But first, I took a picture of the most massive Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) I've ever seen across from the street from the Starbuck's there.
Hakone Garden dates back to 1918 when a pair of wealthy San Franciscans bought 18 acres of mixed oak-redwood forest on a logged out hillside. They hired Japanese architects and designers to build the garden; construction was completed by 1929. Ownership passed through different hands until 1966 when the city of Saratoga bought the property for $145,000. In 2000, the gardens were turned over to the private Hakone Foundation set up with seed money from the Packards. Admission is $5.
Lots of turtles and fish in the pond.
With all that algae, the water was probably getting slightly anaerobic. There was a lot of action by the waterfall.
Some of the Japanese maples have massive trunks.
And this wisteria allee was quite something.
Lots of interesting conifer dwarfing going on.
Can you see the bamboo and twine trusses used to shape the plant?
I should like to try that myself one day.
Behind the garden, the landscape reverts back to California.
7 comments:
So how did you like Hakone Gardens? I've never been there, believe it or not. I think I'd like to, maybe to get ideas. Where I have been is that area where you say "the landscape reverts back to California". Or quite close to that spot at any rate. I love it.
Emma
Very interesting place.
These wisterias are showing their real power.
Ewa
Hi chuck, I imagine you would be very attracted to the Japanese style of gardening, with your attention to minute detail. I do love the evergreens and water, so serene.
That's a beautiful garden I probably will never get to visit. Thank you for sharing it so I could see its beauty, too. I agree with Ewa - the power of the wisteria is evident in the photos.
What a pretty place. The water was a tad green for me though(-:
WOW. That's amazing... and the way the wisteria is trying its best to take down that huge wood-and-bamboo structure is awe-inspiring.
But I think that my favorite is the porch. I want to make my porch look like that.
Beautiful! I just love these gardens that have been established for so long...very cool to see such mature specimens. I hope my wisteria wants to look like that when it grows up!
Post a Comment