For Whom the Bell Tolls

In addition to the molded carp, I was also able to purchase a large bell for the garden from the Portland Japanese Garden gift shop.

I have been considering some sort of ornamental bell for several years. I came  across many examples while visiting Japan this summer, both medium sized and huge, which further inspired me to consider the inclusion of a bell in my own garden. 

When I saw the bell  (below) on display at the gift shop, I was intrigued. The bell was the creation of Tom Torrens, a well known and respected sculptor. I liked the simple design and the bronze color. The bell did not resemble a traditional Bonsho (tsurigane) bell, or hanging bell, like the ones found in most Buddhist temples (pictured above). Instead, it reflected an arts & crafts style associated with the Pacific Northwest. Nevertheless it held some Asian inspired elements. 

More importantly, when I heard the tone of the bell, I was instantly convinced that this was the bell I was looking for. Watch the video below to hear what the bell sounds like:

Now I have to decide how to hang the bell. It weighs 18 pounds, so its a bit heavy. It came with a matching hook that mounts to an upright post, like a 4 x4. However, I am considering several options. Primarily, I would like the structure which holds the bell to have a roof, preferably four sided and similar to the fukihanachi style of Japanese bell towers.

Below are some examples of bell stands I have come across online:

The first three are obviously too large, while the last three could work. However, I was hoping for a four legged-roofed structure. It would have to be narrow and appropriately sized for the bell and the space where I intend to place it, most likely near the back door where it could act as a sort of door bell. I will spend a good part of the next few months planning and working on a design.

Carp in the Bed

A carp leaps up
crinkling
the autumn moonlight
- Masaoka Shiki

While visiting the Portland Japanese garden, I came across a pair of carp made of molded cement in the gift shop. I like the shape, size, and low profile. I also like that they had a greenish tint to them. I had always been on the lookout for something that would allow me to imply water in the bed of the garden, but I did not want to add anything to ticky-tacky. These molded carp were perfect., so I purchased two and had them shipped home.

The carp arrived today and I proceeded to set them in place. First, I removed some of the large stones and placed a small level bed of pea stone where the carp would rest without fear of damage. Once placed, I hand placed some of the more medium sized stones around the carp. I didn't want them buried under rocks, nor did I want them popping out and resting on top of the bed. 

As you move away, they are a bitter harder to see.

From the edge of the garden they are almost invisible to the eye.

This is exactly how I want them to appear. I want the visitor to the garden to be surprised by the appearance of the carp. Its sort of like a Zen experience. If you go looking for them you won't find them, but if your just standing there taking in the view, then perhaps you will be surprised by their sudden appearance - enlightenment at its best.

Here is an alternative angle from which they might be viewed:

My Japanese Garden Adventure

On June 28 I traveled to Japan to spend two weeks visiting Japanese gardens and castles. I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Himeji.

I've been back a couple weeks now and just finished compiling over 3,500 photos into a much smaller collection of some of the best shots. 

I didn't want to include them all in this blog, so I created a separate blog site just for the trip - "My Japanese Garden Adventure." There you will be able to read a brief introduction about each site visited and look at some of the best photos of each.

In addition, I added a separate direct link for each site visited in the "Other Gardens" page of this blog.

In the second half of August I will be heading out to Portland, Oregon to visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. After I get back, I will add those to the links as well.

Summer Adjustments

My plans for any large scale projects in the garden have all been on hold this summer, the results of having to deal with the septic tank and leach field issues (new grass starting to fill in, but weeds a major issue) and my travels to Japan to visit gardens in Kyoto (postings to come later).

Now that both of those issues are in the past, I have been able to make some adjustments within the garden that I think will improve the design and views.

I decided that I did not like the look of the Boulevard Cypress Oriental Pompon (Chamaecyparis pisifera "Cyano-virdis') that I had planted in the are at the end of the East Gate stroll area last fall. 

When I had designed the layout, I had always intended that spot for a dwarf Japanese maple (although I almost acquired a nice dwarf pine). However, I was to cheap to buy one last year and settled on the Oriental Pompom (it was on sale and very cheap at the time I purchased it). This summer I was able to find a Red Select Japanese Maple (Acer palmate dissect 'Red Select') that was on sale. 

So, I removed the Pompom and replaced it with the Maple. In time the Maple should fill in this area very well.

I then moved the Pompom to within the garden, in the location with the Tachidōrō (or Kasuga-dōrō), or pedestal lantern. 

The lantern had shifted significantly as a result of not having used gravel as a base when I first placed the lantern. However, I have been disappointed with the location for the last couple of years. It was difficult to see the lantern from within the garden unless one was sitting on the S-shaped bench at the far end. The lantern could barely be seen from the patio/gazebo sitting area, where most people took in the garden view. Once I disassembled and removed the lantern (It was very heavy), I placed the Pompom in the center of the location. 

