ART114 Japanese Gardens Sources

8/9/2019 ART114 Japanese Gardens Sources

1/14

Japanese Garden (Sansho-En): Fernleaf maple (Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'), Shantung

maple (Acer truncatum), Mentor barberry (Berberis x mentorensis), weeping Siberian pea

(Caragana arborescens 'Pendula') in bud, Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Japanese

flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica 'Maulei'; Chaenomeles xsuperba 'Cameo'), Betty

magnolia (Magnolia 'Betty'), redbud crabapple (Malus xzumi), Adams crabapple (Malus

'Adams'), May's Delight crabapple (Malus 'Beeson'), Red Jade crabapple (Malus 'Red Jade'),

Red Jewel crabapple (Malus 'Red Jewel'), Sargent crabapple (Malus sargentii), Tina

crabapple (Malus 'Tina'), Weeping Candied Apple crab (Malus 'Weepcanzam'), White

Cascade crabapple (Malus 'White Cascade'), Zumi crabapple (Malus x zumi), Japanese

spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), Sargent cherry (Prunus sargentii), autumn Higan cherry

(Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'), Russian almond (Prunus tenella 'Fire Hill'), flowering

almond (Prunus triloba), rhododendrons (Rhododendron 'Aglo', 'Pioneer', 'P.J.M.''Weston's

Pink Diamond'), Korean azalea (Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense), Grefsheim

spirea (Spiraea x cinerea 'Grefsheim'), Emerald Triumph Viburnum (Viburnum 'Emerald

Triumph').

Explore the GardenElizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese GardenSansho-En, or "the garden of three islands," brings nature's tranquility to visitors.

The Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden is a garden of three islands, with muchsymbolism in the plants and hardscape elements. With its carefully styled plants and

judiciously placed stones, the garden is a tribute to the beauty of pure form. This garden is ayear-round favorite, especially in winter, when the shadows of trees and boulders on the snowcreate another dimension in the garden.
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.php


2/14

Designed as a stroll garden with curving paths, it discloses its plant treasures gradually. Pinesare pruned to open up distant landscapes, framing perfect views of lakes, grassy hills, woods,and gardens beyond. In the dry garden on the island of Kieunto, gravel represents water and

plants represent landmasses. The focal point is the traditional Japanese lantern, Ikekomi, withthe shaft buried in the ground to look as though it were surrounded by water. Wintergreen

Korean boxwood represents the islands behind the lantern.

Explore the GardenElizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden

Sansho-En is the Garden of the Three Islands. It is a placeof serene beauty where visitors can truly slow down thepace of their busy lives. From the moment you cross thebridge, you enter a world where you are encouraged to

observe, listen, and reflect.

Japanese Garden in winter

Certainly a garden for all seasons, it is, many say, most beautiful in winter. Those momentsare for snow viewing and shadow watching, where trees and shrubs create landscapes visibleonly when the world is white. Secrets are revealed; self-discovery awaits.

Designed as a "stroll garden" with curving paths, it discloses its plant treasures gradually,never at once. Pines are pruned to open up distant landscapes, framing perfect views of lakes,grassy hills, woods and gardens beyond. Nature imitates nature as shapes and forms repeat

themselvessnowy mounds might be boulders, buried evergreens or clouds. There is wisdomin such simplicity.

In warmer weather, visitors may see inside the Shoin Building, a recreation of a 17th-centurysamurais retreat. The tranquil atmosphere of respect and appreciation is echoed throughoutthe garden. Roving interpreters assist visitors with questions about plants and introduce themto elements of Eastern style and design. Volunteers rake the fine pebbles in the dry gardens,explaining the significance of the patterns. Visitors are encouraged to sit and rake patterns in atabletop garden.

You can listen to the wind, the rustling grasses or the songs of migrating birds. Stop by abench and listen to Japanese tales narrated by volunteers. If you visit the garden in spring,

guides will show you pictures of its fall glory; visit in winter and you will be inspired by analtogether different enchanting scene.

The garden has a quiet power to change. As you leave the garden behind, you will walk awaya different person.


