The Japanese garden protagonist of Orticola 2023

«GThe trees and the rocks will teach you things that no teacher will tell you.” This phrase of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle is an ideal bridge between West and East. Nature as a space for contemplation and in which to rediscover oneself is inherent in the Japanese visionbut it is also part of our tradition. It’s time to rediscover this dimension to re-establish our relationship with the environment on a different basis.

Japan, with its plants and its green aesthetics, has a lot to suggest in this regard. Not by chance, this will be one of the common threads of the next edition of Orticola di Lombardia, which will be held in Milan at the Montanelli public gardens from 11 to 14 May.

In Japan, the garden is inspired by nature

The keyword is respect. “The Japanese in their gardens and in their creations, such as bonsai, try to enhance the beauty inherent in nature” he comments Filippo Pizzoni, landscape architect and vice president of Orticola di Lombardia. “Their intelligence lies in knowing how to look at plants for their ability to exist, reproduce and adapt as living beings, not as aesthetically beautiful objects”.

On the contrary, in our approach we Westerners have tried to bend nature to our will: a good example, according to Pizzoni, is topiary art, the geometric cut of hedges. «In Japan, the garden is inspired by nature. Of course, just as there has been an evolution in Europe, there are also different periods in the Land of the Rising Sun. But every natural element, from rock to water, can be reproduced in this human spaceconcludes Pizzoni.

From gravel to stones, from trees to mosses, from water to plants, everything in the Japanese garden speaks of the beauty of nature which is also the seat of the divine. In fact, for Shintoism, the original religion of Japan, the kami, or deities, are around us, they are in a forest, a waterfall or a mountain. Man is not separate from nature, he is part of it. Life, however, is marked by change: nothing remains as it is forever, being born and dying is the rule.

The Japanese garden, with the changes induced by the passing of the seasons, awakens our senses, but also makes us perceive our limitations. And in this sense, as the sinologist explains Yolande Escande in one of her books, the garden becomes a gateway to wisdom. A place to enjoy beauty and meditate.

The plants of the Japanese garden

In addition to these good ideas to inspire you, the Japan is also a treasure trove of vegetables. From the 19th century onwards, plant hunters brought many specimens to Europe that are now so present in our gardens and balconies that we forget their origins. “If you want to get an idea, think of all the plants that have “japonica” in their botanical name» comments Pizzoni.

Any examples? L’Azalea japonicawith magnificent white, pink, fuchsia, red flowers. Japanese Maples, especially the palmate, with its riot of red leaves in autumn. The chrysanthemumwhich is not unique to Japan but is the national flower and emblem of the imperial family in Japan. The aralia (Fatsia japonica) with its spectacular leaves. And the Camellia japonicaknown as the rose of Japan.

As for cherry trees, their iconic flowering in Japan led to the invention of hanami, the trip to contemplate their beauty, which contrasts with the autumn momijigari, the visit to the maples when the leaves light up in shades of fire. There is even a hydrangea typical of Japan: Hydrangea serrata “Amacha’” from whose leaves a sweet tea is obtained. There is no shortage of bamboo.

Among the trees, anyone who has been to Japan cannot fail to have noticed the Taxus cuspidataor Japanese yew, pruned in the shape of spectacular clouds.

Variety of bonsai

At Orticola various exhibitors will offer novelties that allow us to take home a little bit of Japan. Starting with bonsai, plants obtained with particular techniques to miniaturize leaves, branches, roots. «Not flowers and fruits, however, which retain a normal dimension, creating a singular effect» points out Susanna Crespi, external relations manager of Frizzy Bonsai. “This year we will bring several Satsuki azaleas with spectacular blooms, obtained from hybrids created every year in Japan. Then we will have the bonsai of lilac flowers and a citrus fruit, the chinotto».

For those who love orchids, Giulio Celandroni Orchids will present the Neophynetia falcataa Japanese mini-orchid also called fūran, wind or samurai orchid, which in the evening opens its very fragrant little white flowers.

