The Japanese black pine tree is n ative to the coastal are a of Japan and South Korea . It grows best in sandy and sunny locations. This tree has needles, not leaves . There are 2 very sharp needles together about 4” long. In the Spring, the new growth, known as “candles ”, are pinched off to control the growth habit. In the Fall, the branches of the tree can be pruned to develop the desired shape of the gardener.

Hibiscus syriacus is a large, hardy, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with showy hibiscus-shaped flowers. Native to China and India, despite its botanical name, this shrub has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It flowers in late summer and fall, a time when most other shrubs are no longer in bloom. 

With its beautiful mottled bark, white summer flowers, and stunning fall leaf colors, Stewartia pseudocamellia is an elegant tree to enjoy all year long.  Both its Latin species name pseudocamellia (imitation camellia) and its Japanese name natsu tsukaki (summer camellia) refer to the flowering time of its delicate flowers.

The iris is a flower that represents spring in Japan. The iris is iconic in Japanese culture for its beauty and is revered in paintings, textiles, and woodblocks. One of the renowned iris paintings in Japan is Kakitsubata-zu. Irises symbolize resilience. Irises are depicted in literature and Haiku poetry and used in floral arrangements—ikebana and chabana.

A lovely tree peony with semi-double pink flowers graces the northwest corner of the Seattle Japanese Garden, blooming in late April or May.