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Where can I get information on starting a japanese garden in Australia?

I would like to get some information on japanese gardening and what plants are suitable for the Melbourne climate. The space I have is courtyard size and I would like to include either a water feature or an alternative. Thanks!

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1. Always research your project first then plan your work and work you plan. Decide what type of garden as far as aesthetics and how big and usually always include a water feature either a waterfall or pond. Japanese Maples are quite expensive, I always try to buy at the end of the season for a big price reduction like up to 75% off. Look for bargains if this is a DIY! Japanese Maples usually don't tolerate a hot direct sun so providing some shade if the location is direct sun will help. Also always try to protect the trees from a cold northerly wind, although I'm not sure if it gets that cold in Melbourne. the use of ornamental grasses and clumping bamboo are good plants also black pine. Just read about bamboo befor planting any. Running bamboo is highly invasive. Clumping is more spreading but won't take over your space or the neighbors yard space. With running you must put in a rhizome barrier about 3 feet deep of pre-made barrriers.Read link below has list of various types of bamboo and the suitable temperatures. http://www.bamboos.com/choose.html Just start taking tour of the nurserys in your area for more plant information. Hope some of this has helped. I just planted 35seeds (3 different types) of Japanese Maples from seeds I ordered from Canada. MISSOURI USA Below are some helpful videos and links Beyond serving as a relaxing retreat, Japanese gardens have several other purposes. First, they attempt to reflect nature in a miniaturized form. Thus, all the elements in the garden will contain parts of the environment in a naturally occurring way. Rocks, water, and various plants and trees are incorporated into the microcosm so that even in major cities, nature is always nearby. Although they are designed to be strolled in and enjoyed, they require little space because their properties can be scaled down. This leads to the second element of the Japanese garden: symbolism. Because of the lack of space in most gardens, it is necessary to mimic naturally occurring landmarks on a smaller scale. In order to design an authentic Japanese garden, a few key elements should be incorporated into the landscape. The first of these are rocks, which are usually placed before any other details in the garden. Rocks of various sizes, shapes, and textures are carefully laid out around the property. Rather than being scattered randomly, they are mindfully positioned to serves as focal points and to provide balance. Another necessary part of an Asian garden is water, whether in the form of a small pond or a waterfall. offers added tranquility to the area. To enforce the solitude of the space, it is a good idea to add a privacy fence, possibly with tiny openings to allow others a look into your sanctuary. http://www.essortment.com/home/japanesegarden_syty.htm Take tour of Japaneses Gardens for ideas http://koi-z-are-us.20m.com/ home page http://www.mygarden.net.au/home-garden.php?id=4609&page=&name=japanese Growing Japanese Maples/Videos http://www.articlesbase.com/videos/5min/77380727 How to Incorporate a Pond in Your Garden http://www.articlesbase.com/videos/5min/18630152 How to Grow Japanese Weeping Cherry Trees http://www.articlesbase.com/videos/5min/18630193 How to Prune a Japanese Maple http://www.articlesbase.com/videos/5min/35462152 How to Find the Right Japanese Maple http://www.articlesbase.com/videos/5min/3635723
2. I found enough information on the net to do my own. I live in a heavy frost area - so choosing plants was a priority. I did a search on Japanese gardens. There's tonnes of info out there. In regards to water, it is a major part of the garden concept - but it doesn't have to be a huge pond or anything. The basic concept is to recreate nature in your back yard. It doesn't have to be big either, mine is circular, approx 3 m in diameter.
3. Great plants for a Japanese Garden; Japanese gardens emphasise garden structure and plant form as more important than flowers and mass borders of colour. In fact there is a principle of ‘less is more’ Individual trees or shrubs pruned can therefore become the dominant features of a garden. Tall plants: Himilayan magnolia (Michelia champaca) Bamboos (see below) Japanese maples (Acer palmatum ... best effects are created in cooler areas of Australia) (Can order a very wide range of Maples) Conifers (care is needed in selection for local climate) Shrubs:Camellia Azalea Coprosma Sacred Bamboo (Nandina domestica) Irises Good Clumping Bamboos Timor Black (Bambusa lako) Slender Weavers’ Bamboo (Bambusa textiles var. ‘Gracilis’) Buddha’s Belly (Bambusa ventricosa) Himalayan Weeping Bamboo (Drepanostachyum falcatum) Murray Island Bamboo (Schizostachyum sp. ‘Murray Island’)