It's not necessary to create an entire garden in the Japanese style. A stone lantern, a small patch of raked gravel, or a soothing water feature can offer a focal point that is distinctly Far Eastern. Foliage texture and form is emphasized over bold use of flower color and exemplifies Asian-style gardening. The moon bridge, a favorite stopping point for garden visitors, straddles the upper pool in the strolling pond garden. This vista changes remarkably in all four seasons.
Water is one of the most important elements in a Japanese garden.
The sound created by this waterfall drowns out noises beyond the garden, creating a feeling of solitude. Statuary is commonly featured in Asian gardens. Human figurines are rarely found in Japanese design and are more typical of Chinese style. The Flat Garden is a sea of raked white Shirakawa sand with an island of creeping thyme in the foreground. Raked gravel can suggest water and the movement of currents.