Brooklyn Botanical Garden: 1st Week

Main Building

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

During my first week at Brooklyn Botanical Garden I was introduced to some of the most amazing gardeners and horticulturists I have ever met. It was during this first week that I was privileged enough to work in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden designed by Takeo Shiota. In addition to working in the Japanese Garden I also worked in the Tropical House and greenhouses.

While working in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden I was trained in a few of the various techniques used in Japanese garden maintenance. One of the most common maintenance practices is extreme pruning. When pruning a tree or shrub in the Japanese style it is important to make sure that it remains in the human scale and also remains natural and aged. In order to achieve the desired look each plants size is continually monitored and maintained using techniques such as candle pinching for pines. Another process involves cutting back new growth each year to promote a consistent shape. Furthermore, I realized that Japanese gardening involves art just as much as horticulture. The gardener must have an artistic eye for what works and what does not and shape the plants and garden as he or she sees fit. While an extreme amount of care goes into each garden I also learned that just as much if not more care goes into the plants in the greenhouses.

While working in the greenhouses I was able to see and experience how much care goes into producing and maintaining a plant before it actually gets put into the ground. During my short stay in the greenhouses I was able to set up a drip irrigation system for the large plants so that they received an adequate amount of water. I was also able to experience the continuous re-potting that goes into keeping a plant over a long period of time, in order for it to reach its desired size. The greenhouse crew at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is involved in every aspect of plant growth from start to finish which is very beneficial for the gardeners and garden as a whole.