Tales from Tateshina

I didn’t really know what to expect. It was my first visit to Japan; anyone I met just told me it was very different. I had met Miss and Mr Yamada at Chelsea, also Mr Ito from the nursery we had supplied Hillier plants to. Mr Nishimoto from the Barakura garden centre and Mr Ito had visited earlier in the year, along with others associated with the garden.
At the airport I met Andy and Dave from the Brownsover Fish Bar bound for Barakura to cook fish and chips for the Japanese visitors – Yes, it sounds unlikely, but after a few days it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. We met other members of the English party at Narita airport and we boarded the coach for the four hour drive to Tateshina under the guidance of the charming Mr Yamezaki – our host and source of all guidance for the next few days. We stopped en route for a staggeringly good meal of noodles, tempura and broth at the motorway service station. From the outset this unlikely mix of people seemed to gel. We all come from very different walks of life, different parts of the country, and even different parts of the world. But it was a bit like the Chelsea show team – We all had something in common – an objective – To bring an aspect of English life to Japan, and to enjoy and learn from the experience.
The whole Barakura experience is somewhat surreal. Each day we travel the short distance to the garden by coach – The English team arriving together, smiling and waving to the waiting queue of visitors that we meet during the day. On Sunday morning we arrive at the garden in a fleet of Morgan cars – our celebrity status rockets! Morgan Morning!


Each day starts with the morning opening ceremony where the English visitors are introduced to the waiting visitors. We stand on the steps while Mr Yamada introduces us – we bow, perhaps a little self consciously and we feel proud to be part of it all.
The opening ceremony, the commemorative tree planting, the speeches, appearance on Japanese television and the serious job of judging; there are so many aspects to every day. Those of us giving lectures all try to do our best through our wonderfully supportive and understanding interpreters. I love working with Kathy (a Barakura Master!). My biggest concern is always whether I am getting my message across to the audience, when I can’t communicate directly.
I really hope I did! Ian and Tina from Peter Beales Roses joined us on Saturday and were plunged straight into the lecture programme with three sessions on their second day. Their initial concerns were just the same as mine.
The whole trip was only a week from beginning to end – but what a rich experience. It seemed a lot longer and our arrival at Narita on that first evening seems a lifetime way. We were made so welcome and the hospitality of our Japanese hosts was overwhelming. We had a lot laughs and many memorable moments that will stay with us. It was hard to leave – just as it is at the end of every Chelsea show – a mixture of exhaustion, emotion, satisfaction, elation and deflation.
It was my first visit to Japan and Barakura – some of the others have been going for three, four, five or even eight years. Would I go back? – well I’ve been doing Chelsea for 21 years – what do you think?

And a last word from the team:

Gardening Weather or Not - join me LIVE!

Cant make it to one of our stores for our popular"Gardening, Weather or Not" FREE to attend talks?- well now you can tune in and watch it LIVE! I will be broadcasting the talk LIVE at our HEMEL HEMPSTEAD garden centre next Wednesday 30th June at 10.30am, via the internet

We will be broadcasting from 10am so you can tune in to test your connection, but dont worry if you miss the talk - it will be available to view afterwards

The talk will cover Summer planting and colour combinations, how to get the best from Roses, and how to extend the gardening season, whatever the weather!

So, to view a test transmission, and to Bookmark the site ready for next wednesday, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hillier-at-the-chelsea-flower-show-2010

I look forward to you joining me, whatever the weather!

Borders or Bonsai?

Why would you want to create an English garden in Japan? For the same reason that you would want to create a Japanese garden in England – to experience a different type of gardening and to enjoy a different garden style. But are the Japanese and English ways of gardening so very different? Well, yes they are, but there are similarities.
Many Japanese gardens are very small, but so are many English gardens. Not every Japanese house has a well tended garden, and the same is certainly true in England. Beautiful Japanese gardens depend upon great attention to detail and careful control of the plants within them; this is true to a lesser extent in English gardens.
Japanese gardens use a very limited plant palette. Shrubs, as we know them are noticeably absent. Exquisitely shaped ancient trees, stones, moss and shade loving ferns and perennials predominate. There are no beds and borders and manicured lawns, and little in the way of colour from flowers, apart from the blooms of azaleas, iris and primulas. I was surprised by the presence of bedding plants in so many situations. Barakura uses them to add seasonal colour in best English tradition. Elsewhere they appear in roadside beds and in plastic troughs outside hotels, restaurants and shops. Even in private gardens boasting ancient bonsai, stone lanterns and carefully arranged stones plastic troughs of pansies seemed to find their way in to disturb the planting picture. To me this seemed one of the most obvious similarities between the two garden nations – this craving for colour at the expense of design!