3/14

Comments by Kristin Berry, Horticulturist of the Japanese Garden

sansho-en in winter

When I think about Sansho-En in the winter, I get visual flashes in my mind of sparkling

snow, dancing shadows, ice-covered branches. These visions evoke emotional responses noteasily put into words. There are so many different sights, sounds and feelings that they aredifficult to describe in simple sentences. Poetic phrases such as these will hopefully give someidea of how I view the garden in winter:

Snow drifts across the raked gravel sea. Crested waves upon the distantshore.

Breathe deep the cold crisp air. Feel alive. See beauty and let it shine within.

Fluffy flakes float down. Soft landing among the forest pines. Bird twittersand adjusts his warm feathery cloak, snuggled deep in the arms of theevergreen wood.

Shadows shift and dance on the white sparkling ground. Ink paintingimages. Which inspired which?

White flowers bloom atop the green sculpted shrubs. Imagine peonies,camellias, chrysanthemums buds ready to burst.

Stark mountain pines in the distance. Foggy island everlasting.

Plant Science Conservation

Checklist: Invasive Plants in the ChicagoRegionBerberis thunbergii

(Japanese barberry)

Photos ofBerberis thunbergii.


4/14


5/14

EnjoyYour Visit WALK THE GARDENCelebrate Winter

In the classic, snow-filled landscape of deep winter,there are many images of great beauty some of them overlooked by nature lovers andgardeners alike, simply because it's just too cold to go outside. Perhaps that's true when thewindchill dips to threatening levels or the snow blows sideways; but when the air is clear andcalm, and the sun gleams off the snow, it's time to take pleasure in the private world of plantsin winter. What better place to seek out those winter-white showoffs than the newly renovatedDwarf Conifer Garden?

Against the snowy slopes, tall conifers loom large, with their sweeping, pendulous branch tipsweighted down, sometimes to the ground, with puffs of snow. Their dwarf counterpartsremain half-buried in mounds of white, some sporting snow caps or domes at rakish angles.Prostrate, ground-hugging conifers as well as the tall cascading evergreens make the most ofthe protective quality of snow, and create secret caves where birds and wildlife can weather
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/dwarfconifer.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/dwarfconifer.php


6/14

the storms.

What a delight to see how the garden's woody plants, ornamental grasses, and perennials allcontribute to the fourth-season landscape! Proudly poking through snowdrifts that might havetoppled other plants are the tawny stems and flowers of once-dark pink hydrangeas. Fuzzy,deep maroon sedums, darkened foliage of azaleas, and dried, caramel rose leaves peekthrough the snow, assuring us that spring beauty will return. Familiar yellow and red stems ofdogwood puncture through the heavy white blanket, as do feather-light grasses that castalmost imperceptible shadows on the snow.

How glad we feel for the subtlety of this season, where small favors are so enjoyed. Thethreadlike wisps of Russian sage how can they possibly stand so straight in this winter ofheavy snow? Tips of some green, swordlike foliage slice through the white, urging us toreturn in summer and confirm the identity of this unknown plant.

The splendid views from the DwarfConifer Garden to the Malott Japanese Garden encompass a broad expanse of white land andwhite water, with no indication of where one form ends and the other begins. Framing it all,on the distant horizon, are the massive trees of McDonald Woods, brown, leafless, and silentwhen viewed from afar, with the three islands of Sansho-En appearing as soft meringue

pillows floating in cream. Designed as a strolling garden with curving paths, the Malott

Japanese Garden is considered by many to be most beautiful in winter. Its inherent design,with an emphasis on nature's forms clouds, stones, hills revisits this theme when plantsare covered with snow. Tightly pruned magnolias, azaleas, forsythia, quince, as well assmooth lumps of yews and junipers, now resemble white boulders or fluffy clouds. Open-

pruned pines, wired to maximize long and borrowed views, are natural snow catchers,offering up their own cushions of snow.
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.php


7/14

In Japan, families time their garden outings to catch the cherryblossoms at their finest, the fire of maples in fall, the peak of chrysanthemum blooms, or thedelicacy of azalea displays. They also plan winter walks in snow specifically for snowviewing and shadow watching a happening where trees and shrubs create a second shadowlandscape on the snowy ground. Stripped of their leaves, the garden's classic maples revealtheir inner beauty. The fernleaf maple,Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', boasts a smooth graytrunk with coralish red side branches. The peeling, burnished bronze bark of paperbark maple,

Acer griseum, is a jewel in the sun. The deep furrows of the large sugar maple, Acersaccharum, are echoed in the strong trunk of the neighboring weeping maple, Acer

saccharinum 'Beebe's Cutleaf Weeping'. For those with an eye to detail, look at the small,

bluish white and yellow lichen patches pasted on the tree trunks (also visible in the growingseason on rocks and boulders). Contrary to popular belief, they are not parasites leaching offthe maple. They are quite unique organisms composed of fungi and algae living on the bark.

