Special events: Japanese landscape & culture

Katsuhito Nakasone hosting a Traditional Japanese Tea Gathering in 2009

Photo by Jon Gardiner/Duke Photography

Visitors to Duke Gardens can learn a lot about Japanese culture and horticulture by strolling through the W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arboretum or attending a Japanese Tea Gathering.

Beginning later this month month, you can learn even more, in a variety of workshops featuring Katsuhito Nakasone, a visiting landscape architect from Toyama, Japan, Durham’s sister city.
In “The Japanese Tradition of Tea,” a lecture on Nov. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m., Nakasone will draw from his own experience designing and building his family’s teahouse and the surrounding garden. He and Nancy Hamilton, coordinator of Japanese cultural events at Duke Gardens, will draw parallels to the Duke Gardens teahouse and tea garden in the Japanese Pavilion and discuss the transformative
nature of the tea experience.

The following morning at 10:45 a.m., Nakasone will host a traditional Japanese Tea Gathering. Guests to this intimate event will experience the rich tradition and warm atmosphere of the tearoom as Nakasone presents tea and shares his unique perspective. He will also bring his favorite blend of tea, as well as sweets from Toyama for all to enjoy a taste of tea from afar.

A sodegaki workshop will follow on Friday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Japanese style of garden design has many strategies that help a visitor focus on detail, shift their perspective and begin to feel connected to nature. A beautiful bamboo screen is one such strategy. Called sodegaki, or sleeve screen, the screens are often intricate and patterned with a variety of joining, fitting and tying techniques.

Examples of sodegaki. Photos by Paul Jones.

Nakasone will work with Masashi (Mike) Oshita, of Japanese Garden Service in Asheville, will create a sodegaki during the workshop, so attendees can learn the techniques to build their own.  The workshop will conclude on site in the Japanese Garden with the placement of the new screen.

Designing new moss and maple grove garden is the focus of the final workshop, on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will observe a team of designers as they discuss, evaluate and finalize selections of specific trees, moss selection and placement, and tree-pruning strategies for a new garden. The team will comprise Nakasone, Oshita, Asiatic Arboretum curator Paul Jones, Portland Japanese Garden curator Sadafumi Uchiyama and stone mason Brooks Burleson.

The design choices for boulder placement and pathway development will be defined before the workshop but discussed with participants. Over the course of the five hours, participants will see the new garden design emerge in the arboretum, hear about garden preparation techniques and sourcing information, and be encouraged to discuss alternative solutions. Burleson will also demonstrate his technique for building the stone path. 

The workshop will conclude with a complete layout and finalizing of plans for installation. The workshop location will be indoors and out, adjusting with weather conditions.

MORE INFORMATION:

Preregistration is required for all of these workshops and the tea. If you would like to register or have questions, please call our registrar at 919-668-1707 or email slsmith@duke.edu. For more information about Gardens workshops, please go to gardens.duke.edu. We look forward Nakasone’s visit, and to seeing how the expertise and artistry he so generously shares will enhance the Asiatic Arboretum for all.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St.

Craft Sale: A few goodies remain

Thanks to all the people who helped make the Garden Guild Craft Sale a success on Saturday, and to the Garden Guild itself. The Guild volunteers work all year on crafts to sell in the Terrace Shop and at the annual sale, to help raise money for Duke Gardens.

Did you know that Duke Gardens receives roughly half of its operating budget from Duke University? The rest comes from individual donors who value what this public garden brings to the community, and from special fundraising events like the craft sale and our semi-annual plant sale.

If you missed the craft sale but would still like to buy a Garden Guild craft, just stop by the Terrace Shop and you'll find a variety of items.

Here is a sampling (please see sale preview post for more):

hand-knit scarves

brooches/pins

holiday trees made from upcycled sweaters

gourd pencil holders & "toad abodes"

note cards

quilted items

baby toys

Duke blue decorations and jewelry

Garden Guild Craft Sale Nov. 10

Duke Gardens' volunteer Garden Guild meets weekly for much of the year to share and learn craft techniques and make crafts for the annual holiday craft sale.

The 2012 sale is this Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Please note the new time.) Admission is free, parking is free until 1 p.m., and all proceeds go toward the upkeep of these beautiful public gardens. If they sell out early, as is often the case with this popular sale, they will close early. We have many people lining up as much as an hour early, eager to get first dibs on all the goodies. If you're planning to come on the later end, you can call the Terrace Shop at 684-9037 to check whether the sale is still going on.