The macro bonsai are remarkable; carefully pruned and trained to simulate trees that have survived the elements, whose growth has been controlled by nature, and that have lived through the centuries. Pines under a century old are mere youngsters.

We visited a Sake brewery built around a small courtyard garden dominated by a 350 year old pine – planted when the brewery was founded. This is certainly not a low maintenance garden subject – it requires careful pruning by specialists twice a year to preserve its cloud-form branches.
Imagine, if you have a garden with several macro bonsai, the maintenance is quite a commitment. This isn’t a job for a hedge trimmer. This is a task that requires dedication and extreme attention to detail. This is difference between the way the English and the Japanese garden. Japanese gardens follow more traditional rules: there is a right way to do things. The English have their rules, but most do not follow them. English gardens change over time and in most cases plants come and go – in Japanese gardens the main subjects are planted for the long term.
Hydrangeas abound in some areas. On the drive to Mr Ito’s nursery, south of Tokyo, we passed a river flanked by mophead hydrangeas as a far as the eye could see.

The temple near our hotel had a beautiful garden of rocks, water, azaleas and irises surrounded by cherry trees in a sea of long grass and white moon daisies – pure magic! Looking one way it was rather like being in an English orchard – in the other direction the red paintwork and shallow pitched roof with elegantly upturned eaves was unmistakeably Japanese.

About Barakura - It's a rosy life!

Barakura is an English Garden in a beautiful mountainous region of Japan known as the Japanese Alps. Started 20 years ago it is now well established and includes a thriving garden centre, cafe restaurant, Italian restaurant, and two boutiques featuring Rosy Life and Barakura fashion clothing designed by Miss Kay Yamada. Both are highly successful Designer Labels in Japan offered by more than 20 dedicated outlets in department stores throughout the country.
In addition Barakura is also a highly respected gardening school, the only one teaching the English way of gardening in Japan. It has over 600 students all aiming to become Masters under the instruction of Miss Kay, who leads pupils through all aspects of gardening, from basic cultivation to creative planting; container gardening being a speciality. Miss Kay’s brother, Mr Eugene Yamada, Director of Barakura oversees all aspects of a business made of many facets.
Barakura attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year, however visitor numbers increase dramatically during the Flower Show in June and the Harvest Festival in October. At this time there are programmes of free public lectures, container planting competitions for both novices and Masters, seminars, workshops, entertainment with a distinctly British flavour, and emphasis on British food. At the summer flower show guest trade stands offer the visitor art, clothing, jewellery, accessories, food, wine and antiques.
Regular trade exhibitors to the show include David and Lynn Crane. David is an artist working in oils. Some of his paintings are inspired by visits to Barakura and travels in Japan, others are very English garden. He sells originals, limited edition prints and teaches the art of painting in oils during the show.
Maria and her son in law David from New York specialise in jewellery, especially amber. Her collection is extensive and features both contemporary and traditional pieces. Her stand is obviously a destination that is high priority with many lady visitors – including my wife!
Now you may well be thinking, “What has this got to do with English Gardening?” For me this was one of the most English aspect of the show – Just like the Country Living marquee at Hampton Court. “Forget the flowers – give me a scarf any day!”
The garden centre offers a range plants, furniture, pots and accessories that you would find in a boutique English garden centre. Choice is limited in some areas – such as compost and fertilisers – what a relief!. In the container area Whichford predominates and maintains the profile it deserves. Peter Beales roses are regarded with great reverence, and are rightly seen as the ultimate ingredient in the English garden. I was enthralled by the range of seasonal plants destined for use in creative containers, and the guest clematis and succulent exhibitors offered superb ranges. I found myself choosing a delicate little Hydrangea serrata towards the end of the week – completely forgetting that I was in a garden centre on the other side of the planet!
And oh yes – Barakura stocks a range of Hillier shrubs and young trees. These plants that are such basics in the English garden are scarcely used in Japan. Out first shipment arrived at Barakura this spring. The plants have to be root washed for export so they were potted in Japan at Mt Ito’s nursery to the south of Tokyo – four hours by road from Barakura. Considering the timescale they looked pretty good and it was a great thrill for me to see Hillier plants on sale in the Barakura garden centre.
So what is Barakura like? Aspects of the garden struggle a little in the humid Japanese climate. The lavender isn’t happy and this year the roses are late blooming – they’ve had a cold winter – sounds very familiar doesn’t it? Does Barakura stand up as an English garden against other gardens in England? – Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. I have visited considerably less impressive English gardens which claim more and offer very much less.
And the atmosphere? Well, the same the world over where a garden is involved. Despite the language barrier you soon forget you are far from home. People are friendly, charming, enthusiastic and warm. Bara means rose and as I understand it Kura means something like “way of life” and yes, it’s a rosy life at Barakura

