The final days of our Indian Summer were this last weekend, so I figured I'd take a stroll in the Yao Japanese Garden located in the Bellevue Botanical Garden and enjoy the end of Autumn. I have always been a big fan of Japanese gardens. It always seems that when I frequent them, that they completely ground me. Most Japanese gardens are not filled with riots of blooming colour, but with carefully placed plant material and layer upon layer of foliage colour and texture. Maybe that's what touches me is all the greenery, but in any case, they are tranquil and special, and I really enjoy them.
I find that Japanese gardens are incredible all year long. In Winter, the beautiful structure of the deciduous trees and shrubs are shown and accented with evergreens and bamboos. In Spring, all the rhody's and azaleas are in bloom in mounds of colourful displays. In Summer, the Maples and other trees are fully leafed out sheltering drifts of ferns and other complements. And in Fall, the trees have changed the coats in a serene Autumnal display and mosses carpets the ground in emerald splendor.The Yao Japanese Gardens and others like it always bring me back to reflect, to contemplate, to dream. They create a beautiful place where the natural process of life seems to slow down. Certainly something more of we all can use in our hurried busy lives.
10 comments:
Bob,
What beautiful, beautiful photographs. And what lovely balance and restful, scenic areas.
Don't you aspire for that peaceful feeling in your own gardens? (It's my goal that someday I'll just plunk down in the middle of my gardens and sit there for a long time because that's all I'd need!)
You certainly have shown your gardens to be very lovely! And your helpful comments are Very appreciated. Thanks!
Bob,
With regard to the Acer palmatum Toyama Nishiki, I've seen sites that list varying growth heights. I'd really like to have something like this if it were to grow to about 6 feet in height. Are these "prunable?"
The Japanese garden is beautiful and they are such a study in texture and color all year long aren't they! Thanks for sharing this walk! It was very peaceful.
Shady gardener, I'm not very familiar with that maple but in looking into some research regarding them it does seem that there are varying heights. In what I know in dissectums is that they rarely get over 6 feet tall. And that often takes years. In regards to pruning, you can prune them by thinning out smaller branches on top to show off their beautiful structure. You can do this any time in spring after they have leafed out. Usually only 5 to 10 percent of the plant is remove by selectively pruning out small branches and twigs unvail their form. Don't remove to much because branches exposed to much direct sun can blister bark. That's why it's usually done in spring when the sun is not the strongest. Most dissectums grow very wide rather than tall. The one main exception to this is upright dissectums like seiryu which grows tall to about 12 to 15 feet. Hope this helps.
All the best, Bob
I love Japanese gardens. I figure I at least 10 years away from be a skilled enough gardener to come up with those kind of plant combos.
Again, thanks for your help. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find one I like, can afford, and will adapt well to my yard. ;-)
Enjoy the rest of your Fall.
I agree, what a beautiful place to visit. We have a huge park in Munich that has a Japanese section which is so nice. Enjoyed your photographs! Greetings from stormy, rainy Germany, Andrea
Hey Bob, I'm trying to get caught up on my reading. Seems like I have missed several of your posts.
The Japanese garden sure is beautiful. One thing we don't have here in KC is a garden of this kind. At least I am not aware of one. I have been to other cities Japanese garden and they are remarkable. Thanks for sharing!! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!! Cliff
I stood up in a wedding that was held in a Japanese garden...it was beautiful!
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