Japanese Garden

Holland Park in London contains within it the Kyoto Garden that was built in 1991 as part of the Japan Festival. The Kyoto Garden was jointly prepared and planted by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce.

“Quadron feel that it is very important to maintain the Kyoto Garden in top condition and to keep the whole ethos of the Japanese style in place. We have enlisted the help of Penny Underwood, who has studied Japanese gardens with the original designer of the Kyoto Garden, Yasutaro Tanaka. We hope to re-inject the design, philosophy and spirituality of the original garden,” said Clive Ivil, Director of the Environment Division for Quadron.

In Japan, when gardens are constructed the plantings are typically mature and have been worked for many years, sometimes generations. Their pruning and training skills are little known in the West. For the Kyoto Garden, it was not possible, at the time, to obtain plants so pruned

“The Kyoto garden is a fine example of a Japanese style garden in the west,” said Penny Underwood. “However, there are some short-falls in the choice of plantings and in the maintenance of plants. Japanese gardens are maintained by manipulation, training and pruning techniques that are very controlled, but intended not to appear so,” she continued.

The aim of the Kyoto Garden is to be a typical “strolling” garden, whereby visitors can walk around and through the garden enjoying the various features and altering vistas.

To experience Japan in the middle of London, do visit the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park when you are next in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea or en route to the Chelsea Flower Show.