Reflections on a Tateshina Meadow

I first met Miss Kay Yamada at Chelsea Flower Show a few years ago when she created a garden called Reflections on a Tateshina Meadow. It was a delightful naturalistic garden based on the mountain meadows north of the Barakura English Garden. I especially remember the delicate yellow Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus she used in the garden, and I bought one for my own garden soon after the show on a garden tour to Normandy. Its fragrant yellow blooms were open when we left for Japan and seeing it in the garden reminded me of Reflections on a Tateshina Meadow and I wondered if we would have the opportunity to see these beautiful flowers in the wild.

Yesterday was another great Adventure in Gardening for me. Ra and I took a local bus up into the mountains to visit the Tateshina meadows. We travelled for about an hour and a half climbing steadily through paddy fields, gardens filled with cloud trees moss and azaleas, then through forests of Cornus controversa, Acer palmatum and a host of other familiar garden treasures in their natural habitat. We spotted wisterias high in the trees, actinidia, akebia and amazing ferns. As we climbed higher the trees thinned before falling below the road, here the hillsides are covered with soft orange azaleas, their sweet fragrance floating through the windows of the bus.

Then we moved up into the clouds which lay softly over the meadows, we walked amongst carpets of convallaria, polygonatum, hostas, violas and irises, osmunda ferns - unbelievable. The hemerocallis were still in tight bud but the other treasures more than compensated for their tardiness. We were aware of the mountains around up shrouded with mist and thought that we would only be able to imagine their majesty. Then the sun broke through the clouds and the cloud lifted to reveal the most spectacular landscape. It was quite breathtaking and i really can't believe that we have had the opportunity to experience this wonderful part of the world and view its natural treasures at such close quarters.

What a day! We managed the bus, without getting too lost! We met some lovely people - yes we speak different languages but it doesn't seem to matter. We saw so many different species - I just wish I'd kept a note of them all - but then again I doubt I'll forget them.

Opera in the Rain

I said that all aspects of British life were represented here at Barakura - Our love of Opera and Musical theatre are no exception. Esther Reilley, the incredible Scottish Singer is one of our party. Today, the first day of lectures and events she has delivered four fabulous recitals including Schubert's Ave Maria, Memory from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats and O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini. Esther is a vivacious and passionate character who loves to laugh and sing. Just to liven things up she flooded Jim's bathroom (in the room beneath hers)by leaving her wasbasin running - We know she meant to do it really! She claims to know little about gardening but has been showing a keen interest in some of the flowers here - We'll make a horticulturist of her yet!


I know the video won't do her voice justice but perhaps it gives an idea of the action here today at Barakura.


I gave my first lecture here this morning with the help of my Fantastic Interpreter Kathy - She coped admirably despite he fact that she claims I talk a lot - I can't imagine what she means!

