A Japanese Stroll Garden
On the Island we are lucky enough to call a handful of Japanese gardens some of the most authentic in the world outside of Japan. Along with the Butchart Gardens and Royal Roads University, the Takata Japanese and Zen Garden offers us a lovely example of a traditional Japanese garden. Located at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific in Saanich on Vancouver Island, the Takata Garden is one of the larger and more established gardens at the HCP. The garden takes its name from the Takata family, the original owners of a Japanese garden in Esquimalt from 1907-1942. In 2008, neighbours of the garden generously donated two 100+ year old Japanese maples to the HCP in honour of the Takata family and their legacy. One of them is planted at the main Takata entrance gate, be sure not to miss it.
As the name “stroll garden” suggests, the garden experience is meant to feel understated, with winding pathways and a park-like setting, evoking the experience of being in nature. However, as with all Japanese gardens, nature in this sense is very carefully cultivated and presented through traditional pruning techniques, cultural ornamentation, and intentional design methods.
The main entrance to the garden with one of the 100 year old Japanese maples just showing on the left side of the image.
We can experience the stroll garden effect at the Takata Garden in the multiple pathways that meander either side of the stream in a loop. Along the way, there are carefully chosen spots to sit and enjoy the view. The design of the pathways and careful placement of stones gently encourage visitors to slow down, consider the planting, and enjoy the forest.
Stroll gardens employ two techniques to provide interest: one, "hide-and-reveal," which uses winding paths and structures to hide scenery so the visitor does not see it until he or she is at the best view point; and two, “borrowing of scenery” which means creating vantage points to view scenery outside the garden.
Hide-and-reveal: a winding path hides the Yatsuhashi Bridge down below.
The Yatsuhashi Bridge
“Borrowing of scenery” is created really well at the Moon Viewing Bridge. From this vantage point, one can see to the lake and forest beyond. The view is stunning, especially in summer when the planting is lush. This effect is also created at the lower pond from the bench house at the Ceremonial Teahouse. Here you can view the garden, the wider landscape, and take in the dramatic Miscanthus gigantus which is used throughout the garden to make bamboo-like fences and gates.
The Moon Viewing Bridge with views to the lake and forest beyond.
View from the Ceremonial Teahouse over the lower pond. The Miscanthus gigantus is brilliant orange at this time of year.
The garden is planted in a woodland style with an emphasis on Japanese plants. There are many ferns, irises, rhododendrons, azaleas, hostas, camellias, and various conifers with many of the plants pruned in a Japanese style. The selection of plants is diverse and labeled in latin as expected in a botanic garden—perfect for brushing up on your plant id. Spring and summer are my favourite times of the year to visit this garden and if you go in spring, around April or May, you will experience the beauty of both the Rhododendron and Native gardens which lead you toward the Takata Garden. I would highly recommend this time of year above all.
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