| Each Japanese garden is unique in its design, and | | | | and create serenity. The Japanese view water as |
| most Japanese gardens are designed in a very | | | | symbolic of time passing, so it is an important feature |
| singular way, but using common elements that are | | | | of a contemplative garden. |
| traditional in Japanese design. The most common | | | | The actual plants in a Japanese garden are secondary |
| elements that are considered for Japanese garden | | | | to the importance of stone in the garden. But they |
| design are rock, water, plants and ornaments. In | | | | are crucial to the design and must complement it. |
| Japanese garden design, each of these serves a | | | | They must harmonize with the stone and their |
| specific purpose. | | | | placement must be well thought out to do so. |
| Rock is considered the foundation of the garden. In | | | | Bamboo and Japanese maples are often used, but |
| Japanese garden design, great care is taken in laying | | | | the kind of plant you use is not as critical as the |
| out the stones and the rest of the garden will follow | | | | harmonious placement. Some easy to use and place |
| this form. Tall, vertical stones may be used, or long | | | | plants are ornamental grasses, evergreens and many |
| stones may be laid on their sides, arching stone pillars | | | | deciduous trees. |
| and reclining rocks are all used to contribute to the | | | | The next element is ornamentation. Ornaments are |
| design. Then stepping stones and rock pathways are | | | | not focal points, but merely serve to enhance the |
| formed. Since these rocks have meaning in traditional | | | | critical elements of the garden such as rock and |
| Japanese garden design, the placement of each | | | | water. Therefore, they are strategically placed to |
| stone and rock is crucial. But we may just place them | | | | accent a bridge, a stream or a stone in the garden. |
| where they look best. | | | | You will find lanterns, shallow basins or small |
| Water is another critical element of the design of the | | | | sculptures in the garden. A Japanese garden will be |
| garden. It may really be water, such as a pond or a | | | | situated as to take advantage of surrounding |
| waterfall, or it may just be suggestive of water, | | | | features. For instance, an opening in a gate may |
| such as stones raked in such a way as to resembel a | | | | frame a distant tree or mountain, or a stone stream |
| stream. If you use real water running the water over | | | | may be placed to appear as if it is meandering off |
| surfaces such as stone, will add a peaceful sound, | | | | into a faraway shore. |