The Pompom will have room to grow on all sides and because there is no greenery at the base of this plant, I did not have to alter the existing plantings that were already there. I did remove and relocate a small Japanese Painted Fern, but everything else remained untouched. I also added a Astilbe 'Bridal Veil" False Spirea in the location where the fern had been. 

I am hoping it grows enough to cover the view of the cinderblocks from the garage foundation. I also liked the idea that this plant would produce white flowers in the spring. It likes partial shade, so it may do well in this location.

I then moved the lantern out to the area in front of the main entry gate. I placed it on the left side, opposite of where I had placed the garden name sign. I thought having two items, instead of one, in front of the gate would be more balanced. In addition, the lantern would provide more interest as people entered the garden. 

In order to place the lantern in that location, I had to move one of the Hosta forward. Once the lantern was placed, I also planted a Japanese Painted Fern behind the lantern to help fill in the void. I then did the same for the opposite side, moving one Hosta from behind the sign to in front. I also placed a fern in the void behind the sign. Finally, I placed two Carex 'Silver Scepter' Japanese Sedge Grass plants just in front of each gate post and next to the lantern and sign. 

I was inspired to follow this design after having viewed similar designs while visiting gardens in Japan.

Finally, I added two annuals that I purchased for $4.00 to a couple of dead zones in the garden (places where plants were eaten by critters). The first was Angelonia - Serena Purple.

The second was Impatiens 'sunpatiens spread white.' 

I don't usually add these type of annuals, but it was quick and easy. It will also help to keep the garden looking nice while I consider some more long term perennial options.

The Frog in the Well

Turns out that a new resident has moved into the garden. A frog has made himself at home in the Mioshi Post lantern. 

I'm not sure what type of frog he is, but I have seen hime crawl out at night and walk along the edge with his suction-cup like feet. Interestingly, he is able to change his colors to match that of the granite of the post.

I like him, so I won't be lighting any candles on the lantern anytime soon. With luck, maybe he will come out at night and hunt down slugs.

Shady Additions

I spent the weekend making some adjustments and adding some new plants.

The Delosperma ('Mesa Verde' Ice Plant) was only in a couple weeks and I noticed it was already being eaten by slugs. So, rather than let it continue its slow decline, I decided to transplant it into a pot and try to save it before it was killed off. For now, I will leave it in a sunny place behind our garden shed, well out of the reach of slugs.

In its place, I planted a Epimedium grandiflorum ('Spring Wedding'). 

This plant will grow slowly and loves shade. It only produce a small flower in early spring, but I liked the foliage. It should be large enough (8-12 ") to fill the area where planted, but not grow so much that it spreads. we will see if slugs go for this or not.

In the same general area along the stone stairs, I also planted a Viola "Heartthrob" (Hardy violet). 

This plant likes shade and will only grow to about 8-12". Im using it near the top of the stairs in a small niche that was unplanted. Both plants along the stairway should fill in over time and add some interest to the stairway.

Just off to the side of the stairway there was another niche needing a small plant. So, I placed a single Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum). 

It needs full sun, so It might not do so well. Given the size of the niche, I thought it was worth the risk. The plant was also very inexpensive.

Near the Dwarf Korean Fir (Abies koreana 'Cis') I planted last year I wanted to add a couple of small Daylily 'Stella de Oro" (Hemerocallis Hybrid). 

These plants will only get to about 12" and will bloom with a small yellow flower. They will do well in part shade, so near the northern top edge of the garden, they should get some light. Currently, their small size will fill in the two large gaps on either side of the Dwarf Korean Fir as I wait for that plant to slowly fill in over time.


I also decided to move a Lungwart plant along the north-west portion of the garden to make room for an annual Sundaze Flame Strawflower. The Lungwart was in the center of this bed area, so I moved it to the end corner.

The Sundaze Flame Starflower has a very bright flower and a texture almost paper-like. I am hoping the texture deters slugs. Bright flowering plants usually never stand a chance in the garden against slugs, we will have to wait and see.

At the very far southwestern corner of the garden, I planted a Hosta ('Pineapple Upside Down Cake'). 

Its a medium size Hosta with long and narrow leaves. These type of Hosta are becoming more widely available in this region and I had yet to plant anything like it. Of course, it loves shade so it should thrive. My only concern is that it is that I planted it in an area that has been slowly surrounded by a Green Mound Juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Green Mound’). I will probably trim back the Juniper, but over time, I may need to relocate the Hosta.

Near the Tachidōrō (or Kasuga-dōrō), or pedestal lantern by the back gate I decided to move the Melting Fire Coral Bell (Heuchera 'Melting Fire'). It had already been moved once before and was just not growing - probably not enough sunlight. I also had another elsewhere, by the back door corner, so I potted the two and placed them in a sunny area to see what happens. I have never really had much luck with this plant.

