Butchart Garden
Japanese Garden Photo Tour

Japanese Garden

If you had any doubt as to where you were in the many acres of Butchart Gardens, this Japanese archway will immediately situate you on the map - Japanese Garden.

The horticultural flavor immediately shifts to the Orient, including the appearance of the foot bridges and the Japanese statuettes.

From the Japanese maples and other typical species of plants to the treatments of these plants, you'll be awed at the beauty of the Japanese Garden.

Ponds and creeks meander through the Japanese Garden, crossed by bright red Japanese bridges.

Spring and Summer

Rhodies are blooming along the entry pathway to the Japanese Garden

Bonzaied Japanese maple near the entrance of the Japanese Garden in springtime

Japanese maple in the Japanese Garden in summertime

That last photo on the right above is a Japanese pine. It remains evergreen throughout the year. No, the tree is not on fire; rather, autumn has finally beset the Park...

Butchart Garden
Japanese Garden in Autumn

Thanks to Acer palmatum, the Japanese Maple, which explodes into vivid reds and oranges as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, the Japanese Garden also bursts dramatically into color in the fall. While there is still plenty of green for contrast, it is difficult to count the number of fiery hues one will encounter. They run the gamut from nearly purple through red and orange, and even to yellow. It is a sight to behold.

Butchart Garden Japanese Garden is aflame in autumn reds and oranges

Sharp contrast between pale green (left) and flaming red (right)

Genius was the juxtaposition of a single tree's pale green foliage against the inexhaustible reds and oranges of autumn. Even in summertime, the pale and peaceful tree nearly glows, providing relief from the overwhelming greenness.

Zen

Since this is probably my single favorite tree within all the Butchart Gardens, let's take one more look at this majestic bonzaied maple, which may very well date to the early 1900's and Mr. Isaburo Kishida, designer of the Japanese Garden.

Vibrant red foliage reflects in the stepping-stone pond.

Another Japanese maple which has been bonzaied in an entirely different shape.

From outside looking into the Japanese Garden beyond the foliage-covered fence.

Butchart Garden 
Japanese Garden in Winter

It's always green in Butchart Gardens, even in winter, thanks to a ubiquitous blanket of moss. Even the tree trunks are touched with green moss, but in winter, the rest of the tree is bare. During the peacefulness of winter is when you can admire the structure of the trees and recognize the skill of the gardeners who tend to them.

Below: My favorite bonzai has a few dead leaves remaining in the crown. (Maintenance had drained the pond and was making repairs to the plumbing.)

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Header Photo:
The Olympic Natl Park beaches are moving and unforgettable. This is Third Beach in the late afternoon.