grassroots Horticulture : Osaka Garden

All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar. --Helen Hayes

Osaka Garden is a Japanese stroll garden nestled on the north end of the Wooded Island in historic Jackson Park, located in Chicago. The origins of Osaka Garden date back more than 100 years, when the Japanese government gave a beautiful building to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This gift planted the seeds of a lasting relationship between Chicago and Japan. The Osaka Gardens Chicago still has many buildings and artifacts from that time period, including an ornate stone Japanese lantern.

A Robin in a Field of White Clover

Lilies

Late spring and early summer is the best time to admire the flowers and the plants at their peak.

The Osaka Garden is symbolic of a mini landscape with rocks, bushes, and ponds representing mountains, trees and lakes. This style of garden was popular with 17th century Japanese noblemen who used to carefully tend their gardens, ensuring that all plants and trees were kept to proper, human-sized scale. From the pebbles in the Turtle Pond, to the stone Japanese lanterns, the rocks of the garden represent the principles of a Japanese garden, as well as the geologic ages. The placement of each rock in the garden is also carefully considered.

Located on Wooded Island in the heart of Chicago's Jackson Park, the peaceful ambiance of the Osaka Gardens is a great way to soothe the mind and calm the soul. The grounds feature a series of water features and bridges.

The Osaka Garden is considered to be a classic example of a Japanese Stroll garden. This type of garden dates back to the 17th century, and is designed to both reveal and hide features of the garden as one walks through it, with each piece of the garden offering a new view.