The sale features holiday ornaments and decorations, soaps, jewelry, knitted goods, note cards, pet toys, gourd crafts and lots more.

Here's a small preview of what you'll see. Hope to see you here!

Gourd ornament

Bird houses

Traditional ornaments

Felted handbags & decorative pine cones

Pet chase-me toys (no matter which team your pet roots for)

Finger puppets and other toys for babies

"Cheer gloves"

Funky scarves

Wine bottle gift bags & decorative pillows

Bug totes

Cute hats for toddlers

Dragonfly pins & other jewelry

More gourd ornaments

Doris Duke: A Lasting Legacy

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Doris Duke’s Birth

Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Update: We regret to announce that this symposium has been canceled. We hope you will watch our events announcements for future symposia and workshops at Duke Gardens.

Doris Duke had many passions, leaving a legacy that continues to impact cultural and social lives today. Learn more about the world in which Doris lived, her conservation ethic, the extended Duke family’s impact, and current efforts at Duke Gardens and Duke Farms. Join us in celebration of the legacy of Doris Duke, presented  in partnership with Duke University's David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.


9:30 a.m. 
LANDSCAPES AND PATRONAGE: How we assign value
Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR, founder and president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF)
American history is replete with visionary, inspired and willful patrons who supported and shaped beloved and nationally significant estates, parks, plazas and other civic amenities across the country. Charles will focus his talk on these visionary patrons and/or organizations and the sites they helped create, perhaps inspiring  a new generation of patrons and philanthropists.

Break: refreshments served

10:45 a.m.
WASHINGTON DUKE: A Tradition of Education
Valerie Gillispie, Duke University archivist, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
The Duke family has a long history of philanthropy, starting with Washington Duke’s support of Trinity College, a small Methodist school in North Carolina. Thanks to Washington’s sons, James B. and Benjamin N. Duke, Trinity became Duke University. Learn about the roots of the Duke family, and how their charitable giving made a broad impact both inside and outside North Carolina.

11:30 a.m.
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DORIS DUKE 
Mary Samouelian, Doris Duke Collection archivist, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Even 100 years after her birth, the name Doris Duke still resonates with the public. But who was she really? Having worked exclusively with Doris Duke’s personal papers for the past two years, Mary will provide insight into the “real” Doris Duke and how family and friends shaped her desire to leave a lasting philanthropic legacy.

Lunch served at 12:30 p.m.
Tours of the Gardens offered 1 p.m.

2 p.m.
SARAH P. DUKE GARDENS: The Women of Duke Gardens
Chuck Hemric, Duke Gardens' director of volunteer services, and volunteer docent Ann Stock
Sarah P. Duke Gardens stands as a testament to the influence of women. Chuck and Ann will outline the vision and stewardship of generations of women, beginning with Sarah P. Duke and including Ellen Biddle Shipman, Mary Duke Biddle, and Biddle’s daughter Mary Trent Semans.

Break: refreshments served

3 p.m.
DUKE FARMS: Current progress and conservation efforts
Timothy Taylor, executive director, Duke Farms, New Jersey
Duke Farms was created by James B. Duke (father of Doris) and then expanded by Doris. Its future was outlined in Doris’ will to focus on protection of flora and fauna, agriculture and horticulture, and research. How has her board of directors translated her desires into action? This past May, Duke Farms re-opened after a $50 million adaptive building renovation and the regeneration of 1,000 of its 2,740 acres. Tim will discuss the ecological stewardship and educational programming “at the Farm,” meant to inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land.

DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: The Doris Duke Center, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St., Duke University, Durham
Fee: $95; $75 Gardens members. Includes all handouts, break refreshments, lunch and tour.
Pre-registration required (parking pass included).
To register, please call 919-668-1707 or email slsmith@duke.edu

Photo credits: Full color photo courtesy of Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Photo below from the Duke University Archives.

Why is fall best for planting?

Jason Holmes, center, 

advises customers about plant selection

at last year's Fall Plant Sale

By Jason Holmes

Ahh, the season of fall is almost upon us, and we gardeners are coming out of summer semi-hibernation, during which we emerged only to water the plants we planted in early spring, hoping they made it through those hot, dry summer months.

Many of us know that fall is the best time to plant shrubs and trees. We hear it all the time. But let’s face it, we see plants we love, with those nice big flowers or that beautiful combination we just have to have, and that sage advice sometimes gets forgotten. For me, buying plants in spring is often an impulse, and I spend much of my time watering those plants on 90- to 100-degree afternoons.

