Each Japanese garden is unique in its design, and most Japanese gardens are designed in a very singular way, but using common elements that are traditional in Japanese design. The most common elements that are considered for Japanese garden design are rock, water, plants and ornaments. In Japanese garden design, each of these serves a specific purpose.
Rock is considered the foundation of the garden. In Japanese garden design, great care is taken in laying out the stones and the rest of the garden will follow this form. Tall, vertical stones may be used, or long stones may be laid on their sides, arching stone pillars and reclining rocks are all used to contribute to the design. Then stepping stones and rock pathways are formed. Since these rocks have meaning in traditional Japanese garden design, the placement of each stone and rock is crucial. But we may just place them where they look best.
Water is another critical element of the design of the garden. It may really be water, such as a pond or a waterfall, or it may just be suggestive of water, such as stones raked in such a way as to resembel a stream. If you use real water running the water over surfaces such as stone, will add a peaceful sound, and make serenity. The Japanese view water as symbolic of time passing, so it is an important feature of a contemplative garden.
The actual plants in a Japanese garden are secondary to the importance of stone in the garden. But they are crucial to the design and must complement it. They must harmonize with the stone and their placement must be well thought out to do so. Bamboo and Japanese maples are frequently used, but the kind of plant you use is not as critical as the harmonious placement. Some easy to use and place plants are ornamental grasses, evergreens and many dediduous trees.
The next element is ornamentation. Ornaments are not focal points, but merely serve to enhance the critical elements of the garden such as rock and water. Therefore, they are strategically placed to accent a bridge, a stream or a stone in the garden. You will find lanterns, shallow basins or small sculptures in the garden. A Japanese garden will be situated as to take advantage of surrounding features. For instance, an opening in a gate may frame a distant tree or mountain, or a stone stream may be placed to appear as if it is meandering off into a faraway shore.