| By A.Caxton | | | | found in a Japanese garden. Stones that are |
| | | | carefully placed so that they look as if they |
| Many landscapers today, whether professional | | | | occurred there naturally are a perfect |
| or home do-it-yourselfers are turning to | | | | example. Another main principle of Japanese |
| Japanese designs for landscaping a garden. | | | | gardens is the management of space. There is |
| The peace and tranquility of a Japanese | | | | no fear of having large empty spaces in a |
| garden is attracting many people to this type | | | | Japanese garden; this is done on purpose so |
| of landscaping design. One of the biggest | | | | that the empty spaces complement and outline |
| attractions of a Japanese garden is the ease | | | | the other elements in the garden. Managing |
| of taking care of it. If a Japanese garden is | | | | size in a Japanese garden is a third element |
| well designed in the first place, it will not | | | | to be addressed. Large items in small places |
| be expensive to install, and will be | | | | will overwhelm the tranquility of the garden. |
| relatively carefree. Many people think a | | | | Seeking balance, the Japanese landscape |
| Japanese garden will be expensive because it | | | | gardener will proportions so that each |
| has to have exotic plants and flowers in it. | | | | element works with the other, rather than |
| This couldn't be the furthest from the truth, | | | | compete with it. |
| since a Japanese garden seeks to have the | | | | |
| simplest materials to create that peaceful | | | | Japanese gardens frequently use enclosures in |
| look. If you understand the underlying | | | | interesting ways. Fences and gates serve the |
| principles of Japanese gardens, you can | | | | purpose of secluding the garden, but they may |
| create one that will not be expensive and | | | | also point the visitor to another area, even |
| will be easy to care for. | | | | if it is only an illusion. The symbolism of |
| | | | seclusion in the garden is important and so |
| One of the most important underlying | | | | walkways are always wandering off into small |
| principles of Japanese gardens is to follow | | | | areas, even in expansive gardens. Gates and |
| the lines and form of nature. There are not | | | | fences create both a barrier and a entrance |
| square ponds in nature, so a Japanese garden | | | | way, leading the garden visitor away from the |
| would have to have a round pond. Natural | | | | cares of the world and into a peaceful |
| shapes that abound in nature are what will be | | | | retreat. |