| Japanese gardens create landscapes which resembles | | | | sand, moss and a limited number of trees an shrubs. |
| nature through the careful placement of trees, | | | | Carefully placed stones symbolize islands while the |
| shrubs, rocks, sand, artificial hills, ponds, and water. | | | | gravel or sand, raked into interesting patterns, |
| Zen and Shinto traditions have greatly influenced | | | | symbolizes water. Zen gardens help clear the mind |
| Japanese gardening and as a result the gardens are | | | | and aid in contemplation. |
| contemplative and serene spaces. It is essential that | | | | Another type of Japanese garden is the tea garden. |
| all the elements work well together within the garden | | | | The tea garden is considered a ceremonial space |
| and that the relationship between rocks, plants and | | | | which consists of an outer garden and an inner |
| water is well thought out. | | | | garden. Tea gardens are small and are ideal for those |
| The basic landscape elements found in most | | | | gardens with limited space. The outer garden is |
| Japanese gardens include trees, shrubs, rocks, gravel, | | | | informal and consists of an entry gate to and a |
| water, moss, stones and fences. Boulders are often | | | | stone path leading toward the inner garden. Another |
| used as centerpieces and provide the garden with a | | | | stone path flows through the inner garden, whose |
| feeling of stability. Gravel is used to imitate the flow | | | | plants are more formally placed. The inner path leads |
| of water and other small stones are used to create | | | | to a small building where the actual tea ceremony is |
| boundaries and are turned into sculptural lanterns. | | | | performed. |
| Water, whether it be in the form of a pond, stream, | | | | Another garden appropriate for a small space or patio |
| or waterfall, is an essential part of a Japanese garden. | | | | is the courtyard garden. The design of the Japanese |
| It can be actual water or a symbolic representation, | | | | courtyard garden is kept simple and is usually built to |
| either way, it is vital to the Japanese garden. | | | | be observed from inside the house. It could, |
| In Japanese gardening there are three basic ways to | | | | however, be planned so it is a useable outdoor space. |
| create a landscape scene. The first of these is | | | | Consisting of a few plants, a small water feature, a |
| reduced scale. Reduced scale is the art of taking an | | | | dry stream, or other simple elements, the Japanese |
| actual scene from nature, mountains, rivers, trees, | | | | courtyard garden allows nature and light to flow into |
| and all, and reproducing it on a smaller scale. | | | | your home through large windows and patio doors. |
| Symbolization is abstract and could include using white | | | | The above examples are just a few Japanese |
| sand to symbolize water and boulders to symbolize | | | | garden styles. Before designing and planting your own |
| islands. Borrowed views refers to the use of distant | | | | garden, look through some garden books and search |
| a landscapes, such as a mountain, and incorporating it | | | | for photos of Japanese gardens online. Japanese |
| into the garden. | | | | gardens are intended to create a meditative and |
| There are several types of Japanese gardens. Zen | | | | relaxing experience. A little planning and research will |
| garden are meant to be viewed rather than entered. | | | | help you design a serene and beautiful landscape |
| They are comprised of a mix of boulders, gravel or | | | | which will delight all who visit your garden. |