A chilly June First....

The temperature is right around 50 degrees -- with the wind keeping a chill in the air.  The garden was understandably quiet. When they stopped to listen, one of the guides pointed out to her tour group that a small maple tree next to the pond is called a "Koto no Ito"  - "Koto String Tree" -- which we hadn't noticed before.  A picture of the tree is below.  Regular visitors Bruce, with his friend Rebecca, and Tim, stopped by to listen. Such sturdy souls!  

The rhodedendrons are in full bloom. some reaching high into the sky.
Bamboo stalks at the entryway.
More irises in bloom along the pond.  
Tim, Bruce and Rebecca stopped by to enjoy the garden and listened to our music.
The "Koto to Ito" (Koto String Tree) near the pond.  The leaves are very narrow - like the strings of a koto.
The blossoms reflect the pond....the pond reflects the blossoms....which is which? Something to reflect upon....

The water lilies are beginning to bloom....

Mother's Day....

THE PAULOWNIA TREE outside the garden has  a few purple buds showing! (Click on the picture below to see them.)

It has been threatening to rain, with heavy clouds for three days. During the course of the afternoon we had clouds, sprinkles of rain, and a bit of sun now and then, with small gusts of wind.  We talked to our friend Eric (who also plays shakuhachi) and his girlfriend, and her parents who are visiting from Germany. There were quite a few families walking through, and with the help of all the kids, the carp and ducks had a lot to eat today. 


A new color this week: YELLOW! 

A single magnolia, ready to bloom, on a magnolia tree.

Some of the rhodidendrons are blooming; this one is full of buds.

MORE YELLOW!

The cherry trees in the upper part of the orchard are full of blossoms. The lower ones are still at the bud stage...


A crow strolls through the garden.
Beautiful blossoms reflected in the pond.