Walking in a white winter land muffles certain sounds while intensifying others. Senses areheightened. Visitors will hear a variety ofwinter birds calling as they flit and forage for seeds.Listen for the chickadees, juncos, goldfinches, woodpeckers, and nuthatches drawn to thegarden for food and refuge. Hawks and owls can be seen circling high or gliding low as theyseek their prey. Early afternoon lengthens the shadow play, stretching the snaking figuresacross the snow, moving them down the hill to the snow-covered valley where, perhaps feet

below this snowy surface, land and water meet.

Education Lenhardt LibraryCurrent Books & Book Reviews

Herb L. Gustafson.The Art of Japanese Gardens.

New York: Sterling, 2001.paper, 144 p., ISBN 0-806-90963-3, $19.95.

apanese gardens combine many approaches to garden space, some methods thousands ofyears old. The author in this book leads readers into an inspiring yet practical work aiming to

bring the Japanese garden and its philosophies into home landscaping. Five importantJapanese garden forms the strolling path, flat sea, natural garden, teahouse and sand andstone garden are highlighted in this book, along with suggestions for incorporating theseconcepts into smaller areas.

Traditional Japanese gardens have vast arrays of symbolic representations. Symbolism isimportant in this book, and it suggests ways in which such symbolism can be incorporatedinto today's garden to spiritual as well as practical effect. Color photographs highlight

traditional garden ornaments such as animals, lanterns, water basins, benches and bridges. AJapanese desire for asymmetry and minimal use of flowers is pictured in the positioning of
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/birds/index.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/birds/index.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/birds/index.php


8/14

plantings and sculpture; in this book, Japanese pavilions, teahouses and a moon-viewingbuilding are revealed in both text and picture.

Using illustrative photographs, the author discusses garden boundaries in terms of fences,walls and gates; he also focuses on interior uses of rocks, boulders and stones. Maintenancemethods are listed, too. Water also plays an important role in a Japanese garden, and the

author uses diagrams and photographs to depict the use of plants within ponds, waterfalls andstreams.

Finally, this inspiring book gives readers a handy plant list of Japanese, common andbotanical names suitable for Japanese gardens. There is also a plant list grouped by use.

Elaine Juhl, Master Gardener and Volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden.

Explore the GardenBonsai Collection Summer

Japanese witch hazelHamamelis japonicaInformal upright style

Variegated Asian star jasmineTrachelospermum asiaticumvariegatumCascade style

Satsuki Kaho azaleaRhododendron indicum 'Kaho'

Informal upright style

Perfume jasmineJasminum odoratissimum

Informal upright style


9/14

Crape myrtleLagerstroemia indicaInformal upright style

Maidenhair treeGinkgo bilobaFormal upright style

MagnoliaMagnolia x wieseneriInformal upright style

Japanese needle juniperJuniperus rigidaRaft style

StewartiaStewartia monadelphaBroom style

Japanese beechFagus crenataInformal upright style


10/14

Japanese snowbellStyrax japonicusInformal upright style

Japanese white pinePinus parvifloraFormal upright style

Oriental bittersweetCelastrus orbiculatusSemi-cascade style

Japanese Zuisho white pinePinus parvlora 'Zuisho'Slanting style

Japanese white pinePinus parvifloraSemi-cascade style

Cape jessamineGardenia augustaSemi-cascade style


11/14

Asian star jasmineTrachelospermum asiaticumInformal upright style

Chinese fringe flowerLoropetalum chinenseInformal upright style

Japanese cornelian cherryCornus officinalisInformal upright style

Your Garden GardeningHelp

Gardening Tips & TechniquesJapanese Garden Design

Visitors to Japanese gardens often have questions about thetypes of plants they see, the design of the garden and theobjects that are positioned around the garden. Kristin Berry,the horticulturist forSansho-En, the Japanese Garden at theChicago Botanic Garden, answers some of the mostcommon questions she encounters:
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.phphttp://www.chicagobotanic.org/explore/japanese.php


12/14

What is the significance of the rocks placed around thegarden?Rocks are considered to be the "skeleton" of the earth and ofa garden; they are the first element put into a garden duringconstruction. Skilled rock setters can make rocks look as ifthey have been a part of that setting forever.

