Modern Japanese Gardens

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Water features are an important element of a Japanese garden. Water symbolizes purity. The water features in the garden will appear to flow naturally as in streams or waterfalls or will be in ponds but not in fountains. Raked gravel is sometimes used to represent water.

There are many different Japanese garden styles. These include a Zen garden or dry garden, Japanese tea garden, a stroll garden, courtyard garden, and pond and island style.

In Japanese gardens, stone lanterns are often placed near a pond or a stream to represent the female and male elements of water and fire. This is known as yin and yang in Japanese tradition.

Japanese gardens will have empty spaces, and there will be no crowded spaces. The gardens will usually be enclosed with natural fencing and a gate or gates. The Japanese garden is always a work in progress and will never be completed. Asymmetry is another element of these gardens. There will be no straight lines or rows.

In order to comprehend the beauty of a Japanese garden, it is necessary to understand - or at least to learn to understand - the beauty of stone. - Lafcadio Hearn

Flowers and colorful foliage are sparingly used to signify changing seasons in the Japanese garden. The flowering plants used are usually cherry or plum trees, azaleas, peonies, and chrysanthemums. Other plants commonly used include bamboo, moss, Japanese maples, and evergreens, such as Japanese black pine. Some plants may be chosen not only for their flowers but perhaps because of the attractive way they look with snow on the branches, raindrops on the stems, or sun shining through the leaves. Nothing unsightly should be used in the garden.