Pochoda Residential Garden

The Pochoda Residential Garden is located in Lyme, New Hampshire. I discovered this garden as a result of an article I read from the North American Garden Association by Phil Pochoda in which he discussed why and how he constructed his garden. Intrigued, I reached out to Phil and he kindly accepted my request for a visit.

Website: https://najga.org/pochoda/ (Phil's article vand YouTube video)

In 2013, the garden was constructed along a previously engineered pond on the property. 

I noticed the garden shares some similarities with the Shin-Boku Nursery & Stroll Garden in Wentworth, New Hampshire. It turns out that the owner of the nursery provided advice and assistance when the garden was being designed and constructed.

Over the years additional sections and features were added, including a karesansui Zen garden. 

The overall garden is essentially a stroll garden, but the pathway goes well beyond the edge of the pond, winding further up the slope of the hill behind the pond. Its terminus brings one to a bench with an elevated view of the entire garden and property.

Along the pathway, one encounters as many as ten different species of pine tree, including at least four large Scots Pine, all impressively pruned.

There are also a large number of reddish granite stones strategically placed throughout the garden, all having been excavated from on the property.

Strolling through the garden provides some interesting highlights as one makes their way to the grotto at the far end of the garden.

Finally, crossing a small bridge provides an alternative view of the grotto and a profile of the entire garden from the far side of the pond.

The garden was a real joy to visit, especially on a warn and sunny day. It was also a thrill to visit a garden designed for the extreme weather conditions associated with this region of New Hampshire. This opportunity expanded my garden visiting experience and I am grateful to Phil and Mary for the opportunity to visit such a wonderful garden.

Fuller Gardens

Located along the coast of southern New Hampshire, Fuller Gardens was part of the estate of Alvan T. Fuller, one of the first businessmen to create an automobile dealership in Boston, and former Governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Fuller commissioned the gardens in the late 1920s and following his death in 1958, the gardens were opened to the public.

Website: https://fullergardens.org/

It was difficult to locate any publicly accessible information specific to the Japanese garden. However, it appears to have been part of the original design first established in 1927 rather than a later renovated design during the 1930s.

One indication of its early development was the very large Cedar shrubs that enclosed the Japanese garden and separated it from the other gardens on site. 

The garden entrance (1 of 3) was located to the far left end of these Cedars (near the old carriage house).

After entering, one is immediately confronted with the  incredible site of the "interiors" of the large Cedars. The trunk and limb structure of these Cedars is fascinating and establishes this hedge boarder as an early feature of what has now become a mature garden.

 

These were some of the largest Cedars I have ever seen.

Although interesting to behold today, the size and age of these shrubs is now a bit of a distraction to the Japanese garden within. It would be interesting to see images of when they were first planted. Doing so would provide a better idea of the intent of these plantings in relation to the other elements of the Japanese garden. Unfortunately, the enormous hedge wall now blocks most light from entering the Japanese garden area. As a result, the garden is dark and some of the planting within seem to be struggling.

Once inside, there are features that align well with an "Orientalist" style garden from the late 19th - early 20th century. 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, The Fuller Garden Japanese garden is a small, but historically significant example of a Japanese garden from a period of time when Japanese gardens were first becoming popular in the United States. The grounds director and his staff should be commended for maintaining a garden that has evolved over time, is located in a challenging location with extreme weather conditions along the shore, and continues to reflect the historic significance of its original design.

Shin-Boku Nursery & Stroll Garden

While traveling through New Hampshire on the way back to New York from a garden visit in Maine, I came across a nursery that specializes in Japanese garden tree growing and trimming. The collection of plants, many of them substantial in their size, age, and beauty, populate the nursery.

In addition to the nursery, there is a large stroll garden onsite. Although designed with the intent of inspiring people to consider having their own garden built, the stroll garden in itself is a wonderful example of a traditional Japanese stroll garden similar in size and design quality to many of the larger botanic garden versions I have visited across the country. 

What I enjoyed the most about the garden was that I could actually walk through its stone lined path. Many public gardens I visit only allow you to view such gardens from behind a fence, as a mere landscape. This garden was personal - I was able to experience the many twists and turns and changing scenes as I walked through. I have only rarely experienced this is North American public gardens, although more frequently in Japan. Having access to such an authentic experience at Shin-Boku made visiting the nursery/garden all the more worthwhile.

If interested in acquiring a large trees and looking for a landscape designer experienced in building Japanese style gardens, then you will want to consider Shin-Boku Nursery. If you want to experience an exhilarating  walk through a stroll garden, then a visit is most definitely worthwhile.

Website: http://shin-bokunursery.com/

Photos: The images below follow the path of the garden from the start of the entrance to its end.