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READER PHOTOS! Gary's Japanese garden in Nova Scotia

comments (9) December 22nd, 2011 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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Photo: Courtesy of Gary Billard

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Today's photos are from Gary Billard in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Gary says, "This is the Japanese Garden that I installed this Spring. I started Gardening about 10 years ago when I moved back home to Cape Breton Island to assist in the care of my aging parents (both now 83). I decided to install a Japanese-style garden on the property as I felt it would be very peaceful and fit the surrounding existing white pines. There are two ponds with a stream between.The ponds contain goldfish, shubunkin, and koi. The fish hatched in the upper pond and migrated through the stream to the new pond under the Japanese bridge. I currently have 15 Japanese Maples and over 100 Hostas. I am also able to grow a Gunnera manicata (zone 8) here in zone 6. I designed the Japanese gate and bridge from years of going through books, magazines, and internet searches. I built both with the assistance of my Dad. I designed the ponds and installed them with the assistance of my dear gardening friends, Sharon , Pat and Michelle. Both ponds contain red and white water lilies surrounded by Japanese irises of various colors." So great, Gary! Thanks so much for sharing.

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READER PHOTOS! Sara's garden in California

Comments (9)

GardenerGuy writes: @ gottagarden- Can you get the plants down there? Posted: 10:22 am on December 26th

gottagarden writes: thanks gardener guy - I really want to try this! Posted: 6:30 am on December 26th

GardenerGuy writes: Thank you all for the kind comments.
"gottagarden"- After the first frost, I cut back the leaves and invert them over the crown. I then add about 3ft of Straw (not hay) and cover with a tarp to keep all dry. This will work up to a zone 4. The person who sent me a piece to start with is in Northern British Columbia, zone 4. Her's grows 14ft tall and has leaves over 7ft across. Posted: 4:28 pm on December 22nd

tractor1 writes: Very nice Japanese garden acouterments. If one has the ability I'd like to see a more traditional Japanese style roof on that shed... I think it can be done easily and inexpensively with a small shed: http://www.secrets-of-shed-building.com/japanese_garden_shed.html

Posted: 3:51 pm on December 22nd

solana1234 writes: This is absolutely wonderful. Your parents are very lucky! Posted: 2:25 pm on December 22nd

pattyspencer writes: How pretty! Would love to have gardening friends like that. A lot of thought (and love) has gone into this design and it sure shows it. Posted: 10:44 am on December 22nd

wittyone writes: I love the red trim. It looks beautiful with the orange/yellow roof material. I've never seen shingles with that coloration before but it works great! Posted: 10:17 am on December 22nd

meander1 writes: Love the bold color choice for the bridge and tea house accent trim. If Gary is anything like me, he is already envisioning his efforts a few years into the future, when his maples and other plant material have settled into their new home. Gardening is often as much about the anticipation of tomorrow as well as appreciating the reality of today. Posted: 8:00 am on December 22nd

gottagarden writes: How nice to have koi and water lilies, what a great present for your parents.

Please tell if there is anything special you do to overwinter the gunnera. I have admired these forever but they're not hardy here, so would love to hear how you manage it. Posted: 5:43 am on December 22nd

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