Hayward Japanese Garden

I recently visited the Japanese Gardens of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The garden was designed by Kimio Kimura, of Kimurascaping, using the principles of traditional Japanese garden design. For an informative description of the garden and its interesting history see the Wiki page. The garden is peaceful and beautiful, a wonderful place for meditation or contemplation.

Path through the garden.

My focus was on pruning, so I was especially interested in the trees and shrubs, and the feel of the garden. I could see many of the principles I’ve been learning in the Aesthetic Pruning series taught at Merritt College, including unveiling the best of a tree or shrub, showing particular traits in bark, leaves or needles, stems, and so forth.

Beautiful trunks revealed.

Gracefully flowing needles.

The garden follows traditional garden design, but uses the plants, rocks, and materials of the local environment. This is a great model for developing a garden in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can emulate or follow a favorite gardening design, but incorporate native plants and materials that will thrive in the local environment.

Holly bush incorporated into the garden design.

This is a garden to visit again and again, for personal reflection and respite from the cares of the day, and to view the seasonal changes unfold.