LA
We toured Dr. Ervanian's Japanese water garden (with 40 other people from the
Botanical Center) starting at 6:30. The pictures get darker as the sun
goes down. Obviously, we were first attracted to his water garden.
We'll look at other elements in greater detail.
LA
In case you didn't notice it in the initial pic, this bamboo fountain
fronts the pond containing goldfish and water lilies. His Doberman
considers this fountain his private water dish.
LA
Variegated Japanese iris growing out of the moss front his bamboo fountain.
LA
Three potted water lilies fill his pond. They hide the wary
goldfish. One lily grows next to a small fountain. Water
lilies dislike moving water and wet leaves. Lilies also need six
hours of direct sun to bloom.
LA
Flagstones with this overhang keep raccoons from exploring the pond. The
back of the pond fronts the head of the dry stream bed that flows thru his
entire Japanese garden. A typical Japanese bridge allows you to cross the
dry stream bed without getting your feet dry.
LA
His dry stream bed originates from here. Thyme covers the left
bank Evergreens cover the right bank. The uniform stones
complete the stream bed allusion.
LA
Three stones mark the first turn in his dry stream bed. Elements
protruding from a uniform bed typify the Japanese "look."
LA
The stream wends behind this tree. A night light (not on yet) highlights
the tree.
LA
Same elements. This view shows how the stream wends under the garden
walkway again on its way to the garden's end. Once again we see
elements protruding from uniform backgrounds. This motif highlights
the larger elements and the backgrounds. Contrasting shades
of greens add to the attractiveness of the garden.
LA
At the end of the stream it passes under this Japanese bridge and falls
precipitously to the wilderness below. Note the large stones emerging at
the right.
LA
Another view of the peninsula crated by the meandering stream. The emerging
rocks instantly catch your eye from this angle. Selecting the right
rocks is no accident.
LA
His Japanese sliding doors look out on this flagstone path thru a garden of
moneywort.
LA
One corner of the moneywort garden features a stand of weeping
bamboo. Note the bamboo theme carried thru on his roof
supports. The opposite corner contains a spreading Japanese red
maple (Dr. Ervanian's main love).
LA
Another Japanese element emerging from the evergreen base.
LA
Bamboo railings surround part of the perimeter of his Japanese
garden. At this point we're needing more light to see and the
mosquitoes are having no trouble finding us. We bid Dr. Ervanian,
Sayonara. Nice looking garden. Arigato for the tour. LA.
© 2003,
© 2005 LA Productions

3600
Sixth Avenue
Corner
of Sixth & Euclid Avenues
Des
Moines, IA 50313
515
283-0300
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