The Other Half and I visited the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park last night for a members’ sneak peak of the completed Japanese Garden being unveiled this weekend. Throughout the past year or so we had been catching glimpses of the garden being constructed. Wooden walkways and buildings were constructed, hills and waterfalls were created, and large boulders and rocks were placed. Selected trees were left were they stood while more trees were added. Slowly the garden was taking shape.

The 8 acre garden was designed by Hoichi Kurisu. Central to the layout is a large pond encircled by a pathway. I really enjoyed the layering of textures with rocks, water, and vegetation throughout the garden.

The plant palette was really interesting because it was diverse within a species of plant but still reserved in the number of species. Some staples of the garden included hosta, iris, spirea, lilac, japanese maple (Acer palmatum), shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), and numerous conifers.

The trees throughout the garden were absolutely stunning. Included were niwaki, “garden trees pruned to look like the essence of mature trees.” Many of the trees brought into the garden and planted near the water’s edge were placed at an angle to simulate what would occur in nature. Still other trees provided berries to attract a host of song birds. The Other Half spotted a Cedar Waxwing. He then proclaimed the day a success due to his hobby of “uber-casual birding.”

The Other Half enjoyed the small paths that lure a viewer off the main trail to explore little pocket gardens and navigate across creeks via stepping stones. I look forward to returning to the garden to sit in one of those little areas, surrounded by the vegetation and the sounds of the water and birds. According to the literature we received during our visit, “The Japanese Garden aesthetic emerged from centuries of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs that emphasized a reverence for nature and a contemplative lifestyle.”

And of course it wouldn’t be a garden in our city without sculpture! We do love our sculpture here. Contemporary and more traditional sculpture embellished the already beautiful hardscape.

Traditional elements of a Japanese garden included bamboo and wood accents, a zen rock garden, gazebos, and a tea house.

Did I mention the textures?! Seriously, I just wanted to cuddle some of those conifers. Here are just a few examples.

I look forward to seeing the garden as it changes from season to season, especially in the winter. Next spring we will be able to visit pathways lined with blooming cherry trees. I’m also interested in experiencing the garden layout as it ages. Right now it appears so young! (Yes, I do realize it was just completed.) After several years, hopefully the moss will establish, the trees will settle in, and the foliage will begin to knit together. What a truly beautiful addition to our little city’s gardenscape.