plants for alkaline soil

[The Helpful Gardener]

I would have to agree with MaineDesigner; gardens in Japan vary from region to region with the plant material changing according to availability.

Knowing how overrun France is with American plants (E.I. Dupont and other early French-American horticulturists sent home a HUGE variety of plants and animals, many of which have become nuisances today), using some native flora might be a great idea...the misconception that all "Japanese" gardens must use Japanese plants is pervasive, but I think mistaken. You are building a French garden in the Japanese style, so don't be afraid to experiment there...

With the cistern and the use of the word tsukiyama, I am automatically thinking of a hill and pond style; more plants and accoutrements than the hiraniwa, or flat garden, which is more classicly "Zen" and suitable for raked gravel. Piet's recommendation of Daitoku-ji is a good middle of the road suggestion, but by definition is still a hiraniwa...

HG