| There is a variety of elements used | | | | stone could be used as a place to sit for a |
| throughout a Japanese garden, but the three | | | | bit. |
| most important and basic ones that you will | | | | |
| find in every garden design are: rocks, | | | | Define a pathway. A rock grouping set along a |
| plants and water features. In this article, | | | | turn in a path provides visual interest and |
| we are going to focus on rocks, a very | | | | guides the stroller along the proper course. |
| visible and useful Japanese garden element | | | | It also encourages them to slow down and |
| that has many viable and practical | | | | contemplate the arrangement, making the walk |
| applications, along with its aesthetic | | | | more enjoyable. |
| qualities. | | | | |
| | | | Block off a portion of the garden or path. |
| Large boulders can block unsightly views. For | | | | You can use stones to block off an area which |
| example, perhaps your water hoses and water | | | | you don't want people to enter. They form a |
| connection are near an area of your garden | | | | natural barrier, but be sure to make the |
| and you don't want it visible to visitors. A | | | | arrangement interesting as well. |
| large boulder and complimentary bush would | | | | |
| hide the out-of-place items, yet allow you | | | | Rocks are a wonderful backdrop for plants. An |
| access to use them as needed. | | | | angular, vertical rock makes a unique |
| | | | backdrop for a plant grouping. Place the rock |
| Interesting rocks can be placed where plants | | | | a bit farther back from the plants, so as to |
| are hard to grow. Sometimes you will find one | | | | provide depth perception and allow the plants |
| particular area in your garden where plants | | | | to be the focus (or vice versa). |
| just don't seem to do well, no matter what | | | | |
| you plant or what you do to the soil. Maybe | | | | Secure slopes and use as retaining walls. |
| it's too wet or maybe it's too clay based. | | | | Boulders and good-size stones make excellent, |
| Whatever the problem, a nice rock arrangement | | | | natural materials for use in low retaining |
| might do the trick. | | | | walls. On slopes, flat rocks work beautifully |
| | | | as steps. |
| Use rocks to enhance a water feature. Place | | | | |
| near ponds to make the area more natural | | | | Directing a stream. As in nature, rocks are |
| looking and visually appealing. Next to a | | | | always found along a streambed. Secure rocks |
| water basin, a smooth, flat stone could be | | | | within the banks to help prevent erosion of |
| used for kneeling down to the basin. A larger | | | | the earth by the water. |