes. Everything was done to perfection. This was the first time in a while (even with building a new home) that we gave the job to someone and never, ever had to go over again and again what was to be done.
Words do not serve well to express the sense of serenity and pleasure which your fine work evokes. I would liken the feeling to that of walking alone through a great museum.
I can’t even put into words how much I love my new yard. Hanselman Landscape did an outstanding job–changing an ugly piece of land into a serene and beautiful garden. The workmanship of Hanselman Landscape’s employees is of the highest quality.
Hanselman Landscape has helped us re-landscape our property over the past 3 years. James has a way of guiding you through your own garden, taking in the vantage points, and uncovering your vision (even though you didn’t know you had one)!
We liked the way James (Hanselman) explained and introduced the suggested plantings, actually showing us leaf samples. We needed and appreciated his guidance. Thanks for adding to our enjoyment of our home with your creative landscaping.
The Gardener’s Journal
Seasonal advice, reflections, and care tips from the team at Hanselman Landscape:
- Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Resolving to stay healthy in this new year, James and I are regularly pulling on our winter boots… Read more: Walking in a Winter Wonderland - NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: We will continue to prioritize outside play!This past year, James and I had some amazing outside play opportunities in our own garden and in… Read more: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: We will continue to prioritize outside play!
- JanuaryJanuary opensThe box of the yearAnd brings out daysThat are bright and clearAnd brings out daysThat are cold… Read more: January
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE OF HANSELMAN LANDSCAPE AND GARDENS
Founded in 1985, Hanselman Landscape & Gardens designs, builds, and nurtures a wide variety of gardens in both private and corporate settings. From our headquarters in Manheim, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout the region, including Philadelphia’s Main Line—and as far away as Cambridge, Massachusetts. We also cultivate unique specimen plants, which we make available to discriminating gardeners and architects.