We recently visited Bob and Linda Vivian’s beautiful Pennsylvania garden (Gardening in Pennsylvania), and today Bob is welcoming us back to take a tour of their Japanese-style garden.
This view looks through a tangle of the trunk of the fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus, Zones 3–9). It’s not a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9), which would be more traditional in a Japanese garden, but it has character and age.
I look at some of the stones in this picture and remember when Linda and I rolled them around like giant marbles. Ever try to get a 250 lb. rock to sit perfectly on the first try?
At the forefront is Hosta ‘Praying Hands’ (Zones 3–9)—so unique, so architectural. I love ’em. I had never seen them before, nor have I seen them since. In the background at top right is the stone bench that I meditate from. Because it’s stone, you can’t meditate long in the cold weather.
I found this small iron kettle half buried at a job site many years ago. I like it in this spot. Beyond, in the upper left, is the perennial garden filled with color and pollinators. It’s a wonderful contrast.
This is the full view of the entire garden. You can see that the Japanese-style garden is not very big. It does, however, have everything as I intended. It’s been my dream for a long time. I’m satisfied.
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