Public Meeting Report: the Japanese Garden North Wall and Pavilion Project

On November 16, the Arboretum Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation co-hosted a public meeting at the Graham Visitors Center focused on the Japanese Garden North Wall and Pavilion Project. Representatives from Berger Partnership and Hoshide Wanzer Architects presented designs plans for this Master Plan project, which reconstructs the crumbling stone wall at the north end of the pond, modifies the pathways in this area to improve accessibility, and adds a new pavilion-like structure that was originally envisioned by the Garden’s designer, Juki Iida, back in 1959, but never realized. The designers answered questions from the meeting attendees and gathered feedback on the potential uses of the structure.

Fall, From Home, Japanese CultureGuest UserNovember 20, 2023fall, books, Japanese culture

The Essential Reading List for 2023

Called 読書の秋 (dokusho no aki) in Japanese, the colder days and longer nights of fall beckon us to read. Blog contributor Corinne Kennedy has compiled an eclectic list of thirteen titles, including eleven books for children and younger teens.

Fall, From Home, Japanese CultureCorinne KennedyNovember 8, 2023fall, books, Japanese culture

Fall-Blooming ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’ Camellias Are Recent Additions to the Garden

Three young sasanqua camellias have been planted in the the northeast corner of the Garden, replacing several large rhododendrons that had reached the end of their lifespans. Young specimens of ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’, they may not bloom for several years.

Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyOctober 19, 2023plants, pinus mugo, conifers, matsu, pines

2023 Moon Viewing Haiku Contest Results

Enjoy the wonderful Haiku written by the participants of the Moon Viewing 2023. Judged on Friday, September 1st by David Berger and Michael Dylan Welch. Judged on Saturday, September 2nd by Terran Campbell and Michael Dylan Welch.

Japanese CultureYukari YamanoSeptember 14, 2023haiku, moon viewing, Japanese poetry, short poems

Attractive in All Seasons: Mugo Pine

ATTRACTIVE IN ALL SEASONS: MUGO PINE

Pinus mugo is a commonly available but often undervalued pine species. More than 20 plants grace the Seattle Japanese Garden, most planted near the Garden’s central pond. Learn More at seattlejapanesegarden.org

Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedySeptember 12, 2023plants, pinus mugo, conifers, matsu, pines

Japanese Stewartia: Camellia-like Flowers in Early Summer and Glowing Fall Color

IN BLOOM: STEWARTIA PSEUDOCAMELLIA

Japanese stewartia is a lovely small deciduous tree that’s attractive in all seasons. Its delicate, early summer flowers resemble those of its close relative, Camellia.

Plants and BloomsYukari YamanoJuly 14, 2023Pittosporum tobira, plants

Part One: The World of Wabi-Sabi. "What is Sabi?"

Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic ideal often considered together with Zen Buddhism. It is composed of two words, Wabi (侘) and Sabi (寂). Sabi is materialistic forms of imperfection and impermanence and Wabi comes from spiritual fullness and positive mindset to embrace the imperfect world of Sabi. I would like to explore the Wabi-Sabi world with you. First Let’s look at Sabi.

Japanese CultureYukari YamanoJune 16, 2023WabiSabi, Zen, Sabi, Wabi, Fujiwaranoteika, Yoshidakenko, Tsurezuregusa

Pittosporum tobira: Sweetly Fragrant Spring Flowers and Glossy Green Foliage

LITTLE-KNOWN EVERGREEN SHRUBS: PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA

Japanese pittosporum is an attractive, very adaptable broadleaf evergreen shrub with sweetly fragrant, late spring flowers and glossy, rounded, deep green foliage.

Plants and BloomsYukari YamanoJune 15, 2023Pittosporum tobira, plants