Seattle -- Reed Garden - Shinka Suru

Object Details

sova.aag.gca_ref33316
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6aaf1b542-abf7-46ec-848f-654356bf1328
General
The owners refer to their garden as "Japanese Fusion", meaning the application of Japanese landscape design principles on a property in the Pacific northwest. Their lakefront location and view of Mount Rainer provide two important Japanese garden elements, water and mountains. The property comprises just over one acre and is roughly rectangular with a "handle" to Lake Washington. The garden, first installed in 2009, is curvilinear surrounding the house with layers of colors and textures. The Japanese term Shinka Suru translates to unfolding which incorporates an empathic response to nature and location. This includes acknowledgment and expression of the seasons with a dwarf crab apple that berries in winter. Cloud pruning is another technique employed as a visual expression of the sky on earth. Structure is achieved through the selection and placement of stones and boulders which provide elevation, irregularity, texture, and viewing platforms. Two other hardscape features are meaningful in this garden. A moon gate in a side garden separates two symbolically different planting schemes. One approaches the moon gate under a canopy of golden bamboo that feels protective and emerges in the "mountains and water" symbolized by moss covered boulders that lead to an arc of white birch. The other structure is an asymmetrical bridge over two ponds that leads to the front door with a hidden fountain adding the sound of water. Japanese millstones are giant steppingstones in grass. There are more than 200 different trees, shrubs, ferns, perennials and herbs in the design including 52 different varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. The plant selection near the sandy shoreline is limited by the county but blueberries are allowed and are grown there. In 2013 a vegetable garden was installed in custom designed nonlinear Cor-ten steel raised beds that are visually impactful as well as practical. Persons associated with the garden's design: Terry Welch, landscape architect (2008); Cameron Scott, landscape architect for update of vegetable garden (2013).
Owner
Reed, William G., Jr.
Reed, Victoria
Photographer
Rosen, Jo Anne
Turner, Mary M.
Reed, William G., Jr.
Landscape architect
Welch, Terry
Scott, Cameron
Provenance
Seattle Garden Club
Collection Creator
Garden Club of America
Place
United States of America -- Washington -- King County -- Seattle
Reed Garden - Shinka Suru (Seattle, Washington)
Topic
Gardens -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Gardens, Japanese
Landscape gardening
Owner
Reed, William G., Jr.
Reed, Victoria
Photographer
Rosen, Jo Anne
Turner, Mary M.
Reed, William G., Jr.
Landscape architect
Welch, Terry
Scott, Cameron
See more items in
The Garden Club of America collection
The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Washington
Sponsor
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
Custodial History
The Seattle Garden Club facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation in 2023.
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.GCA, File WA065
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Collection Rights
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Scope and Contents
11 digital images (2014-2016, 2022) and 1 folder (digital).
Collection Restrictions
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
AAG.GCA_ref33316
Large EAD
AAG.GCA
AAG
Record ID
ebl-1690297503680-1690301401227-0
Seattle -- Reed Garden - Shinka Suru
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