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Garden design advice please?

I was asked to design a small garden, mostly influenced by zen gardens. The site is shaped like a triangle, and there's bamboo on one of the corners. However, the owners don't want sand or gravel because they have dogs, and the site doesn't seem to be apt for a zen garden (there's a Mexican fountain and a cross), so I thought about using some big rocks, tall ferns (similar to lady ferns), santolina and salvia. Santolina mostly to resemble the color of gravel, and salvia because I like the scent and the purple flowers somewhat resemble Japanese cherry blossoms. Do you have any other recommendations? Thanks for the advice.

Public Comments

1. How about stepping stones with scenery for effect?
2. your idea sounds great! how about adding some asian pottery and plant bamboo, or a dwarf maple in it, and maybe get a new fountain that is simplistic(or maybe if u can a koi pond)
3. How about a small waterfall? Just the kind that bubbles over into a small pond. I would say add some Koi, but dogs+fish=bloody mess. I think it would be really cool to add a few Tea plants. Set them off in a little corner, encircled by rocks. How cool to have access to your own tea! Maybe some japanese-style solar lights: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/bghghgh.jpg http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/gfhgh.jpg Get some rocks which have Japanese symbols ingraved, or jade colored rocks. A bonsai tree: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/bon2a.jpg or some cool wind chimes: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/485-045.jpg
4. stepping stones....sand......maybe a fountain