United States of America -- Maryland -- Montgomery County -- Glen Echo
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets and other information.
General:
The Shimizu Garden, on a quarter-acre lot, was started in 1986 when 4-inch black plastic drainage pipes were laid in heavy clay soil to solve problems of drainage and flooding. The soil was amended and graded into distinct areas of lawn and low mixed borders in front of the house, a meditation garden with a three-tiered fountain that leads to a side terraced garden, a moss garden in deep shade, and a pool and waterfall bordered by a rock garden and patio behind the house. Mixed plantings of ornamental trees, shrubs, ferns, perennials, and colorful annuals are punctuated with garden sculptures.
The picket fence and low border across the front of the property permit passersby to view the front, meditation and terraced gardens. The rest of the property is bordered by six-foot tall board fences with lattice tops, which also were installed by the adjoining neighbors. The owners planted several trees on a neighbor's property for additional shade and privacy.
Mature Norway spruce trees that were on the property provide shade, but lower branches were removed from one tree so the plants beneath receive filtered sun. The roots in the perennial beds are pruned periodically to reduce competition. An irrigation system is used during dry spells in the early morning to discourage slug infestation.
The 20-by-12 foot pool was excavated first, then the soil was used to build a slope for the six-foot drop of the waterfall. Rocks were placed to vary the sound of the moving water, which originates in a naturalistic creek at the top of the feature. Many plants were incorporated into the setting. A pool pump is concealed to muffle its sounds, as the water feature reduces the sound of planes flying overhead.
The Shimizu garden was certified as a Wildlife Habitat Garden by the National Wildlife Federation in 1993.
Related Materials:
Shimizu Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (16 35 mm. slides (photographs))
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
