Question
What plants, other than ferns and cut-leaf maples, would you recommend to be included in a japanese garden? Thanx. Rob

Answer
There is a great variety of plants that could be used in a japanese garden.
It depends on what type of garden you have in mind.
Japanese gardens have evolved from primitive "Tei" gardens, to gardens that were influenced by the Sung and Tang Dinasties.
These gardens were very sumptuous and depicted dramatic landscape features.
There were also Buddhist gardens that depicted paradise on earth.
Influenced by the tea cerimony and its aesthetics, the military lords of feudal Japan, comissioned some very interesting gardens that still exist.
My favorites are the Zen gardens and their simplicity.
As you can see, there are many different types of japanese gardens, and they could use many different types of plants and materials.
Are you planning on building a japanese garden or you already have one?
If you could send me pictures of your garden or the site you want to build it on, i would be able to help you better.
It would also help if you could tell me about the location of your garden.
Good Luck!