Need great ideas for a Japanese type garden?

I have created a new area in my back yard and plan on putting a large Asian statue in the center of this area. I am working on an area behind where the statue will sit to plant bamboo in a controlled area. I am fixing a sort of tunnel and plan to put wisteria on it, to grow over the wire tunnel. I would like ideas on other plants to use in this area to enhance the statue and give an air or serenity. This will be a sort of *secret* garden, as you won't be able to see it all until you go through the tunnel.





I have thought about some peonies, and plan to use white gravel and have black enamel benches in it. I would like to use reds mostly, to give more impact to the overall effect.





I am in zone 6

Need great ideas for a Japanese type garden?
Azaleas would be nice. For a low growing tree that has that Asian look is the Mimosa. Most Asian Garden don't have alot of flowers in them, they are mostly evergreens is interesting shapes. For your "RED" how about placing high glazed red pots filled with small evergreens that you shape into your own style of Bonzais.
Reply:Nandina, called heavenly bamboo--the "domestica" variety has red berries...also, japanese plum yew...you can also plant Daylillies (Hemerocallis) in a grouping--"Chicago Apache" is a good red variety.





Have you considered a water feature, a small pond or fountain--for sound as well as a serene effect? Aqua Bella online is a site you might look at for ideas.
Reply:might be some help here...





http://images.google.com/images?q=Japane...





a great Japanese style garden looks great in all seasons... so be careful about the look of what you plant for when it's winter.... like, the peony will disappear in winter, so what will be in that spot then?.... will something behind it take it's place?... like an archetectural yucca or some red-twigged dogwood?....plan for the whole year for the best effect.... like the trees... they should be shapely evergreens or deciduous ones with either interesting shapes like 'weeping' or gnarly trunks or peeling bark.... the gravel, benches and arbor will hold up thru the winter just fine....the wisteria vines will be interesting, too.... but the bamboo should be chosen wisely.. there are types that are 'clumping' bamboos that don't need to be contained... look for them and save yourself some aggravation and work....