I have many Volkswagen size and smaller boulders on my property. I would like to incorporate them in my garden design. For example, I'm thinking of placing a flat thick boulder as the base then putting a roundish boulder on top then a flat boulder on top of it and then two roundish rocks with a a flat boulder bridging them. I would have to work with a back hoe operator. I can only guess that the boulders will balance and be in propotion. It is hard to judge if in the end this idea will work or can be adjusted to work.

Are there any basic concepts or principles to keep in mind? Should there be a clear space between the sculpture and any shrubs or plants?

I would like to place my sculpture in the far back in the nook in the woods. The nook is the dark section in the back of the woods, about two inches from the right of the photo.
P.S. the rock in the garden is the tip of an iceberg and the rock next to the tree is at least 4 feet high.

http://members.shaw.ca/northernlitehikers/inukshuks.htm

Are there any basic concepts or principles to keep in mind? Should there be a clear space between the sculpture and any shrubs or plants?

In the sculptural medium, just about anything will go. So I am not sure if there are any specific principles to adhere to.

There is of course the 'site' in with your large piece should respond to.
But this ' responsiveness' can be interpeted in many ways and from many different sculptors viewpoints.

Tony gave you a good link and you may also enjoy researching some of these other stone artisans works such as Andy Goldsworthy and Isamu Noguchi.

Your site reminds me of the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln Massachusetts. The DeCordova ( one of my most favorite places on earth ) has an absolutely beautiful natural forest that has various clearings with in the property where large sculptural pieces have been placed.

If you do a google search you can access it.
You might find it inspiring.

I look forward to your progress post !