Osmanthus – a Classic Evergreen bringing Structure & Fragrance to the Garden

Osmanthus is an under-appreciated gem of our Seattle Japanese Garden – and a favorite of mine....

In the Garden, SpringCorinne KennedyMarch 2, 2017Osmanthus, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Western Washington, Fragrant, Shrub, tree, Spring, bloom, Fall, History, gardening, March, April, Leaves, Pruning

Japanese Camellias: Exceptional Flowers in Late Winter & Spring

Japanese Camelias are the showy stars of the early spring in our garden. A species grown for thousands of years, Japanese Camelias have a long history of being cultivated and prized for their beauty.

In the Garden, Spring, Plants and BloomsRumi TsuchihashiFebruary 13, 2017Japanese Garden, Spring, Camellia, Winter, Seattle, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Tea, tree, bloom, varigated camellia, varigated, haiku, History, Shrub

The Garden Refined: Perfecting the Vision Through Expert Pruning

Fall pruning is the most important part of proper specimen tree maintenance, it is the time when critical decisions will be made with regards to individual pieces and the key relationships that define the aesthetic of this Garden.

In the Garden, FallRumi TsuchihashiNovember 18, 2016Fall, Pruning, Pine, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Maple, tree, Shrub, Juki Iida

Sasanqua Camellias: Quiet Beauties of the Fall & Winter Garden

In fall and winter, nine “sasanqua” Camellias (Camellia sasanqua) grace our Seattle Japanese Garden with their quiet beauty.

Rumi TsuchihashiNovember 18, 2016Camellia, Fall, Winter, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Shrub, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Fragrant, Japan, Azalea, Holly, bloom, Pruning, Tea

Beyond Beauty: The Ephemeral Delights of Autumn

“Although the Japanese taste for spring and autumn may at first have been nearly equal, autumn, the season when things perish, possessed an inherently greater allure...

Chie IidaOctober 17, 2016Fall, Leaves, Japan, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Maple, History, Japanese Culture, Ginko, tree, Shrub, Camellia, Fragrant, bloom, Pruning, Berries, haiku

The Everything Season

Senior Gardener Pete Putnicki gives us insight into how the garden is cared for in the summer months

In the Garden, Summer, VolunteersRumi TsuchihashiAugust 15, 2016Seattle, Japanese Garden, Washington, Western Washington, summer, Juki Iida, gardening, Pine, Azalea, Fall, Winter, volunteers, Moss, tree, Shrub, Pruning, Stone, Fence

Karikomi, the Art of Shearing Back

This month, he teaches us about karikomi, the technique of shrub shaping that is a distinctive element of Japanese gardens.

In the Garden, Japanese Garden DesignRumi TsuchihashiJune 15, 2016Seattle, Japanese Garden, gardening, Shrub, Pruning, Spring, Karikomi, Azalea, tree, bloom, Rhododendron, Holly, Boxwood, Yew

Nature versus Nurture in the Japanese Garden: A Gardener's Perspective

Visitors to the garden often comment on the splendor and beauty of nature and the care and attention that is obviously lavished on the garden. What they are observing and being moved by is the careful, intentional integration of nature and nurture.

In the Garden, Japanese Culture, Japanese Garden DesignRumi TsuchihashiApril 8, 2016Seattle, Japanese Garden, gardening, Stone, Water, tree, Shrub, Moss, Pine, Maple, Azalea, Cherry, Plum, Crabapple

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