Memphis is one of 36 U.S. cities chosen to receive centennial yoshino cherry seedlings.
Japanese cherry trees were introduced to America 100 years ago when they were planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington. Memphians enjoy an alley of blossoms every spring on Cherry Road in Audubon Park.
Plant lovers and gardeners have been “thinking globally” since long before it became a mantra of the 21st century.
At his wife Josephine’s request, Napoleon ordered his military leaders and envoys to bring back plants from faraway destinations for the gardens at Chateau de Malmaison outside Paris.
Early American plant explorers shipped our native trees, shrubs and perennials back to English horticulturists hungry for exotics from the New World to use in grand gardens.
Today, we think nothing of growing tulips native to Turkey, hellebores discovered in Europe and nandinas found first in China and Japan, to name just a few.
This weekend, the Memphis Botanic Garden will plant three seedling trees in celebration of the centennial of one of best-known horticultural exchanges: the planting of 3,000 yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington.
After much diplomatic, political and horticultural preparation, on March 27, 1912, first lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of 3,000 trees given to the people of America by Yukio Ozaki, the mayor of Tokyo.
The seedling trees were propagated from cuttings taken from a few of the surviving original Tidal Basin trees. Because yoshino cherries typically have a life span of about 50 years, the seedlings are treasured plants.
Thirty-six U.S. cities received centennial trees from the Japanese Embassy. Hiroshi Sato, the former consul general in Nashville, gave three of them to Memphis in recognition of the strong relationships formed between Japanese businesses and residents and the people of Memphis.
“This is a huge honor,” said Gina Harris, the director of education at the Botanic Garden who is coordinating the event.
Memphians appreciate the beauty of the pink-to-white cherry blossoms planted on streets and in yards all over the city. But for the Japanese, cherry trees have a special, even spiritual, meaning.
They see the life cycle of the tree as a metaphor for human life. Cherry trees, whose flowers bloom brilliantly for just a short time before falling to the ground, reflect the way every human being briefly flourishes.
Cherry blossoms will return the next year, just as the Japanese believe deceased family members will be reunited with families once a year during the festival of Bon.
At the end of the festival, spirits are lovingly released by their relatives in ceremonies featuring candlelit lanterns floating on rivers.
That Bon tradition will be re-created at dusk Friday on the lake in the Japanese Garden.
The tree planting and festival can help us notice Japanese influences in American gardens.
“Japanese gardeners want to re-create nature on a small scale,” said Nick Esthus, curator of the Japanese Garden at the Botanic Garden. “Their gardens are more asymmetrical and natural than European designs, even though they are highly maintained.”
Because Japan is mountainous, many of the trees growing on the slopes have a weathered, windswept appearance. That look is re-created through pruning and training of full-size trees like the black pines in the Japanese Garden and also in miniature bonsai trees.
“The simplicity of the design is meant to have a calming effect,” Esthus said.
The Japanese Garden reflects that goal in its design and name, “Seijaku-En,” which means “Garden of Tranquility.”
You don’t need a specially designed garden to enjoy the beauty of Japanese maple, bamboo, koi swimming in small ponds or an artful ikebana flower arrangement. Many of us find they fit in well with our American landscapes and architecture.
You can see and learn about examples of all of these “horticultural gifts from Japan” at a Japanese festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10, or $5 for MBG members.
Members of the Memphis Bonsai Society will show examples of the miniature trees of Japan and demonstrate how they are trained and maintained.
Jim Crowder, operations manager with Dan West Garden Centers, will disperse information on building and landscaping water features for keeping koi, the colorful ornamental carp that are considered symbols of love and friendship in Japan.
Members of Bamboo Chapter of Ikebana International will display floral arrangements done in the Japanese style. A demonstration will take place on the main stage at 1:40 p.m.
A stroll around the garden will allow visitors to see numerous Japanese plants, including bamboo, black pines and a collection of ginkgo trees.
Other attractions include dance and music performances, martial arts demonstrations, a kimono fashion show, opportunities to make origami, paint Japanese calligraphy and master chopsticks; a traditional tea ceremony as well as vendors selling sushi, Japanese garments, jewelry, anime props and other items.
See you at the red drum bridge.
Questions or comments? Email Christine Arpe Gang at chrisagang@hotmail.com, or call 901-529-2372.
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