In Winter, ‘Kobai’ Flowering Plum Opens its Fragrant, Deep Pink Flowers

Three Prunus mume ‘Kobai’ trees are planted on the eastern edge of the Seattle Japanese Garden’s entry courtyard. Even before the Garden re-opens each year in March, they delight Arboretum visitors with their fragrant, deep pink winter flowers.

In the Garden, Japanese Culture, Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyFebruary 23, 2022Seattle, Winter, Plum, Fragrant, tree, bloom, Flower Arranging

Japanese New Year's Decorations

Traditionally Japanese believe that Toshigami-sama (New Year’s deity) descends in the first month of the year and visits their home and leaves good luck for their coming year. They decorate home with traditional ornaments to welcome Toshigamisama. These are Kadomatsu (門松, New Year’s pine and bamboo decorations), shimekazari (しめ飾り, Sacred straw festoon) and Kagamimochi (鏡餅, Round mirror-shaped rice cakes).

The Essential Reading List for 2021

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 11 titles recommended by the Garden’s docents (Arboretum Foundation Unit 86).

Japanese Culture, FallCorinne KennedyNovember 9, 2021Japanese Culture, books

Planted Just Past the Garden’s Entry Gate, This Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple is an Iconic Beauty in Every Season

This very old specimen tree is beloved by Garden Guides and visitors alike. And each year, its health and beauty are maintained and enhanced by Senior Gardener Peter Putnicki’s skillful pruning. Located prominently in Area B, brings beauty, gracefulness, movement, and dynamic change to the Garden.

Momijigari, 紅葉狩り

The Japanese have a custom to make a trip to hills and valleys to appreciate autumn foliage in the fall. This is called “Momijigari”. You may have heard of this term and it is translated to “going leaf-peeping" or “autumn leaves viewing” in English. The direct translation of Momijigari, however, is “Red leaves hunting”.

Events, Fall, Japanese CultureYukari YamanoOctober 7, 2021red leaves, maple viewing, momiji, fall, fall color, momijigari, Japanese Culture, Maple

The Fruits of Autumn in the Seattle Japanese Garden

With their brilliant fall colors, maples are the stars of autumn. All too often overlooked are the Garden’s lesser-known trees and shrubs—and their fall displays of attractive, charming, and unusual fruits.

Fall, In the Garden, Japanese Garden Design, Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedySeptember 27, 2021Autumn

The Seattle Japanese Garden Then and Now, Part Three: The Maple Collection

This is the third in a series of three articles about the Garden’s plant collections, and how they have changed over time. This month, Sue Clark focuses on the Maple collection.

Maple trees are placed in a Japanese garden for various purposes. Among the most important ones are to frame an attractive view or to hide an undesirable one; to filter the western sun or provide shade for a special plant; or to give a beautiful reflection in water.

The performances and poetry of Moon Viewing 2021

Despite cloudy skies, Moon Viewing 2021 was a huge success! Enjoy this collection of photos and haiku poetry from both nights of the event.

Events, Fall, In the Garden, HaikuChie IidaSeptember 17, 2021moon viewing