Kubota Garden

As a long time resident of the area I find Kubota to be one of the loveliest parks in the city and one of the reasons I love my neighborhood. Over the years it has gone from neglected to highly respected because of the efforts of a group of plant enthusiasts and an overhaul only possible because people recognized Kubota was So worth renovating. Most all the dog-walkers in our community insure it remains pristine now that the restoration work has been done. Folks scoop. The happy walks with pooch in tow – in any season – attest to the gifts of gardening visionary Kubota. Such variety !!! p.s. the once a year plant sale is amazing !

It is just a jewel hidden away. I haven’t been there since the gates have been installed but it was wonderful the three times I had the pleasure to see it.

Kubota Garden.This view of the Terrace’s open lawn, the Hydrangeas in full bloom and backdrop of Black Locust, Robinia Pseudoacacia ‘Frisia.” is spectacular!’ Not to mention the cooling shade of the Filifera Forest, and the sturdy benches placed here & there about the gardens for a contempletive break. I have been meaning to visit this garden ever since my Uncle mentioned it a few years ago, but had forgotten about it until I met a fellow gardener on my “grand tour” last month. Maryanne has worked at Kubota for eons & this is her life’s passion. She gave me an “abbreviated” tour today & I have placed Kubota on my list of garden strolls for the near future. I’d love to see the Parrotia persica in it’s riot of colour this Autumn, the Rhodys & Azaleas next Spring and….oh & I must remember to visit the plant sale in September!!

I went here with my mom on a rainy late afternoon. Like others have said, it’s very different from the Japanese garden in the arboretum—more parkish and less museumish. The larger space makes room for lots of impressive trees of all shapes, sizes, and ages. I love all of the little bridges and hidden corners between bushes, under trees, etc. I want to go back when it’s not raining :)

I had a religious experience involving ducks here.

for right now i am living a block and a half from the entrance; i can’t believe it took me so long to go here.
the gardens are so attractive and varied – some highly manicured areas and other areas were the paths are nearly taken over by the plants.
lots of little spots to lose yourself. and, in fact, i did get a bit lost a couple of times.
i was there at the “worst” part of the day [high noon], and i’m really looking forward to going here closer to dusk.

This is now one of my favorite woodland/garden spots in the city. It encourages wandering. Nothing is marked or explained. It just is.

My spouse and I became members of the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden because it costs $5 per person per visit or $25 per family per year. You do the math. However, this Japanese-inspired garden is free, bigger, and at least in January, less overrun. It is not as meticulously landscaped and manicured, but I loved the many small trails that you could take to see the garden from different angles. I imagine it will be especially pretty when the flowers start to bloom in the spring, but for now, the holly and heather add other color to the infinite spectrum of green already displayed. Take visiting friends and family here before you shell out $5 each for the WPA version.