Japan, the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ has one of the great world traditions of garden design. In November the gardens of Kyoto glow with the changing leaf colors of the famed maples set against the deep green of moss and the tones of raked gravel and ancient stones. This storied city, preserved from destruction during World War II, has been an artistic, religious and commercial center for over a thousand years.
Korea, the ‘Land of Morning Calm’ has a 5,000 year old history and its own traditional garden culture. With four distinct seasons its wealth of native plants and varied topography combine in a landscape described as geumsu gangsan -‘a land of picturesque rivers and mountains as if embroidered on silk. This natural beauty has led to the development of a landscape style that differs in many ways from the classic styles of China and Japan, notably in its use of a wide range of plants, chosen not only for their symbolism, such as the ‘four gentlemen’ of bamboo, orchid, chrysanthemum and plum, but also for their variety.
This trip, sponsored by The Boston Architectural College and led by LI Travel Expeditions and Nan Blake Sinton, will take place October 24 – November 8. As director of programs for Horticulture magazine Nan has developed, organized and led an international series of garden seminars and tours. An experienced educator and designer, Nan was also the director of public programs at Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum and has been leading garden design programs to Portugal since 1995. She is a horticultural educator, garden designer, writer, and national lecturer on design and planting; her work in horticultural outreach and education has been recognized by the Garden Club of America, and was Massachusetts Horticultural Society 2005 Gold Medal winner.
For more information, please email pce@the-bac.edu.
