Rhododendron ‘Unique’ Has Lovely Ivory White Spring Flowers

The Seattle Japanese contains many “true” rhododendrons as well as azaleas (shrubs also in the genus Rhododendron). One of them is Rhododendron ‘Unique’, which has long been popular in the Pacific Northwest. It has very attractive evergreen foliage and charming ivory white flowers that open from pale salmon-pink buds.

Shakuhachi: A Traditional Japanese Musical Instrument with a Spiritual Side

In this blog post, you will find out a brief history of the instrument—including its debut on the Western symphony stage—and spotlight Kaoru Kakizakai, a master shakuhachi player from Japan. Kaoru will perform in the Garden on Friday, March 29, 2024, and we hope to inspire you to come and enjoy the music.

Knowledge, Introspection and Remembrance: Cultivating my Relationship to the Seattle Japanese Garden

Our long-time blog contributor, Corinne Kennedy, talks about her relationship with the Garden, reminiscing about its history, culture and more.

New Flowering Cherries Planted in the Restored Meadow

Last month, the garden crew from Seattle Parks and Recreation completed the final phase of the meadow restoration project in the Japanese Garden. This involved the planting of 11 beautiful new flowering cherry trees in the upper section of the meadow, which overlooks the Moon Viewing Platform by the Garden’s pond.

Garden Maintenance, In the Garden, Plants and Blooms, SpringGuest UserJanuary 17, 2024cherry blossoms, Cherry, Trees

Distylium Coppertone™, a Newly Available Evergreen Shrub, is Attractive in All Seasons

Coppertone™ is a compact hybrid of the little-known genus Distylium. Like the other exciting new hybrids, Coppertone™ is an easy-care shrub with attractive evergreen foliage, grows well in full sun or part shade, and tolerates heat, drought, and wet soils. All are resistant to disease, insects, and damage from deer & rabbits. (Bailey Nurseries)

In the Garden, Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyFebruary 24, 2023Distylium, gardening

The Garden’s Green Legacy Hiroshima Plants: An Update

History, Plants and Blooms, In the GardenYukari YamanoFebruary 3, 2023Greenlegacyhiroshima, Gingko

Camellia oleifera is a Cold-hardy Species with Fragrant White Flowers in Autumn

Camellia oleifera is a very cold-hardy species with fragrant white flowers in autumn. Its seeds are an important source of a high-temperature cooking oil used primarily in Asian countries.

Fall, In the Garden, Japanese Culture, Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyOctober 27, 2022Camellia, Japanese culture, Winter, fall

The Showy, Bright Red Fruits of Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ Remain on the Plant from Fall until the Following Spring

Planted in the Seattle Japanese Garden in 2021, Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ is a compact female cultivar of this evergreen shrub native to Japan. Its bright red, berry-like fruits persist until the following spring.

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