This month’s Korea.net magazine features Dokdo, but in cataloguing the island’s human and plant inhabitants, the magazine reveals five species with suspiciously Japanese-sounding names that have a firm foothold on the Korean islands. In the plant world, there’s Artemisia japonica var. macrocephala Pampan and Rumex japonicus Houttuyn (both ominously said to be “spreading quickly these … [Read More]
Category: Gardens and horticulture (page 3)
Hwang Jihae: two Chelsea gold medals and now the RHS President’s Award
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Hwang Jihae for winning the RHS President’s Award – an award which in the past has always been given to a display in the main pavilion. The attention to detail and the meticulous planting caught the eye of President Elizabeth Banks, who in her time has herself won five Chelsea Gold Medals. … [Read More]
Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden — an appreciation of the Chelsea gold medal-winner
It was the first decent day of the month. Although it had started grey and cold, the forecasters promised sun and heat, and they were spot on. Quite a good day then, after all the hard preparation by Hwang Jihae’s team, to be awarded a coveted Chelsea gold medal, for the second year runnning. Was … [Read More]
It’s another Gold Medal – congratulations to Hwang Jihae’s team!
Yes, it’s another gold medal. More coverage soon once I’ve had a chance to see the finished garden myself. Links: LKL’s complete coverage of Hwang Jihae’s gardens at Chelsea 2012 and 2011 Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden on Facebook. Please donate using the Paypal sign. [Read More]
Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden — Judgement Day
Today is the first of two judgement days at the Chelsea Flower Show. Nothing more can be done apart from wait for the results, and pay a visit when it’s open to the public next week (if you managed to get a ticket). For those who can’t come along, here are some photos of the … [Read More]
The DMZ Garden gets its finishing touches
With the Chelsea Flower Show having its first judging day tomorrow (Sunday), all the show gardens have to be finished today. Yesterday Hwang Jihae’s team was boosted by some additional volunteers to help finish off the last details. The professionals did some final planting, filling in one or two gaps under the demanding and perfectionist … [Read More]
A DMZ Watch-tower rises over the Chelsea Showground
LKL gets an exclusive look at the construction of the DMZ “Quiet Time” garden, by Korean designer Hwang Jihae, at the Chelsea Flower Show. With the increased tension on the Korean peninsula the narrow strip of demilitarized land which separates north and south is ever more in focus. The timing of Hwang Jihae’s appearance at … [Read More]
The DMZ as eco-tourism – and as a garden
South Korea is turning the DMZ into eco-tourism zone, says Lucy Williamson on the BBC. Hwang Jihae’s DMZ Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show this year is looking increasingly relevant. Links: LKL’s complete coverage of Hwang Jihae’s gardens at Chelsea 2012 and 2011 Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden on Facebook. Please donate using the Paypal … [Read More]
Letters from British Korean war vets in Chelsea Flower show
Letters from British Korean war veterans will feature in Hwang Ji-hae’s DMZ Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012. Interview with the garden designer in the Joongang Ilbo: http://t.co/lvTZYkgs [Read More]
Hwang Jihae will return to Chelsea in 2012
2011 gold medal winner Hwang Ji-hae will return to the Chelsea Flower show in 2012, featuring a DMZ guard post instead of an outside privy http://t.co/PhwVBSP0 [Read More]
The Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden – A Part of Nature
There was a series by Monty Don a while ago called Around the World in 80 Gardens. The East Asian segment was naturally devoted to Chinese and Japanese gardens. It is pity Korea was missed out, as the gardens of Korea have a distinct and unusual ethos. Koreans feel that nature has been good to them. … [Read More]
Picture quiz: does anyone know the location of this wine-cup canal?
I have a pretty book on Korean gardens by Heo Kyun, translated into English and published by Saffron Korea Library. It’s very informative and interesting reading, but I’m not sure I trust the caption which goes with one of its images. I’m in the process of writing up my Korea trip from back in May. … [Read More]
So, what was Korean about the Haewooso garden?
As I looked at the Haewooso garden for the first time, of course the first thing I noticed was the structure at the back of the 4m x 5m plot – the privy after which the Haewooso garden is named. It was set at the end of a rustic path which looked as if it … [Read More]
Why Korea should be proud of Jihae Hwang, and why a sponsor should step forward for next year
Not many Koreans will have heard of Jihae Hwang. In fact, probably more Brits have heard of her. She has recently been on national TV here, with coverage in the best broadsheet newspapers. The English are known for their love of gardening. On sunny Spring Sundays and Bank Holidays, garden centres are crammed with people … [Read More]
An evening with garden designer Hwang Jihae at Chelsea
Drinking makgeolli in front of the Haewooso garden at Chelsea, with its designer Jihae Hwang. Perfect way to start a long birthday weekend. #. The Gold Medal winner and best Artisan Garden was getting lots of interested comments from the gardening cognoscenti. [Read More]
Korea wins Gold medal, best Artisan Garden at Chelsea
It is the first time that a Korean garden has been shown at the Chelsea Flower Show, and designer Jihae Hwang has been rewarded with a gold medal and the accolade of Best Artisan Garden. Rather like at Cannes, where there’s the main event and Un Certain Regard, at Chelsea there’s the Show Gardens and … [Read More]