Skilled Snipping
Although the emphasis of Japanese
gardens is on nature, it's also important
to demonstrate human presence and
intention. Try your hand at topiary the
—
intentional shaping of bushes like yews
and junipers—by snipping them into
recognizable forms such as clouds, and
then incorporate stone or cast iron
Japanese lanterns to guide visitors
through the garden.
Movement and Time
Japanese gardens play homage to the passage of time. Select "weeping"
forms of plants (think weeping willows with long, ropelike branches); plant
trees on an angle to suggest movement; or incorporate mosses which, says
Dwyer, "to lend antiquity and age to the space." Because they are delicate,
however, he warns against putting them in highly trafficked areas.
50
BRAVA Magazine
June 2013