People often ask, “Why is fall the best time to plant?” The answer is simple: As the plants go dormant above ground, roots will continue to grow underground until the ground temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  So for most of the country, this statement is true from mid-September through mid-December.

Here is an example: if you plant a tree in the spring, it must acclimate to the new site, producing new growth like leaves, flowers and sometimes fruits. It must also produce roots as well! This means you will need to water more often while your tree acclimates to its new situation before the summer heat and often dry weather arrives. Now, plant the same tree during the fall, and soon after the plant will begin to go dormant above ground, but the roots will still have several months to continue growing underground. This is giving the plant a “head start” for the next spring as it produces strong new growth.

Annuals and perennials are great to plant during the spring and fall. As long as they are watered until they are established, they fare very well. I love to plant perennials in the spring, as they are waking up from winter dormancy, because they grow to fill in a space quickly. Perennials are often faster to grow into a space as opposed to trees and shrubs, and this gives us a chance to plant these in both seasons. So it is simple: anyone can plant anytime they want. I just hope I’ve explained well enough why fall is so ideal.

To help prepare you for your fall planting blitz, Sarah P. Duke Gardens will have its Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. We will have a great variety of bulbs that bloom in late winter to early summer, fantastic perennials, useful herbs for cooking, and many unusual shrubs and trees, too. Many of these plants are propagated from Duke Gardens by dedicated staff and volunteers, who will be there to answer any questions you may have about gardening or plants in general.

If you want first dibs on all the plants, consider joining Friends of Duke Gardens, so you can attend the member pre-sale at 8 a.m. Non-members can join on site. Or call 919-668-1711 to join in advance. We hope to see you there.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St.

Columnist Jason Holmes is curator of the Doris Duke Center Gardens at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This column first appeared in the Durham Herald-Sun.

Duke Students+Alumni: Win An iPad!

Do you spend a lot of time in Duke Gardens? Is it your favorite place to study, stroll, volunteer, meditate, learn about plants, take photos or hang out with friends?

We'd love to hear about your interactions with Duke Gardens, either as a current or past Duke student. Specifically, how has Duke Gardens enriched your student experience?

We're having a contest to make it fun, and giving away an iPad to make it exciting. It's easy, and it's only for Duke students and alumni. Just share your thoughts about what has made Duke Gardens special or important to you as a student.

We're not looking for perfectly crafted essays, just heartfelt sentiments, compiled in whatever form feels right for you. So please don't hesitate. We love hearing about people's emotional connections with the Gardens.

What have you got to lose? And if you need some inspiration, or a quiet place to write, head to the Gardens. It's here for you.

PRIZES: The first prize winner will receive an iPad. But we'll also draw some names randomly to receive Duke Gardens greeting cards and other fun prizes.

DEADLINE: Please email your responses to dukegardensessay@yahoo.com by Oct. 1. deadline extended to Oct. 31. Please include your full name and graduation year.

WINNERS: Congratulations to iPad winner  Lindsay Higgins, and to runners-up Ryan Bird and Tiffany Chen. We were so touched by the many wonderful accounts that people shared of how Duke Gardens enhanced their student experiences. Thanks again to all who responded.

Photo: Terrace Gardens in fall. By Robert Ayers. 

Disclaimer: We will be sharing this contest on Facebook, but this is a Duke Gardens contest and not affiliated with Facebook in any way.

Temporary Detour in Asiatic Arboretum

Visitors to the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum will be detoured from one of the main roadways for several weeks while the road is repaved.

The paving project begins today. Neither vehicles nor pedestrians may use the road, which leads from the Flowers Drive entrance near Duke Clinic to the Doris Duke Center, winding around the arboretum pond on the southeast side. The portion of road leading into the arboretum from the Doris Duke Center's lower parking lot will not be affected.

The road is being re-paved to maintain the existing surface and to introduce a different paving material that will be used in the future on larger-circulation paths throughout the Gardens.

During the project, visitors will be detoured through the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Circle and the Terrace Gardens. Directional signs will assist those unfamiliar with the detour route.

Please stay tuned to this blog post for updates on the expected completion date. Update: The expected completion date is Wednesday, July 25, weather permitting.

Below is the detour route, showing the arched entrance from the arboretum into the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden. To the right, after the banana trees (Musa basjoo), is the road to be re-paved. To the left is the path leading to the Doris Duke Center.  

Below is the roadway that will be re-paved.