GRANT US THE SERENITY...Byline: Pam Waterman Correspondent You know immediately when you're in a Japanese garden Japanese gardens (Kanji 日本庭園, nihon teien), that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, at Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, and at historical landmarks such as old castles. . It's calm and peaceful with the soothing sound of water or raked sand suggesting waves in the sea. The stones are arranged to represent mountains. Everything is intended to convey a sense of serenity. The plants are purposefully pruned to show off their inner structure. There's rarely any flower color to distract you from looking at nature on a miniature scale. For more than 13 centuries, the Japanese have strived to bring a quiet refinement to their landscapes. You can add a touch of this lovely Japanese aesthetic to your home without redoing your entire landscapes. The only requirement is a small section of garden where you can arrange stones, plants and a water feature. The goal is to create a place of peace where nature can help to calm the inner landscape. Fortunately, there are many first-rate Japanese gardens in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, where you can study the Americanized version of the Japanese garden and borrow ideas. Tucked in next to Los Angeles' Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys is a beautiful Japanese garden. When you step into the garden, you'll be captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. by the serenity of the design and the beautifully trimmed black pines. You'll forget that on the other side of the sleek gray building, they are reclaiming water for the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . This garden, designed by renowned Japanese landscape architect Dr. Koichi Kawana, displays both a ``dry garden'' composed of a traditional arrangement of stones, gravel, bonsai-style pines and shrubs and a ``wet garden'' with a waterfall and Japanese tea house as focal points focal point n. See focus. . The Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens A botanical garden is a place where plants, especially ferns, conifers and flowering plants, are grown and displayed for the purposes of research, conservation, and education. in San Marino San Marino, city, United States San Marino (săn mərē`nō), residential city (1990 pop. 12,959), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1913. Of interest is the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. is a more familiar area example. In its canyonlike setting, this mature garden shows off many plants typically used in oriental gardens: wisteria wisteria (wĭstēr`ēə) or wistaria (–târ`–), any plant of the genus Wisteria, , Japanese maple, sago palm sago palm cycasrevoluta. , camellias and shaped pine trees. In addition, the teahouse at the top of the hill is a masterpiece of the beautiful spare design we associate with Japanese architecture Japanese architecture, structures created on the islands that constitute Japan. Evidence of prehistoric architecture in Japan has survived in the form of models of terra-cotta houses buried in tombs and by remains of pit houses of the Jomon, the neolithic people of . The Japanese garden at Descanso Gardens Descanso Gardens is a 160-acre botanical garden and historical site located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA. Situated in a natural “bowl” in the San Rafael Hills, this calming, urban retreat is just 14 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. in La Canada Flintridge shows how to deal with shady conditions. Native oak trees dominate the landscape throughout Descanso and plants were chosen that could thrive in the filtered shade. Japanese maples, azaleas and camellias grow around a pond and teahouse that is bordered by bamboo. Flowering cherries have been planted where sun manages to shine through the larger trees. Yet another garden based on Japanese design principles is located close to UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden. This very small, steep garden was built in 1961 using authentic materials and Japanese workmanship. It has matured into a lovely oriental jewel of a landscape, worth a visit by anyone remotely interested in oriental gardens. But not even these four wonderful local gardens compare to the real thing. Last summer, I visited Japan on a walking tour and managed to see almost three gardens a day. Each one was different, each one a study in perfection. Even though I've always loved the beautiful simplicity of Japanese gardens and have always had a small touch of the Orient in my own home and garden, I returned to California ready to make a real change. I've decided that I have to have some part of my garden that will remind me of the wonderful landscapes I saw in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa. One of the most beautiful sights I enjoyed in Tokyo was the stand of azaleas in the Royal Palace. Even though I had seen pictures of azaleas pruned into a hedge, I was surprised at how beautiful they were in reality. Not far away stood huge beds of Japanese iris in full bloom full bloom the stage of a crop when two-thirds of the plants are in flower; the crop is mature. . It seemed as if every photographer in Tokyo, myself included, was trying to capture the fleeting beauty of these large-petaled iris. And, except for cherry trees earlier in the season, that's the most color you'll find in the typical Japanese garden. This means that if you plant one of these gardens you must be able to revel in the beauty of foliage plants the rest of the year. Since there's so little color, Japanese garden designers pay careful attention to the other elements of the garden such as stones, fences, lanterns and plants. One of the easiest ways to add a touch of the Orient is to work with plants that are typically Japanese. Bamboo is a good choice. Nothing says ``Japan'' more than this wonderful, fast-growing member of the grass family. If you think bamboo is too invasive, confine it to containers. I've dealt with bamboo that seemed as though it wanted to take over all of Southern California. A nice big concrete box keeps it in check. South Pasadena South Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə), city (1990 pop. 23,936), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1888. Medical supplies, clothing, and transportation and electronic equipment are manufactured. resident Jim Stolaroff wanted a peaceful viewing garden off his bedroom window. Eight years ago, Steve Bilheimer designed for him a small Japanese-style landscape with small stones, a lantern and fountain under the shade of a mature Japanese maple. Nandina Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo or Sacred bamboo), is a suckering shrub in the Barberry family, Berberidaceae; it is a monotypic genus, with this species as its only member. It is native to eastern Asia from the Himalaya east to Japan. , sago palms, lirope and aspidistra aspidistra Any plant of the genus Aspidistra (lily family), native to eastern Asia and known for ornamental foliage. The only cultivated species is a houseplant commonly known as cast-iron plant (A. elatior, or A. (or cast-iron plant) complete the composition. ``Every morning I wake up and look out at my little garden,'' Stolaroff said. ``It's a wonderful and peaceful way to begin the day.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Japanese wisdom, that's exactly what our gardens should do: bring us peace in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of a hectic and crowded world. And that's what this style does best. There are several books available in local bookstores to assist you in creating a Japanese touch in your garden. The one I often turn to is ``Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces'' by Isao Yoshikawa. It includes step-by-step illustrations on how to construct gates, how to place stones and how to rake gravel for dry streams. Experiment with Japanese gardening principles and you will discover why the simple garden is often the most peaceful and beautiful. Where the gardens are The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino (626) 405-2141 Hours: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: $8.50 Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive La Canada Flintridge (818) 952-4400 Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $5 Donald C. Tillman Japanese Garden 6100 Woodley Ave. Van Nuys (818) 756-8166 Hours: Open strolling is generally offered in the afternoons Monday through Thursday. Docent-led tours are conducted by appointment. Call before visiting as the garden is often used for private events. Admission: $3 general, $2 seniors and students. UCLA Hannah Carter Japanese Garden Westwood Campus (310) 825-4574 Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays by reservation. Admission: Free CAPTION(S): 10 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2 -- cover -- color) In Search of ZEN Gardeners can find inspiration at Southern California's Japanese gardens (3 -- color) The Moon Bridge in the Japanese Garden at Huntington Library in San Marino is reflected in still water. (4 -- 7 -- color) Above, serenity is the keystone of this garden in Kyoto, Japan, which features azaleas and a Japanese maple tree. At left, water reflects simple images and wooden walkways allow up-close enjoyment in the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, where smooth river rocks, below left, reflect the silent passage of time. Trees in the Japanese Garden are pruned to show their bare-bones structure, below. (8 -- color) no caption (bamboo) (9 -- 10) At left, a simple water feature graces the compact garden of Jim Stolaroff's South Pasadena home. At right, a decorative stone Geographical list of stone used for decorative purposes in construction and sculpture; currently or historically produced in various countries.
Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: Where the Gardens are (see text) |
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