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

Art Exhibit: ICHI-GO ICHI-E by Season Yoshida

The experience of the garden is never the same twice. Come experience one artist's interpretation of a Japanese saying, ICHI-GO ICHI-E ("one time, one meeting") at a stunning digital art exhibit in the Tateuchi Community Room.

Events, Spring, Visual ArtRumi TsuchihashiFebruary 15, 2017Art Exhibits, Japanese Culture, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Pond, Koi, live music

A Quiet Legacy: The Juki Iida Scroll

Landscape architect Juki Iida left behind a little known legacy when he came to Seattle to oversee the installation of Seattle Japanese Garden: an ink-painted scroll. It provides a glimpse into the natural elements he incorporated into his design.

In the Garden, HistoryCorinne KennedyFebruary 14, 2017Japanese Garden, Juki Iida, History, Seattle, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Western Washington, Art, tree, Water, Stone, Maple, pagoda, tea house, Moss

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

Who Was Juki Iida? ~Insights from the Designer's Diary, Part 1~

Landscape architect Juki Iida is largely credited for designing Seattle Japanese Garden in 1959. Follow a new series by Scholar-in-Residence, Mark Bourne, about the insights Mr. Iida recorded in his diary.

History, Japanese Garden DesignRumi TsuchihashiFebruary 13, 2017Japanese Garden, Juki Iida, History, tour, Garden Design, Architecture, Washington, Western Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Stone, tree

Welcome Our New Scholar-in-Residence

We have created a new position, Scholar-in-Residence, to spearhead Japanese garden history education and archival projects at Seattle Japanese Garden.

Spring, Japanese Garden Design, HistoryRumi TsuchihashiFebruary 13, 2017Japanese Garden, History, Seattle, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Workshop

2016: Year in Reflection

Tranquility and Peace. Thank you for showing the world that it matters through your support of the Garden. We've had a remarkable year of increased visitors and thousands of hours of volunteerism. Seattle Japanese Garden matters more to the community now than ever.

In the GardenRumi TsuchihashiDecember 22, 2016event, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Western Washington, Washington, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Visitors, Niwashi, volunteers, Moss, Maple, Pruning, tour, Pond, Pine, Winter, Festival, Japanese Culture, Shinto, moon viewing, photography, Art, Art Exhibits, dance, Tea, tea house, History

Hinoki: A Revered Conifer

Among the many conifers in our garden is Chamaecyparis obtusa, known in Japan as hinoki. It's one of Japan's most revered trees for its beautiful, durable wood and bark and fragrant essential oils of its bark, wood and foliage.

In the Garden, Plants and BloomsRumi TsuchihashiDecember 16, 2016Hinoki, tree, Cypress, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Japan, Wood, Fragrant, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Western Washington, Shinto, traditional, pagoda, gardening, Bonsai

Blog