In place of the Melting Fire Coral Bell, I planted a Lungwort (Pulmonary 'Moonshine'). 

I have had good success with these type of plants given all the shade in the garden. This plant should grow to about 15-20 ". The silver white leave colors are a bit different than my other Pulmanaria and should help fill in this space.

Finally, I came across a very colorful Variegated Stonecrop (Sedum 'Veriegatum'). 

Its a spread evergreen ground cover with yellow flowers. It likes sun and shade and will spread about 9 x 24" I placed it in the corner area near the backdoor where one of the Melting Fire Coral Bells had been. I really liked the color and am hoping it does well in this area.

The Month of May

We have had hardly any rain this spring - almost nothing in April or throughout May. As a result, I set up the sprinkler system early and set the timer to water twice a day. The soil had been bone dry and the plants were suffering. After getting the sprinklers going, everything took off.

The garden is now doing well and I have had to do very little beside general clean up. Its nice to see that the long term plants that have survived over the last 5 years are self sustaining. As a result, I can enjoy the garden more than having to constantly maintain and replace plants.

I was very happy to see that the Sugar & Spice Foamflower (Tiarella 'Sugar & Spice') I planted last spring survived the winter and deep frost. It flowered early this spring and looks very nice adding some nice white flowers to the predominantly green garden (below, center-left).

I did add a couple of new plants to fill in some small gaps. 

Delosperma ('Mesa Verde' Ice Plant)

This is a full sun/part shade plant with star-like salmon-pink flowers that should bloom throughout the summer. As a ground cover for rock gardens, it should do well along the central steps in the small rocky-gravel area. I am concerned that the slugs will eat it up, so I am not sure how long it will last or if it will have a chance to get established. Only time will tell.

Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia polyehroma)

This is a tall mounded plant that will produce small bright yellow flowers and then turn reddish in the fall. It does require full sun, so I am taking a chance placing it in the garden, but it is in a location that gets morning sunlight (same spot as last year's Variegated lily Turf Grass, which did not make it through the winter). Not sure if it will make it long term or not - again, the slugs like flowering plants, and there are lots of slugs in the rock garden.

Goldilocks Rocks (Bidens)

I decided to plant this annual along the side of the back garage door - I have had luck placing Bidens here before and they usually last all summer as long as I keep the slugs off.

Earth Angel Hosta (Hosta x'Earth Angel')

This year I am doing something different with the two large red pots. Every year I would spend almost $100 filling the pots with large flowering plants. Generally they looked great but often never survived past mid summer due to slugs liking the flowing plants. So, this year I decided to place two Hosta in the pots. 

 

These Earth Angel Hosta have large foliage with a blueish-great tint, somewhat different than most of the other variety of Hosta elsewhere in the garden. The large leaves do a good job of hiding the top of the pots. They will eventually bloom with a large pale lavender flower mid summer. So far I think they look nice. They should also last a while, even in buckets. Eventually, if they get to large, I can split them and plan the new potions elsewhere in the garden.

Overall, the garden is doing well. I will be going to Japan at the end of June to visit gardens and castles in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Himeji. As a result, I am not planning on any major changes until after that time. In the mean time, I am going to sit back and take in the view.

Chippy Returns

Now that May is finally here, plants are blooming and staring to flower. In addition, my old nemesis has returned - Chippie the chipmunk. I awoke this morning to find him seated on top of the Yukimi lantern, daring me to try and catch him. 

 For now, I will let him go, but if he and his friends eat the roots of my plants, it will be war!

Spring Arrives

"It's spring:
to my heart's content
I gaze at the treetops
shrouded in haze
and budding."
Princess Shikishi

Another year, another long cold winter has come and gone. Spring is finally here! 

We had a large amount of snow and some of it has yet to melt. 

However, today was the first day when I could get out into the garden to see how much clean up and repair work will be needed. 

I started by cutting back the dead bamboo shoots on all of the clumping bamboo plants. I was able to get to them this year before the new shoots have emerged, making the cutting much easier. 

 

The new shoots should begin to sprout in the next couple of weeks. It will take some time for the plants to grow back and fill in - usually mid to late August before the reach full size.

I also had to fix the latch on the back gate. At some point during the winter, the gate doors kept swinging about - they had about an inch of play to move back and forth. I didn't think it would be an issue, but the wind this winter was strong enough to eventually dislodge the latch. Once the snow fell to almost two feet and froze, I couldn't do much about it. I placed my stone turtle on the inside to help keep the gate in place as the snow melted. I eventually decided to replace the latch with a cane bolt. 

It works very well. The doors are now very secure and have no play at all. It also looks nice as well. The bolt will also make it more difficult for unwelcome guests to get in. I probably should have used a cane bolt in the first place.