Today, we began our time at UBC’s Nitobe Memorial Garden, a stunning Japanese garden designed as a space of harmony, balance, and reflection. We learned that the garden was a memorial of Dr. Inazo Nitobe, who saw himself as a bridge between East and West. That idea is beautifully embodied in the layout of the garden, where plants native to both the west and east are placed intentionally side by side. It made me think about cultural blending in landscape design how a garden can be more than just a collection of plants, but a philosophy and art practice.
One of my favorite aspects was how lawns were made of soft moss instead of grass. There was a deliberate care in every path and planting but at the same time, nature was still clearly present. It’s a deeply manicured space that doesn’t feel artificial it embraces the art of nature.
Back at the Orchard Garden, I’ve been collecting buttercups, which are currently spreading like weeds across the site. While they're invasive, I’m curious about transforming them into something creative possibly using them for natural dyes or pigments. (When i arrived at my studio i quickly attempted some methods but will need a mortar and to wait for them to dry to get a better sample --I’ll report back once I’ve experimented with their color potential.)
Later in the day, our focus shifted to planting a Garry Oak meadow beside the orchard. The Garry Oak ecosystem is endangered in B.C., so starting this project felt meaningful. We planted companion species that occur in a Garry Oak meadow.
We also learned a hands-on method of using comfrey leaves to improve soil health. After harvesting the leaves, we chopped them up and layered them on top of the soil as a natural fertilizer. Over time, the leaves will decompose and feed the soil.
Looking forward to seeing how both the Garry Oak meadow and my buttercup dye experiments develop in the weeks ahead!
