Dawes Arboretum

I thought the Dawes Arboretum Japanese Garden in Newark, OH, was going to be a small garden, but once I entered the garden, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Part of a much larger meticulously maintained arboretum that was created in 1929, the Japanese garden was designed by landscape architect Makoto Nakamura and built in 1963. The garden consists of 17 acres total, with four distinct Japanese garden styles: hills and pond, karesansui (a dry landscape), a resting house, and a hide and reveal. 

Website: https://dawesarb.org/arboretum-map/

 

In 2015, the garden reopened after a two-year restoration that emphasized the original design. A new  concrete walkway looks natural and accommodates the Americans With Disabilities Act. Additionally, the large resting house was restored and is constructed using traditional techniques. Large boulders along the edge of the pond were reset, and the steppingstone bridge across the pond restored to make them safer to cross. 

 

 

 

 

Overall, the garden is spectacular and its authenticity well established. I was the only person present for the entire morning, and it was one of the most pleasant garden experiences I have ever had. The Dawes Arboretum Japanese Garden is now one of my favorite gardens in North America.

Schnormeier Gardens

The Schnormeier Gardens in Gambier, OH, are a collection of private gardens, over 50 acres in total, that are only open to the public during June. I was given the opportunity to visit the gardens by Mr. Schnormeier, the owner and creator, who generously allowed me to visit the estate prior to June. 

Website: https://schnormeiergardens.org/japanese-garden/

 

  

 

 

The Japanese Garden was created in 1994 and was designed by Ann Schnormeier and Tom Wade. It exhibits traits associated with Sukiya style gardens.

 

 

 

The Serenity Garden was located on a hill near the back of the property. The site has a large tea house located at the top of the hill on a plateau and over looks a series of ponds and waterfalls, all surrounded by a variety of conifers. It was without a doubt, one of the most serene gardens I have ever had the opportunity to experience. I didn’t want to leave, even though there was more gardens to explore on the estate. Having visited 79 other gardens prior to this visit, I had never enjoyed a garden area as much as this - simply paradise!

 

 

 

 

 

In addition there was also a Woodland Garden with a pleasant stroll and a meadow garden with a series of ponds. 

 

  

There was also a Chinese Cup Garden that featured two intimate cup shaped areas carved out of the hillside with cliffs formed out of numerous large boulders. In 1988, a pavilion was constructed in the center of the two “cups.” Within the five sided pavilion, moon shaped windows provided exquisite view of the surrounding gardens and stones. It was a very relaxing location that provided stunning views, but also left one hidden from outside distractions, a great place to relax.

The gardens were some of the best designed and manicured I have seen at any of the gardens I have visited in North America. 

 

Dave and Mr. Schnormeier

The Schnormeier Gardens were a highlight of my garden visits this spring and I was thankful for the opportunity to spend time within the gardens. Be sure to plan ahead for a visit, access is limited to June of each year.