This book offers practical ways to create five classic styles: Stroll Garden, Tea Garden, Courtyard Garden, Dry Garden and Pond Garden. The essential elements are explored in detail, with history and descriptions, all shown in more than 420 lavish plans, photographs and illustrations. It is an inspiring and accessible guide to designing and creating a Japanese garden, written by a leading authority on the subject. The five classic Japanese garden styles are described - tea gardens, stroll gardens, dry gardens, pond gardens and courtyard gardens. The key elements of rocks, gravel, plants and water, and their symbolic meanings and essential placing are translated for the modern gardener. It includes a history of Japanese gardens, the philosophy of the early designers, the influence of religion and spirituality, and the inspiration provided by early Chinese gardens. With 420 beautiful colour photographs and illustrations, this is a visual feast for the imagination as well as a practical introduction. This beautiful book provides a fascinating introduction to Japanese garden styles and explains their long history and development. Such gardens have a highly stylized and tightly controlled appearance. They are increasingly popular in the West, with their spiritual space, calm planting schemes, careful placement of rocks, raked gravel, considered pathways and elements of water. The five classic garden styles are discussed in detail and a plan is provided for each one. More practical considerations follow, guiding the reader to choose appropriate materials, decorative features and plants.