By David Faulkner

All the world's great gardens have a theme, or master plan which will unify them to maximize their visual impact. Japanese landscaping, designed by master Japans landscape architects with minimum of space in which to create the illusion of wide expanses, manages to provide serenity and a sense of solitude in the middle of some of the most densely populated real estate on Earth.

And when Japanese landscaping techniques are applied to gardens and architecture in the parts of the world, they seem to transform those spaces into little pieces of Japan. The hallmarks of Japanese landscaping are its uses of lush, glowing vegetation and blooms, water, stone, and traditional Japanese structures. Japanese landscaping, with just a few simple elements, can create the illusion of several distinct spaces in a single small area.

Elements Of Japanese Landscaping
Assymetry is a classic element of Japanese landscaping. Japanese landscaping architects rarely incorporate straight rows and right angles into their designs; straight lines are not found in nature and Japanese landscaping is, above all else, natural. The Japanese landscaping architect will avoid anything which crowds the space in which he or she is working. Negative, or empty space, is as important to the final result of Japanese landscaping as the solid objects which it surrounds.

Japanese landscaping is also notable for the symbolic nature of the plants which it uses. While blooming flowers are held to a minimum in most Japanese landscapes, the ones chose have specific meanings. Cherry or plum trees, azaleas, peonies, and chrysanthemums are all popular flowering plants in Japanese landscaping, and when combined with bamboo and moss, will give a definitely Oriental look to their surroundings. Japanese maples are also commonly used in Japanese landscaping.

If there is enough space, any Japanese garden will be enhanced with a traditional koi pond. Many gardens stores sell kits so that home gardeners can install their own Japanese water gardens; these kits range in complexity from simple, shallow forms to tiered ponds with waterfalls. Japanese landscaping often incorporates the sound of flowing water into its design, and a waterfall kit will let you do the same.

You can create a Japanese sense of space in your own small garden by placing large rocks in a random pattern and creating a path--or flowing water, if you can manage it--to meander among them. Japanese landscaping, by having lines that curve out of sight, gives even the smallest garden a sense of hidden places.

If you're someone who thinks the best gardens are the simplest, most serene ones, then Japanese landscaping is definitely for you!

You can also find more information on Landscaping Design and Bungalow Landscaping. Onlinelandscapedesigns.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in landscape issues.