How to Design an Asian Garden

Kyoto Gardens, with text by Judith Clancy and photography by Ben Simmons, celebrates some of the most beautiful gardens in Japan's former imperial capital. Let Clancy's words and Simmons' images inspire you to add elements of Japanese design to your own garden, whether you prefer a minimalistic look or lush plantings of verdant moss, blooming cherry trees and vibrant red maples.

"The first essential step in designing a (Japanese) garden is rock placement," says Kyoto Gardens author Judith Clancy. Rocks—which are believed to contain spirits—are placed horizontally, and other elements such as moss, streams, or plants are arranged around them. To add this distinctive element to your garden, consider the color and texture of the rocks you'll use. "Not too long ago, apprentice gardeners were instructed to sit near or in a stream or coastline to study the interaction between the rocks and a body of water," Clancy says. Here, a rock grouping in the estate garden of Nijo Castle forms a small island. A dwarf pine overlooks the pond.

Gardener Shigemori Mirei (1895-1975) was known for placing rocks vertically, rather than horizontally, which is the traditional usage in Japanese gardens. In this Tofuku-ji garden, the vertical rocks suggest a dragon's ears and nose as the mythical creature rises from a swirling cloud of gravel. Dragons, Clancy says, are exalted in the oriental zodiac. You can add magic to your garden by experimenting with how you place the rocks.

This kare sansui, or dry garden, shows how sand and gravel are used to convey the sense of flowing water, waves, clouds or seasonal themes, says Clancy. To duplicate this effect in your garden, you'll need a long-handled rake with a large-toothed, horizontal bar. As you'd expect, maintaining the shapes takes regular attention; some zen temples work on their gardens daily. Blowers and bamboo whisks are often used to gently clear the surface. "....Leaving without a footprint takes much practice and a good balance," the author adds.