| May Lee |
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| The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden |
| 寄興園 |
Snow-packed Mei Hua
on January 21,2002,
East Brunswick, NJ.
on January 21,2002,
East Brunswick, NJ.
Approaching the
Chinese Scholar's
Garden, an extra early
Azalea gave a
surprised greeting.
Chinese Scholar's
Garden, an extra early
Azalea gave a
surprised greeting.
The plum blossom was
waving at us from the
courtyard.
waving at us from the
courtyard.
My three winter friends:
Pine, bamboo and plum.
All well-liked by the
scholars for the
perseverance. The Mei
Hua is in full bloom, It is
perfect timing.
Pine, bamboo and plum.
All well-liked by the
scholars for the
perseverance. The Mei
Hua is in full bloom, It is
perfect timing.
The quince is starting
to show its brilliant
color.
to show its brilliant
color.
Along the curving walls,
finally the entrance is
near. P. mume is in full
tilt again. Against the
white wall, it is
especially attractive.
Winter jasmin is
harmonizing with yellow
blossoms in lower
ground.
finally the entrance is
near. P. mume is in full
tilt again. Against the
white wall, it is
especially attractive.
Winter jasmin is
harmonizing with yellow
blossoms in lower
ground.
Winter Jasmin.
Hall for Listening to Pine.
This is the room to
receive guests, The
garden designer placed
great prominence of Mei.
This is the room to
receive guests, The
garden designer placed
great prominence of Mei.
Purple Bamboo and Stone Shoot.
The vertical sedimentary stone piece,
resembles the bamboo shoot, is often used
next to bamboos and is called Stone Shoots.
Purple Bamboo is a special species of
bamboo, often used as ornamentals.
The vertical sedimentary stone piece,
resembles the bamboo shoot, is often used
next to bamboos and is called Stone Shoots.
Purple Bamboo is a special species of
bamboo, often used as ornamentals.
Through a leaf-shaped opening, a small
courtyard of ~8ft wide, ~20 ft deep was planted
with magnolia, Canna, and a few other
Chinese bushes. This made the small space
very delightful.
courtyard of ~8ft wide, ~20 ft deep was planted
with magnolia, Canna, and a few other
Chinese bushes. This made the small space
very delightful.
No garden with stature is without any rock
display. Suchou gardens specially proud of its
presentation of the rocks from the large lake
nearby. Ones showed severe weathering by
water, with intricate hollowing are choice.
display. Suchou gardens specially proud of its
presentation of the rocks from the large lake
nearby. Ones showed severe weathering by
water, with intricate hollowing are choice.
The garden outdoor was paved with vertically
standing black or white rocks. Separated by the
curved black roof tiles into cloverleaf-shaped
pattern. In the center of the patio in front of the
Hall for Listening to Pine is an design created by
the 92 year old construction leader of the team
from Suchou. He designed two Red-Crowned
crane and a pine tree symbolizing longevity and
circled it with double-coin for prosperity. He used
broken crockery for the white of crane and coin.
He used broken beer bottles for the green
needles of the pine and grass. Such ingenuity.
standing black or white rocks. Separated by the
curved black roof tiles into cloverleaf-shaped
pattern. In the center of the patio in front of the
Hall for Listening to Pine is an design created by
the 92 year old construction leader of the team
from Suchou. He designed two Red-Crowned
crane and a pine tree symbolizing longevity and
circled it with double-coin for prosperity. He used
broken crockery for the white of crane and coin.
He used broken beer bottles for the green
needles of the pine and grass. Such ingenuity.
A pond in front of the
patio, can be source of
inspiration. There are
lots of Goldfish of all
colors, liven up the
whole garden.
patio, can be source of
inspiration. There are
lots of Goldfish of all
colors, liven up the
whole garden.
Across the pond is a
corridor leading from
the back yard and
pavilion. On the other
side of the corridor is a
field with Mei Hua and
willow with catkins
peeking green.
corridor leading from
the back yard and
pavilion. On the other
side of the corridor is a
field with Mei Hua and
willow with catkins
peeking green.
Opposite to the pond is
the Pavilion of Insight
for Fish. Seating along
the edge provides
opportunity for
reflection.
the Pavilion of Insight
for Fish. Seating along
the edge provides
opportunity for
reflection.
Into the courtyard in
front of the study.
front of the study.
Entrance to the
backyard.
backyard.
Taller than the back door in full bloom.
The back yard is intricate with pond and
bridge. Several escapes of the pond water
form cascades into the pond out side the wall
a very interesting design. Experiencing it the
first hand is a must.
The back yard is intricate with pond and
bridge. Several escapes of the pond water
form cascades into the pond out side the wall
a very interesting design. Experiencing it the
first hand is a must.
A peek into the backyard.
Not all Mei Hua are fully open yet, The first two
weeks of April will still be good. Hope you will
have a chance to enjoy these lovely flowers
soon.
weeks of April will still be good. Hope you will
have a chance to enjoy these lovely flowers
soon.
Through out the late winter and early spring, the owners of Prunus mume, or Chinese Plum Blossom will be watching
their flower buds for size and signs of blooming. This tree blooms when there is enough warm days in the winter,
sometimes as early as January, e.g. January 20th, 2002. It snowed the next day, the petals were packed with ice
crystals. Yet if the tree is old enough, it will have other dormant flower buds to be openned later. It is this persevering
character that the Chinese admire the plant and recognize it to be the national flower.
Although it is quite a science to predict when the "full bloom" will be, the Forty Plus Club decided to pay a visit to the
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, where lots of P. mumi were planted around the buildings and in the court yards.
When in full bloom, it brings added excitement to this scholar's building, which was completely authentic, shipped
material and labor from SuZhou. By the way these buildings were constructed without a nail. All wood work was
jointed by dove tailing.
For more information: http://www.sibg.org
their flower buds for size and signs of blooming. This tree blooms when there is enough warm days in the winter,
sometimes as early as January, e.g. January 20th, 2002. It snowed the next day, the petals were packed with ice
crystals. Yet if the tree is old enough, it will have other dormant flower buds to be openned later. It is this persevering
character that the Chinese admire the plant and recognize it to be the national flower.
Although it is quite a science to predict when the "full bloom" will be, the Forty Plus Club decided to pay a visit to the
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, where lots of P. mumi were planted around the buildings and in the court yards.
When in full bloom, it brings added excitement to this scholar's building, which was completely authentic, shipped
material and labor from SuZhou. By the way these buildings were constructed without a nail. All wood work was
jointed by dove tailing.
For more information: http://www.sibg.org
My friend, you grew
taller since I last saw
you.
taller since I last saw
you.
"A Garden to Refer
Interest" roughly
translate the three words
over the door, written by
Mr. Wang JiQian, one of
the initiator of the garden.
Interest" roughly
translate the three words
over the door, written by
Mr. Wang JiQian, one of
the initiator of the garden.
West of Hall of Listening to Pine is a courtyard
with TaiHu Rock. Through a door way is another
courtyard, between the study and resting area.
Mei Hua is blooming there.
with TaiHu Rock. Through a door way is another
courtyard, between the study and resting area.
Mei Hua is blooming there.
