pppffttt! So they threw a couple rocks together. I could do that. (not even close) That is really gorgeous. I have to find the time to visit more places in TX.

It's even more extraordinary in person, they've really worked hard on the gardens ahead of the opening.

The "the excuse to go again" expressed above finally happened yesterday, six years and one month later! It's still as beautiful and inspiring now as it was then.

From a distance I thought the tree in the center was a bottle brush, but those are berries! I think it's a Possumhaw holly ...

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There's something to be said about shearing the Texas sage to a mounded form since it often gets pretty rangy. I was so inspired I went next door today and trimmed James' sprawly specimen. I feel somewhat responsible for it since I planted it ...

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I came away with a renewed appreciation for repeating forms and colors. That's a huge stand of Root beer plant on the right.

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Who would have ever thought of shearing a Barbados cherry in this way, but in the company of free form plants it looks great ...

Duranta 'saphire showers'. Why am I not growing this?

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Various trails lead to many levels from which to enjoy the friendly atmosphere ...

Bob and I traversed them all, but since there are no hand rails we were reaching for rocks to steady ourselves on some of the steps. This rough lime stone rock was worn smooth by many years of hands touching it for balance ...

The Japanese Tea Garden is admission free and welcoming. If anywhere near San Antonio keep it in mind for a visit to inspire your own gardening endeavors. It certainly did that for me!

HERE is some very interesting history about how WW II affected the original keepers of garden.

Interesting story about the family. I loved my visit there.

Yes, the entire park (Brackenridge) is great. I used to live nearby & bicycled there every day. I dug out some 2006 photos when the pond was drained & waterfall turned off for the renovation. A sign said the Gardens were closed, but they left the gate open during the day throughout much of the year. (btw Ragna, thanks for pointing out the root beer plant)

I also appreciate the Magnolia tree in the median strip to the left of the parking lot - it's one of the very few in that part of town on public property (where I can go up and take photos and aroma samples).

The trees on the east bank of the creek along Red Oak Drive are a nice sight too. Every time there's heavy rains, more of the roots are exposed, but the trees are hanging tough.

The family's story made me sad, but what noble people they are to harbor no ill will about it.

It's a gorgeous garden and it's on my to-do list should we visit your fair city.

WHAT?? you went there without ME? I think that the purple leaf vitex and the clover bush are for adoption now.

Omar

Omar, I was thinking about you when I was there ... doesn't that count for something? ... :-D

Nope.

Omar

Omar ....

:-)

WOW, Omar.....................I believe she whacked you...................LOL>

Carrie, some people have strange ways to express guilt...

Okay Omar -- guilty as charged! Now can I please have that purple leafed vitex and clover bush? LOL

Mara, thanks for providing the link to the Tanaguchi Japanese Garden. It's beautiful in its more natural look. I especially liked the way Mr. Tanaguchi expressed his dedication of the garden to the people of Austin. Talk about a labor of love!

Many years ago I visited a large public garden in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that featured the traditional neatly clipped Japanese garden and then next to it was another similar garden with many of the same plants that were left in their natural state. It was hard to decide which was more beautiful. I've concluded that for a private garden in the city, like many of us have, maybe a little of both is good.

The tranquility of the tea gardens is what's impressive and of course the plants. Sad that some idiot feel they need to bring commerce to the gardens by adding a restaurant. That's just more greed for income. So sad... Next will be a concrete jungle of a parking lot for the restaurant. Nice! So the gardens can suck up the smog from the cars at the restraunt. The tea gardens should not have an eatery, in my opinion. Commerce will take away the tranquility. Next they will add a gift shop!

In China, the gardens always had a tea house next to them. I think it is fine that , if a family is building a garden for cheap , they are also allowed to have a way of making a living if they are not being PAID to build the garden. If it is done tastefully, it is OK by me.

Someone, they boast of locally sourced sushi (which is trendy and cuts down on expenses! just kidding.) Honestly, I don't know how those little places break even, except for the catered events. For awhile, it was tea and beverages only. I can picture a slow somber Zen tea ceremony with stringed Koto playing a plaintive progression of single notes, and the tea master's slow deliberate movements, taking 20 seconds to gently lift the hot water pot from the hotplate & turn to carry it to the table, and the stereotypical "ugly American" power lunch crowd impatiently tapping their fingers "Just give me the d*mn tea already!"

On a serious note, in a way it's a (small) relief Mr Jingu died in 1938 and didn't have to see his family get the boot.

Dan, I forgot to thank you for posting the pictures of the garden when it was being renovated. So -- thank you!

Yes, sometimes beautiful public areas become commercialized, but the tea house in this case is quite in keeping with the garden.

Dan, your bringing to mind the idea of the traditional tea ceremony is appreciated. The story HERE surrounding it and the family that created and cared for the garden is heartening to read.

Many of the people visiting there the day we went were Asian. They were all smiling and happy, and seemed to go out of their way to be friendly toward us. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps they were descendants of the Jingu family! Or -- maybe it was because Bob and I have white hair ... :-)

Ragna, I see a Monarch was there too in one of your photos. I 'braved the crowds' & made a quick visit after seeing your post. There's more topiary work than I noticed before. The whole place is developing nicely, compliments to the city park dept. It's impressive what they've coaxed out of...basicly a limestone pit and cliff (?).

I remember watching the granddaughter interviewed on local TV right before the re-dedication. It was a good reminder of how so many survivors of that era eventually recovered and rebounded. Helps restore my faith in humanity!

One more picture - Main (south) entrance, late October a few years ago

I will add the Jingu family had a tea and snack room in the structure where the restaurant is now located. This is in part how they made a living.

I have always been confused about San Antonio Sunken Gardens being originally, and now again being called Japanese Garden. From all I know the style is strongly Chinese and in no way Japanese. The Jingu family was supposedly from Japan, but the style is Chinese.

The Japanese Garden In Golden Gate Park, San Francisco is one of my favorites. The Japanese family that created that garden was also evicted in WWII. They had a large house/structure in the garden and owned some of the more valuable plants. They rented the house for events. When evicted they took apart the house ( built without nails Japanese style) and moved it to a lot they owned and sold the plants. Some justice was served. A wealthy patron bought the plants and moved them to her estate, but gifted them back to the gardens in her will.

Growing up in San Antonio I remember the tea gardens always being called the Sunken Gardens. I mainly remember the ponds, fish and water lilies from those days.

There were a wider variety of plants six years ago; more cannas, gingers, crinums and some plants I hadn't seen before. Now there's more clipped and mounded shrubs and a cleaner more manicured look.

Eric, I hadn't considered the style differences in Japanese and Chinese gardens before. Thank you. This site offers a little insight and history on the two styles.

Also had to take a look at Japanese Gardens in San Francisco. Beautiful! Thank you for the interesting story about some of the events surrounding it.

Looking at all these photos makes me want to go outside, climb a ladder and prune trees to show off their limbs, but I've got to think about our family Thanksgiving dinner coming up.