- Keep it simple.
- Less is more.
- An oriental garden should never be busy.
- Open space is as important as planted space; each contributes to the overall affect.
- An individual "steps into" this type of garden as it is felt as much as viewed.
- Serenity is key.
- The immediate pond area is the portion which most characterizes an oriental garden.
- Dwarf shrubs accommodate the miniaturization.
- An oriental landscape will use more evergreens, only selected perennials, and almost no annuals.
- There should be a balance in everything associated with the garden, this means that attention is given to: type (deciduous or evergreen), height (tall or short), color, texture (soft or coarse), blooming time, and the amount of space that is open or closed. This balance creates a sense of motion which is intuitively understood and which parallels the flow of energy in the garden.