barrier/border

Who has a good idea for a barrier/border---not as much to be seen as to separate---my new Japanese garden island from the surrounding lawn (such as it is!)? In the past I have used bricks and the brown plastic stuff from the nursery, which at about 4" wide, doesn't seem to go deep enough to block the encroaching roots. And speaking of roots, I am also surrounded by large cedars, whose roots are always where I'm trying to excavate. Don't want anyone to get hurt or die, so do I go over, under, around, or through?

While we're at it, any layout ideas? The island is more or less circular, with a tall Japanese lantern right in the middle (slightly elevated). I have visited and photographed dozens of Japanese gardens in my life, but now that it's crunch time, I haven't a clue. Don't want to be too predictable or too busy. Thought I'd start in the middle and work my way out by putting some small variegated bamboo at the foot of the lantern. Don't really have just one view of the island, so will need it to look nice from various angles. I'd say I have a twelve foot diameter.

Thanks all.

Pictures always help.

All I have there now is dirt! And the lantern, and more weeds if I don't get going on the project pretty soon.
But I do agree with you.

haha
I guess when you said you'd tried the bricks in the past I thought you meant in that location.
Funny how things can get misinterpreted on sites like this.

I would definitely not cut into the roots, so hmmmmm.
Do you really need an artificial edging? I wonder if you used a good mulch, with newspaper laid down first, you could keep the majority of the weeds out? Cheaper too.

Well, JulieQ, THAT is a good idea, but it would require some pre-planning on my part. I suppose if I just went around the perimeter, it might work really well for keeping the grass from encroaching. Yes, time for a newspaper drive! Thanks!

Well, believe it or not, in just a few scant days, my garden is complete! I have a friend who is full of great ideas, and a very quick worker! She's a teacher, and that explains a lot (Class, on to the next project!). I supplied the tools, the newspapers, the plants and the bark. She sat down and dug in. When I figure out how to post the photos, they'll be there. Of course, everything is a bit sparse now, but the hostas will start loving their new home, as will the fern and small, variegated bamboo. The small evergreen from NZ will eventually get up to 6' by three feet wide, and the pine tree I hope to keep on the smallish side by controlling the candling.

Here's an aerial view.

And a close-up.

Great job! I love the old stone look of that lantern. Does it illuminate? I would love to see a night picture of that light on. Where did you get it? Looks great!

Well, thanks, Grantman. I just love anything with an overwhelmingly Japanese flavor. My husband tipped me off to a 50% off sale at a statuary place in industrial Seattle. I couldn't get there fast enough, and was worried about the axles on the van! It's just concrete, and all these places have access to pretty much the same molds. They will stain them different tones, however. Really pays to shop around, as it's easy to buy the same ones for many times the price. We're all frugal gardeners, aren't we? I've fallen down in the electrical area. My life is pretty much connected by extension cords! A candle is pretty much the extent of the lighting out there for now.

And on a side note, my lovely tableau was slightly marred by the doings of the mama 'coon and her three kits. They felt the need to dig down through the bark and newspaper, but I was just grateful it wasn't worse. Just kind of patted it all down again, and plan to grab a few more bags of bark.

I would like a lantern like that in my yard. I wil have to look around! Hmmm, your latter issue sounds similar to the bane of my existence: Squirrels! They know just when I lay a nice thick layer of new mulch, and just how much to dig, throw, spread, etc.! Plus they occasionally eat an unripened papaya on me :(

I actually had ONE fig on my tree, which I was patiently watching---for science? It's now gone. No telling which of the many possibles was the culprit! Maybe next year there will be a bumper crop....Squirrels annoyed me at the old house. New neighbors have dogs, and I now have four cats. Granted, the squirrels can out climb them, but they seem not as pesky as the 'coons.