More Inspiring Connections

Every two years the North American Japanese Garden Association organizes an international conference. This year it was hosted by the Missouri Botanical Garden highlighting their Japanese garden Seiwa-en. There were presentations for private garden owners, volunteers, garden leadership and administrators and my favorite, a whole day of hands on workshops.

The workshops were a half day each so that participants could attend at least two different choices. People could choose between fence building, stone setting, pruning, stone craftsmanship and a tea garden charrette. I was the lead instructor for the pruning workshops along with 5 other APA certified aesthetic pruners. We had the privilege of working on a handful of Japanese black pines within Seiwa-en. If you ever visit the garden be sure to check out the pines and imagine about 30 different people contributing to their development!

The bonus of being an instructor is walking the garden beforehand (after hours!) with Horticulture Supervisor Ben Chu and Horticulturist Dan Schachner. Its a large garden yet there is so much love and attention given by volunteers and the horticulturists.

Last month I shared a few of the resources from the PNW ISA conference so this month I will share some resources from NAJGA’s conference.

North American Japanese Garden Conference at Missouri Botanic Garden 2025

A panel session with Hiroaki Etō, Avram Dalton, Bill Castellon and John Powell provided clear insight into the philosophy of Japanese gardeners. We learned about various phases such as Shu Ha. “Shu” is to follow - to learn faithfully, copying your teacher to master the basics. “Ha” means to break- once you understand the basics you begin to adapt and make it your own. They shared insights such as “Work is something bestowed. Work is not something simply given.” and “Humility raises the quality of work.” We could have soaked up to Etō san’s wisdom all afternoon. I took many notes but it is impossible to impart the meaning gained from listening in person. Asher Brown has a series of videos showing some of the work of Hiroaki Etō. My favorite is one about the Japanese Tea Garden.

If you have ever searched for a tree or plant on Google chances are a page from the Missouri Botanic Garden “Plant Finder” will be one of the top sources of information. Their database is extensive and always provides useful information. Along this theme of information about plants is another resource for those even more botanically inclined. The WFO or World Flora Online. If you want to get a plant classification correct (because sometimes they change!) or simply looking for information chances are good you can find it here.

One of the main resources from any NAJGA conference is the people. I cannot emphasize enough the attendees willingness to share knowledge and expertise. Its not something that can be found in books or online. The chance encounters, group discussions and exposure to how people garden around the world is simply amazing.

I am full of inspiration and looking forward to the next event… after some much needed introvert recharging!

Going ons

APA Tree Talk - Ancient Tree Journeys and Findings since 2010: Strategies, Ecology, History & the British Landscape with Jocelyn Cohen

Sunday December 14, 2025 3:00pm- 5:00pm PST

Jocelyn has been traveling to England since 2010 to study their ancient trees. In this talk she will share her observations, curiosity, new knowledge and science. Check out the APA website event link for more information.

In The Classroom - Registration is open!

Aesthetic Pruning Philosophy and Fundamentals

On January 31st from 10:00am to 11:00 I will be teaching a 1 hour class at Garden Fever in Portland, Oregon. They have an indoor classroom where we can stay warm and dry while learning all about aesthetic pruning. What a great way to start the new year!

In Person Workshop

To be Rescheduled! Due to an atmospheric river my workshop for the Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita Oregon will be rescheduled in the spring of 2026. Date TBD but I will let you know when I know!

The workshop is all day and takes place in two location. More details to follow on the Hoffman Center for the Arts website. Check their calendar of updates. 

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