Then we went along to Jim's lecture and demonstration - Great fun and very lively - Nori, his interpreter kept him in order - Quite an achievement I think!

The Highlands in Japan

Well, what do you do for music in Japan. Bagpipes of course - what else? Here at Barakura opening day we have been treated to some spectacular pipe music delivered by Oliver our handsome young piper. Oliver is a Geology student at Glasgow Uni. and tells me that The Pipes are almost as important in his life as the ladies. Seeing the effect his playing has on the Japanese lady visitors I think The Pipes and the ladies have a close affinity!

Here's a few bars for you to enjoy.....

The rest of us have little chance in grabbing the attention of the young ladies when Oliver is around so Jim and Andy console each other with an ice cream - Rose Petal flavour. Actually we don't really envy Oliver that kilt and all the rest of the kit must be pretty warm with Opening Day temperatures in the 30s. At the end of the at we all cool off in the pool followed by a session in the the Onsen, Japanese Spa Bath. This is such a civilised activity in the evening before dinner. Men go one way and the ladies another. We shower an wash thoroughly before sitting around outside in a hot spa pool putting the world to rights before donning the traditional cotton Yukata for dinner in the Japanese restaurant. The Japanese beer is excellent and I'm getting a taste for Sake - A little more practice and I'll grow to love it.

Turning Japanese - I really think so

Well, you never know where Chelsea can take you and my Adventure in Gardening continues at the Barakura English Garden in the mountains north of Tokyo, Japan. I'm here to lecture and celebrate 20 years of English Gardening here at Barakura - founded by The Yamada family. This is a reamarkable experience and I look forward to sharing it with you over the next few days . Here's a short video introduction:




As you can see I've run into an old friend here - Jim Keeling from Whichford Pottery. Jim has been selling his wonderful pots here for the past few years. He's quite a hero here at Barakura and really enjoys Japanese life - think I might get used to it too.

The big competition at the show is the Container planting competition. It is taken very seriously and I must say there are some magnificent and exhuberant plantings. Tracey Jim and I had the mammouth task of picking our favourite. It took quite some time - we finally agreed on a magnificent hand decorated Whichford Elephant planter in the Master class - I certainly couldn't have done anything like it - Although I did have a go at a couple. I got disqualified in the competition but Jim did claim it was one of his the following day at his Demonstration. The boy has no shame.

All aspects of England are represented here at Barakura - Fish and Chips are being prepared by our guest chefs from Rugby - Andy and Dave from the Brownsover Fish Bar, Rugby. These boys really know how to fry and this is their 8th year at Barakura and believe me those Fish and Chips are lapped up by the Japanese visitors to the garden.

Life after Chelsea

Chelsea already seems a long time ago. Since the show I've been catching up in the garden and despite the severe winter I must say its really looking quite good now. The dry spell and cool temperatures have meant slow growth of many things, and some plants such as the peonies and roses are well behind this time last year - but that may mean a longer season of interest rather than having everything out at the same time.

Since the show I've had so many lovely messages from gardeners congratulating us on our 65th Gold Medal. I'm always amazed at the interest in the show from gardeners everywhere. It really seems to make all the effort worthwhile.

The Chelsea Live magazine has been well recieved, and funnily enough it is an ongoing reminder of a very happy Chelsea 2010. Every time I see a copy the cover - a picture of Moroccan Magic - reminds me just how good this year's exhibit was. I don't mean that in an arrogant way - I'm just so proud of the achievement of the team that created Adventures in Gardening.

There's always a bit of a sense of deflation and sadness after Chelsea - every high has its low. Sometimes there are aspects of the show or the exhibit that I will not be sorry not to relive - this year that is not the case. Every aspect of the exhibit and the show brings happy memories. We had so much fun with The Secret Garden Diary Room and I look forward to catching up with the Scotts Team to discuss future plans.

You never know where Chelsea will take you - I remember saying that in a blog a few weeks ago. Last year I met Kay Yamada and the team from the Barakura English Garden, in Japan.....Who knows what may happen in the next few weeks!

http://barakura.co.jp/english/