Silver Birch: Planted by Japan’s Crown Princess Michiko in the Year Our Garden Was Created

In this month’s article, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy writes about the silver birch tree planted by Japan’s Crown Princess Michiko in 1960, the year the Seattle Japanese Garden was created.

Stories of Pacific Northwest Issei Artists Who Achieved Recognition in the Years Before World War II:

In a new blog series, Corinne Kennedy writes about three Japanese artists who lived and worked in early 20th-century Seattle. By the 1930s, their paintings were winning recognition and awards. However, world War II upended their lives, and until recently their work was largely erased from local art history. Part 1 of the series features artist Kamekichi Tokita. Read More

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Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina’ Has Light Pink Flowers Beginning in Late Spring

As the Seattle Japanese Garden transitions from spring’s bold flower colors to summer’s rich shades of green, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy writes about a charming deciduous shrub, Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina,’ that blooms from late spring to early or mid-summer. With its low, dwarf habit and subtle light pink flowers, ‘Alpina’ is part of the Garden’s essential “supporting cast.” Three plants remain of the many that were planted in 1969. Read More.

Issei Contributions to Pacific Northwest Horticulture: Stories for Asian American Native Hawai'ian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Stories for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

In celebration of May’s AANHPI Heritage Month, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy shares stories of Issei individuals and their families whose horticulturally-related businesses—including landscaping companies, plant nurseries, and greenhouses—made significant contributions to Pacific Northwest horticulture, garden design and public parks.

Rhododendron ‘Unique’ Has Lovely Ivory White Spring Flowers

The Seattle Japanese contains many “true” rhododendrons as well as azaleas (shrubs also in the genus Rhododendron). One of them is Rhododendron ‘Unique’, which has long been popular in the Pacific Northwest. It has very attractive evergreen foliage and charming ivory white flowers that open from pale salmon-pink buds.

New Flowering Cherries Planted in the Restored Meadow

Last month, the garden crew from Seattle Parks and Recreation completed the final phase of the meadow restoration project in the Japanese Garden. This involved the planting of 11 beautiful new flowering cherry trees in the upper section of the meadow, which overlooks the Moon Viewing Platform by the Garden’s pond.

Garden Maintenance, In the Garden, Plants and Blooms, SpringGuest UserJanuary 17, 2024cherry blossoms, Cherry, Trees

Fall-Blooming ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’ Camellias Are Recent Additions to the Garden

Three young sasanqua camellias have been planted in the the northeast corner of the Garden, replacing several large rhododendrons that had reached the end of their lifespans. Young specimens of ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’, they may not bloom for several years.

Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedyOctober 19, 2023plants, pinus mugo, conifers, matsu, pines

Attractive in All Seasons: Mugo Pine

ATTRACTIVE IN ALL SEASONS: MUGO PINE

Pinus mugo is a commonly available but often undervalued pine species. More than 20 plants grace the Seattle Japanese Garden, most planted near the Garden’s central pond. Learn More at seattlejapanesegarden.org

Plants and BloomsCorinne KennedySeptember 12, 2023plants, pinus mugo, conifers, matsu, pines

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