Introducing the Niwashi Volunteer Gardener Program

Are you a gardener interested in getting hands-on experience in the Japanese Garden?

Events, In the Garden, Japanese Garden Design, VolunteersRumi TsuchihashiJuly 1, 2016Niwashi, volunteers, gardening, Seattle, traditional, Japanese Garden, Tea

In Bloom: Iris ensata

The Japanese iris now known as Iris ensata (hanashobu in Japan)

In the Garden, Japanese Garden Design, Spring, Summer, Summer, Plants and BloomsRumi TsuchihashiJune 15, 2016Iris, Seattle, Japanese Garden, History, Japan, Flower Arranging, traditional, bloom, Spring, June, Pond, Stream, Water

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

Life After: Finding Healing and Restoration as a Volunteer Guide

Victoria Bestock finds peace in the flowing water, rocks, and the changing beauty of the seasons.

In the Garden, VolunteersRumi TsuchihashiMay 12, 2016volunteers, tour, Japanese Garden, Seattle, dance, Flower Arranging, Japanese Culture, Maple, tree

Styrax: Japan’s Lovely Snowbell Trees

The graceful Styrax, Japanese Snowbell, is a deciduous tree native to Japan that bears bell-like white flowers in late spring.

In the Garden, Japanese Garden Design, Spring, Plants and BloomsRumi TsuchihashiMay 11, 2016Seattle, Japanese Garden, Styrax, Snowbell, bloom, Pond, tree, Spring, Fragrant, Fall, tea house, Wood

Candling: The Art of Japanese Pine Pruning

You may notice at this time of year pine trees are covered with prominent upright buds at the branch tips. These are called candles, and they are the spring growth of the tree.

In the Garden, Japanese Garden Design, Spring, Plants and BloomsRumi TsuchihashiMay 6, 2016Candling, Pine Candling, Japanese Pine, Pruning, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Spring, tree

Juki Iida & Richard Yamasaki: Collaborating in Space & Time

The Seattle Japanese Garden was a collaborative work that involved a number of Japanese design team members. It was also, as this article examines, a unique collaboration between lead designer Juki Iida, and Richard Yamasaki, one of the Seattle landscape contractors hired to build it.

In the Garden, Japanese Culture, Japanese Garden DesignRumi TsuchihashiApril 8, 2016Juki Iida, Seattle, Japanese Garden, Garden Design, History, Maple, pagoda, Sculpture, tea house, Moss, tree, Water, Stone, Japanese Pine

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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