Heavenly Bamboo is a graceful shrub, not a true bamboo

Nandina domestica, usually called “heavenly bamboo” or “sacred bamboo,” is a fine-textured evergreen shrub, not a true bamboo. In Japan, it’s associated with good fortune, and often planted near residential doorways.

Thuja plicata: Our Iconic Northwest Native Conifer

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is an important Pacific NW native tree with many traditional uses & meanings. As such, it’s our region’s counterpart to Japan’s iconic Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica).

In the Garden, Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyNovember 2, 2017tree, Japanese Cedar, Japanese Garden

Essential Reading List for Autumn 2017

Called dokusho no aki in Japanese, the colder days and longer nights of fall beckon us to read. Blog contributor Corinne Kennedy has compiled a list of non-fiction titles about Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

Fall, Japanese CultureCorinne KennedyOctober 20, 2017Japanese Culture, History

Thank You for Being Part of the Maple Viewing Celebration!

Over 10,000 visitors made it to the Seattle Japanese Garden for the 10-day Maple Viewing Festival this year. The garden added extra shade of colors each day during the festival as it began to prepare for winter. Arts and Crafts activities held throughout the festival were enjoyed by visitors from around the world!

Events, Fall, In the GardenChie IidaOctober 19, 2017Maple, event, Maple Viewing

Gardeners' Talk: Autumn Colors and Japanese Maples

Japanese maples are truly a four-season plant… And, perhaps most notable, the brilliant display of fall. The beauty of each season is in its impermanence, the daily change and inevitable shift into the next phase.

In the Garden, Fall, Japanese Garden Design, Plants and BloomsChie IidaOctober 13, 2017Maple, Fall, tree

Tamamono: The Serenity of Foreground Shrubs

In Japanese-style gardens, foreground shrubs are often pruned into the semi-spherical shape known as tamamono. Repeated, this simple form contributes mass and stability to the garden, and a sense of peacefulness & tranquility as we encounter it

In the Garden, Japanese Garden DesignCorinne KennedySeptember 19, 2017Japanese Garden, Garden Design

Thank you for a successful Moon Viewing!

Despite the afternoon starting with autumn like mist and breeze, our annual Moon Viewing on Saturday September 9th was another magical event.

An evening of music and dance performance, tea ceremonies, luminary lighting and haiku contest was enjoyed by over 300 guests this year.

Events, Japanese CultureChie IidaSeptember 18, 2017moon viewing, live music, haiku

Visit the Seattle Japanese Garden At Home

When you miss the Seattle Japanese Garden but just can’t get there today, try strolling through the garden via the Virtual Park Tour on your desktop or mobile device?

Chie IidaAugust 24, 2017