In Japan bonsai are often accompanied by accompanying bowl plants. “I am the kusamono, miniaturized herbaceous perennials, and the shitakusacompositions that include plants from the same plant environment as the bonsai» explains Fabrizio Spirito, owner of Zen Plantarium and expert on these creations. «They furnish and gratify those who love plants but don’t have the space of a garden». One of the highlights that he will bring to Orticola is a shitakusa in a cast iron pot, with ground cover violets, Mukdenia rossii and ornithogallo bulbs. «The technique I use is Japanese, as for the materials I give free rein to my imagination. For example, in a kusamono with the carnivorous sundews I use a ceramic vase from Grottaglie » he comments.

Another bizarre Japanese invention is the kokedama. These are plants whose roots are a sphere of soil, enclosed by moss, which acts as a substitute for the vase and which are scenographically hung from the ceiling. «We choose stress-tolerant plants that are easy to grow» say Simone Nigra and Andrea De Paoli, owners of Gardenesque and kokedama experts.

Any examples? «Ficus ginsengwhich when suspended recalls a tree on a planet. Asparagus plumosus, with a hanging effect, or ivy, sanseveria». How do you get wet? «The ball comes off and you feel the weight: if it’s light, it’s time to immerse it in water for about five minutes. It absorbs like a sponge and weighs you down».

Floating ikebana

To those who love the Far East, Orticola reserves a further surprise. The traditional installation inside the fountain in front of Palazzo Dugnani this year is inspired by theikebana, the Japanese art of arranging cut flowers. “There will be some floating bamboo rafts with floral arrangementsto recall the insularity of Japan» explains Roberta Santagostino, teacher of the Ikebana Chapter Ohara of the Garden Club Milan, creator of this installation. «Then, on the sides, bamboo sticks cut with inside an ikebana composition will evoke yukitsuri, the shelters used in Japan to protect delicate plants and flowers from snow and bad weather, and decorative bamboo easels that will act as a trait d’union. As for style, we will respect Japanese taste as much as possible in terms of line, shape, simplicity and rusticity». The flowers used? «Lilies, peonies, irises and many others».

Japanese garden: the laboratories in Orticola

Many meetings and workshops in Orticola: from how to tie a furoshiki, or the ecological alternative to plastic, to fabric making techniques that respect the symbology of flowers, to watercolors and, of course, ikebana

Among the many appointments proposed by Orticola di Lombardia, this year some are specifically linked to the culture of the land of the rising sun. Chiara Bottelli in the meeting “The symbolism of flowers in kimonos” deals with the techniques of making Japanese fabrics and references to the seasons.

The same expert will also present the furoshikithe typical square of fabric that the Japanese use to wrap and carry objects, an ecological alternative to plastic. For those who love to draw and paint, Chiara Trinchieri, expert in botanical paintingproposes a meeting to portray bamboo live.

Ikebana Chapter Ohara of the Garden Club Milano organized the meeting “Ikebana, the poetic art of flowers”, with projection of images and a live demonstration elaborated by a teacher. Japan is also famous for the art of arranging food: you eat first with your eyes, and then with your palate. A meeting is dedicated to this theme which will also address the harmony between food and nature in the Japanese tradition and confectionery linked to seasonality. Info on dates and times: orticola.org.

In Orticola there is also iO Donna

Six glass bell workshops inspired by furin Japanese, to create hanging decorations

Here we are: from 11 to 14 May, Orticola di Lombardia returns to the Montanelli Gardens in Milan, the Market exhibition of unusual, rare and ancient flowers, plants and fruits. With over 80 free courses and events dedicated to floral art and garden culture, workshops and meetings with experts to deepen the knowledge and cultivation of plants.

And of course we will be there too: Naïs for iO Donna has organized 6 wind chime workshops inspired by Japanese furin, to be created using elements of the Japanese imagination, from cherry blossoms to cats.

Dating is for Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 from 12 to 13.30 and from 14.30 to 16.00 in the Corsi Dugnani area 2in the palace courtyard). It is not necessary to register online to book, but it is advisable to arrive 10/15 minutes before the laboratory sessions, because places are limited.

In the iO Donna stand, then, there will be a lounge with a photobooth where people can take a souvenir photo to take home and/or post on social media, or relax by leafing through a copy of the newspaper.

Hurry to buy tickets! It can only be done onlineon sites orticola.org And midatacket.it. And until April 30 it can be done at a reduced cost of 10 euros. More info on dates and times: orticola.org.

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