Grrrrrrr. I'm an anatomically incorrect stuffed eel toy and I'm about to take Seattle! I'm a lean, mean, green, garden stalking machine. |
While he was pouring samples at another shop in West Seattle I sat in the car and played with my new camera. It's a Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and I think I'm in love. Seriously.
While I was in the car I realized that on our way back into the city we could revisit a garden that I'd only seen once during a winter trip to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show: Kubota Garden.
We bloggers will be visiting the Bloedel Reserve on Monday so the least I could do was revisit the garden left behind by Fujitaro Kubota. He was a Japanese immigrant from the island Shikoku, a self-taught gardener, and a man who became a keystone to what is called the Northwest Garden Style. He also designed the Japanese garden at the Bloedel Reserve.
An island of Bergenia cordifolia. |
Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo.' |
The green canvases he painted with a textural brush are so calming and peaceful.
As you walk through the scenes, experiencing the layers, it feels cleansing and refreshing.
There are nooks and paths that lead to views.
You may even find a place to rest in the small forest. It was planned and planted in such a way as to make the space seem larger and longer. This is very pleasing to the eye.
There are two red bridges. One bridge is lower and wider.
Red berried of a Vaccinium parvifolium. |
The other bridge is higher and is more of a Moon bridge.
As we left the garden we both noticed the construction that we'd seen several years ago was now complete and that they'd added a new wall and passageway into the garden. The contemporary construction includes "tiles" made of rusted metal rectangles which truly enhance the garden with their weathering. Additionally, the concrete blocks reminded me a great deal of the Gordon House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, where I used to work. Do you like the wall finished or unfinished? I love either, but I think that the raw and unfinished wall could look a lot worse. It truly is kind of interesting.
I've not yet met any of the other garden bloggers, but I certainly feel as though I've arrived. I look forward also to deeper contemplation of the Northwest Garden Style that means so much to me. Cheers to you Seattle!
I hope the Fling is fun...wish I could have gone...oh well :-( I was actually up in Seattle last weekend and made aside-trip out to the Bellevue Botanical Garden...it was actually pretty nice!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden. I will brag for a second and say that I have 'Ukigumo' Japanese maple and I love it. Have a wonderful time!
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ReplyDeleteScott, I am having a wonderful time and I wish you could have come too. Same for you Grace! It has only been one day so far and I am loving it. Visiting Seattle gardens with busloads of Hort Heads is really amazing.
ReplyDeletePS Grace, I will brag too once I have my own Ukigumo! It is such an amazing maple!
I'm glad you're having a blast, Ann! I am too. I'm finally getting my head wrapped around all the names and faces. Is your husband here at the hotel too? Hang on, are you staying here?
ReplyDeleteHope your achy feet have settled down.
Alison,
ReplyDeleteWe are just a few doors down at the Travelodge. As for the sore feet, I just rested them with a nice drive in a convertible to a restaurant on Lake Washington. It's so nice having an old friend from high school to visit up here! She spoils me and I love it.