The entire Anderson Garden has been strongly influenced by Japanese stroll gardens. See more in the Style section of Design Elements. The other specialized and pocket gardens also contain a number of Japanese landscaping elements. We are also creating two small Japanese gardens--a Pacific Northwest adaptation of a tea garden, and mini stroll garden connecting the bamboo and Asian trees with other areas.

The tea garden contains several traditional elements: a narrow winding path limiting accessibility, a dry (sometimes) stream emptying into small pond containing an island, several strategically placed rocks, groundcovers, and a few dwarf maples. Enclosing the tea garden are two large pines, a Mt. Fuji flowering cherry, Japanese snowbell, dogwood, and large rhododendrons. A small hill by the winding path is covered with kiuisianum azaleas that are beginning to grow together as a single flowing mass.

The adjoining shade garden contains additional elements, including mosses, ferns, bamboo, and an Asian tombstone from the railroad-building days around Enumclaw. The metal garden on the other side is a tightly enclosed space featuring pea gravel floor and small woodland plants.

The stroll garden connects the bamboo and mid-sized Asian trees with huge evergreens. The centerpiece of the S-shaped garden is a Hakuro Nishiki willow. From a black bench, a viewer looks over an old Japanese holly through the tall trees at snow-covered Mt. Rainier.

Through a hidden path in the edge of the stroll garden, a visitor arrives at the adjoining knob garden. A winding set of stepping stones ascends to the top, with another bench and view of the mountain. Behind is a bamboo forest.

Both of these gardens are modifications of traditional Japanese styles. As the Japanese adapted Chinese and Korean gardens to their own cultural and personal traits, I have blended Japanese landscaping elements with Pacific Northwest environment and culture. Some of the ideas I have borrowed include:

* The Asian preference for asymmetry, contrasted with the western for preference for symmetry

Straight lines and geometric shapes are inappropriate in Japanese gardens.

* Miegakure, the element of surprise

Curving paths and large objects hide what lies ahead.

* Shakkei, borrowed landscape, landscape that is "captured alive"

Trees and mountains outside the garden can be incorporated into its design.

* Water as the unifier of garden with the sky

Reflections of clouds and blue place the sky among the other elements of the garden.