Why are the plants so heavily pruned?

The goal behind Japanese garden design is to make arepresentation of nature. The plants are pruned and groomedto appear ideal or almost perfect. During the growingseason, most shrubs are pruned every two weeks. Pines andlarge deciduous trees are pruned up to three times per year,as needed. The act of grooming and pruning makes thegardener become one with the plant and with the garden. Inmost homes in Japan, it is a daily ritual to groom a garden

by removing dead leaves and insects, pruning plants andfinally sweeping the garden clean.

What are the water basins for?Water plays a very important role in Japanese gardens.Basins are placed throughout the garden in special locationsto allow visitors to purify themselves, both physically (bywashing their hands and drinking the water) and spiritually(by symbolically washing away their cares).

What is a Zen garden?The term "Zen garden" was coined in the 1950s to refer tothe abstract rock and sand gardens found at Zen Buddhisttemples in Japan. The correct term for this type of garden iskaresansui, or dry garden. Many of these gardens are madestrictly of sand or gravel beds along with an arrangement of

boulders. Others may include plants. The sand in a drygarden is raked in patterns representing waves, ripples oreven rice paddies. Other patterns are simply abstract andfollow the flow of the garden.


13/14

Are all the plants in Japanese gardens from Japan?The plants in Sansho-En were chosen because they growwell in the Chicago area, not because they are native toJapan. Some Japanese plants require an acid soil instead ofthe Midwest's alkaline soil, while others cannot tolerate the

region's cold winters. All gardeners must understand thegrowing conditions for their plants before placing them in agarden. Any plant may be used in a Japanese garden if itconforms to the design of the garden and is maintainedaccording to Japanese gardening principles.

Why aren't there more flowers in the Japanese Garden?There may not be many flowering perennials or annuals, butthere are many flowering plants. They're chosen specificallyfor their short bloom time to reflect the fleeting quality ofhuman life, which is in direct contrast to the infinite natureof the rocks. On Sansho-En, look for iris, rhododendron,

plum, quince and magnolia, among others.

What is the significance of the stone lanterns?In Japan, lanterns were used to light paths outside Buddhisttemples. When a new garden was added, old temples wereraided for rocks, plants and lanterns. When teahouses

became popular, gardens were added to them, and thegarden quickly became an important part of the teaceremony itself. Since tea ceremonies were often performedat night, lanterns would light key areas of the garden.Whether used for lighting or ornamentation, lanterns should

be located where a path turns or near a gate or doorway.

Are there statues of Buddha in the garden?Buddha statues, as well as other religious artifacts, are usedmainly in temple gardens. Homeowners, however, mighthave one or two artifacts in their own gardens, either asgood luck charms or for private worship.

What is the importance of pathways in a Japanesegarden?Paths are designed to guide visitors through the garden andallow visitors to see the garden from many angles.Designers can hide a view to create mystery or to open up a

beautiful vista for a visitor turning a corner on a path. Pathskeep visitors from damaging fragile ground covers such asmoss and sedum. Paths in the dry gravel gardens also allowvisitors to enjoy the garden without disturbing the carefullyraked patterns and smooth surfaces.


14/14

When is the best time of year to visit the Japanesegarden?Sansho-en is designed as a public stroll garden. The plantswere chosen because their ornamental characteristics appearat different times throughout the year. In spring, crab applesand azaleas are particularly beautiful. In early summer,irises bloom, cattails show off and visitors can enjoy all the

various textures and shades of green. In fall, bush cloverblooms, cascading chrysanthemums line the walkways, andthe leaves of many trees and shrubs begin to turn brilliantcolors. Winter holds special interest because of the waysnow piles on the pruned junipers, looking like blossomsabout to burst; and the pine trees create fascinating shadowson the snow-covered ground. At all times of the year, the

peaceful nature of the garden allows visitors to sit quietly,listen to the birds and enjoy the beauty of the garden.

ART114 Japanese Gardens Sources

Documents

Transcript of ART114 Japanese Gardens Sources