a long time coming

January 19, 2025  •  5 Comments

In 1998, I wrote an article for Rocky Mountain Gardener magazine titled "Garden Jewel of the Rio Grande - Rio Grande Botanic Garden".  The Botanic Garden and Aquarium opened in 1996.  When I saw it two years later, the most prominent element of the Garden was the Conservatory designed by architect Edward Mazria and his associates.  The 9,000 square foot structure with its myriad Mediterranean and Chihuahuan desert plants is the perfect place to soak up warmth and humidity on a chilly winter day.  Now, after 36 years, I finally made a visit to what is now the Albuquerque Bio Park.  For me, it was a long time coming, but absolutely well worth the wait.  

During my first visit to the garden, it was impressive. At the time, the Conservatory held 3,200 species of plants and 11,000 specimens.  But the powers that be had bigger plans for the 32 acres that comprise the Botanic garden.  One of those plans was for a Japanese garden, especially since Sasebo, Japan, is one of Albuquerque's sister cities.  That plan came to fruition.  There is a stunning Japanese garden in New Mexico included in the Bio Park.  And it is impressive, even in deep winter.  The three elements of Japanese garden design - stone, water, and plants - are combined with asymmetry, enclosure, borrowed scenery, balance, and symbolism.  It is easy to see how necessary each one is to hold interest, regardless of season.  Portland, Oregon landscape architect Toru Tanaka, designed the Sasebo Japanese Garden in Albuquerque which opened in September 2007.  The elegant garden incorporates all the elements and traditional vegetation, in coordination with and complementing the existing cottonwood trees that grow near the Rio Grande.  Because the garden is in a moderately level area, geography and slight elevation changes (courtesy of human-made hills), and ponds that weave in and out walking paths gives the feeling of being in a very different place.   A wall with several levels capped with tiles, holds the main gate, and gives the sense of an enclosed space.


 

On the right after entering, a bell tower awaits, with a sense of serenity.  Not one detail has been left to chance, with traditional wood joinery and metal base brackets holding the uprights.        

 



 

 

 

Paths take you in and around the entirety of the garden, over bridges and around ponds and waterfalls.




 

As is traditional in Japanese gardens, bamboo is a connecting thread throughout the garden.  It is used in a variety of ways, from walls, gates, and even as  overflows to keep the pond level, as seen below.  The native cottonwood trees were kept in place.  

 

The bamboo, despite the cold temperatures that kept ice on each pond, was surprisingly green.  
  

 

It is seen throughout the gardens and is frequently used for structural elements and screens.  Here is a weeping blue cedar hanging over a bamboo fence.  

After viewing the Sasbeo Japanese Garden in January, I anxiously await a spring visit!

 

Thanks to Jean and Sam, Terry T., Catherine, Barbara F. R., TTT, Steve, and Gustavo for writing last week!  I hope those of you in the path of the predicted blast of cold keep warm this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 


 

    


Comments

victoria(non-registered)
Daryl, I’ve not been to the ABQ botanical garden so thank you for putting it on my radar. Were there any Koi fish in the ponds or they were on the bottom for winter? Thank you again for your dedication to your blog!
Steve Immel(non-registered)
Thanks for the comprehensive introduction to the Albuquerque Botanic Garden and its decidedly Japanese bent. Neither Peggy nor I knew about it and will definitely visit the serene and inviting place. It seems to be worthy of our attention.
Paule Marx(non-registered)
How lovely!
Connie Taylor(non-registered)
Serenity! On a day it is needed and appreciated. The Bio-Park is indeed breathtaking and a place I have never visited. Thanks for the tour.
Claudia(non-registered)
Beautiful pictures, Daryl! I love Japanese gardens, they are so peaceful. I wish I had visited these when I lived in NM, but I was not aware of their existence.
Fort Worth Botanical Gardens has a Japanese garden that was completed in 1973 and when I worked in Fort Worth in the early 80s, I would go there nearly every workday. Of course, it was free back then.
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