Puttering around your garden on one of these beautiful summer days can leave you with many good results. First, of course, it is always good to get out into some warm sunlight and, second, spending time away from the TVs maddening ruckus can do the soul nothing but good. While visiting your garden, or if you are just putting one together in a long-forgotten corner of your estate, there are many elements to consider.
Foremost is what is your theme going to be? Will it be formal and structured or loose and whimsical? Japanese gardens are always the most formal and have limited appeal to many Americans because of that. Additionally, the environment surrounding most American homes is not conducive to the formality required to obtain the Japanese “serenity” so often associated with that style. After all, how can a logical transition be made between Pops BBQ set-up and white, combed rocks? Somewhat difficult, anyone would say.
On the other end of the scale is what is increasingly referred to on the West Coast as an “Oakland” garden. These Oakland gardens are, indeed, something majestic to behold. Admittedly, the first time one sees these...