Blue-leafed thoroughwort
亀清旅館の客間「千歳」の外側の坪庭は二年前に庭師の岡田さんに作ってもらいました。代表の植物は森「あんずの里」記念で杏の木ですが、沢山の植物があります。私はそれぞれの花の名前をまだ勉強中です。
この間、お客さんに聞かれまして: 庭に今咲いている紫の花は何かと。私も前から気になっていました。岡田さんに聞いたら、その花は
青葉藤袴 （アオイフジバカマ）Eupatorium japonicum
岡田さんの作った庭は見る度に新しい花、新しい表現をしています。今までは亀清でこういう楽しみがなかった。今年は今に作っている家族風呂の庭を作ってもらう予定で、楽しみはまた一つ増えます。
In the streetside tsubo-niwa pocket garden for Kamesei Ryokan's "Chitose" guestroom, the main element is the apricot tree in honor of nearby Mori "Apricot Village". Our gardener, Okada-san, planted this garden 2 years ago.
Besides the apricot tree are lots of other curious plants and flowers. I am still learning all the names.
The other day, a guest asked what the purple flowers that are blooming now are. I had been wondering myself, so I called up Okada-san. They are:
Aobafujibakama, (Eupatorium japonicum)
The Japanese name means blue-leaf wisteria hakama (the long, pleated skirt worn over a man's formal kimono).
Hmm, sounds much better than the English name, a thoroughwort.
All of the gardens that Okada-san has built for us have surprises like this. Up until now, Kamesei's gardens have been severely lacking this element. And this year, Okada-san is scheduled to build the garden for our now under-construction family bath. I am sure there will be more surprises in store.
