Interview with Senior Gardener Andrea Gillespie

We sat down with Andrea Gillespie who accepted the role as Senior Gardener at Seattle Japanese Garden in December of 2024 to get a better idea of her background and aspirations for the Garden as we look to the future.

1.    What is your favorite part of working at the Japanese Garden as a gardener?

I really enjoy rhythm and detail, two grounding elements of this space.  It is a wonderful place to tend and experience the seasons as they unfold.  Right now the deciduous trees are beginning to leaf out and there is a green haze surrounding the structure of branches, next the ferns will unfurl… 

2.    Can you tell us about the hardships you face working as a gardener at a traditional Japanese Garden?

Some of the hardships are the same you would find in caring for any living thing or natural environment.  We must adapt to age, use, changing conditions and access to care.  This shows itself in how we balance and communicate the limitations and needs of the space with what it can offer.  Some of the challenge is more logistical, like sourcing materials – right now finding the bamboo I would like to replace the yotsume-gaki in the roji is proving difficult.   

3.    Can you tell us about your aspirations for your new Senior Gardener role at the SJG?

Ultimately, I aspire to do right by the garden itself and the gardeners, designers, and builders before me and after me.  Maintenance sounds like a simple term, but it embodies so much and this role brings a new perspective to that work for me.  This garden has a rich history in the city of Seattle and deep roots in the traditions of Japan – it offers much to learn from and share. 

BIO

Andrea Gillespie began working with the Seattle Parks Department in 2008 as a seasonal gardener for the Jefferson Greenhouse and the Atlantic City Nursery.  She joined the gardening team at the Seattle Japanese Garden at the end of 2010, gradually growing her involvement - building a strong relationship with the Garden itself, and connecting with the many people dedicated to its care. Over the years, she has worked alongside and learned from some of the best Japanese garden specialists in the Pacific Northwest and visiting Gardeners from Japan.  Andrea brings a diverse background that enriches her gardening work, including a foundation in art and textile design (with a love for playing with indigo, shibori and sashiko).  She has worked with communities devastated by natural disasters around the world, helped create meaningful experiences and large-scale gatherings centered around food, and guided cooperative communities in fostering inclusion, understanding, and growth. Andrea loves making things and spending time with her people.