The dry landscape element is incorporated in a larger scale traditional garden and intended to be entered. Whether your creating a full pledged zen garden or adding an element of dry landscape to your japanese garden, a successful dry landscape garden is one of the most appealing landscapes to contemplate. The dry landscape style garden may be adapted to any area and offers the ideal solution to evoke the feeling of water or to actually provide drainage for garden runoff. Avoid using light colored crushed granite in sunny areas for it will produce a blinding glare, but it will brighten up an indoor garden or dark shaded garden. If crushed granite or rocks are not available in your area, the grit fed to turkey and chickens also work great.
Hand choose well weathered sculptural rocks for they are the heart of a well designed landscape.
Islands have a particular importance for the Japanese. Islands represent a symbol of the isles of the Blest immortal souls and also represent a symbol of longevity and continuing health. Most japanese gardens have both single rock islands and built up islands of rocks and earth as shown here. The tortoise is believed to live for 10,000 years and the crane 1,000 years. Ornaments add atmosphere to the garden and serve as focal points or used help give a sense of distance as shown here.