I am married to a gardener so I have visited gardens, learned the Latin names of several trees and shrubs, and am beginning to understand some of the rationale behind successful garden design principles. But I have never been compelled to prune a tree for fun or plant shrubs in my spare time, as a true gardener would. As a busy mother and grandmother, however, I realize that, even though I am not a gardener, I desperately need daily contact with the natural beauty and refreshment a garden provides. I need a place where I can still my often-anxious soul and my congestion-and-commercial weary eyes. For me, our garden has become a place of rest.

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& beneficiary of garden rest)

From garden design and choice of materials to plant care techniques, Hanselman Landscape follows time-honored Japanese garden traditions. But with so many garden styles to choose from, what has led Hanselman Landscape to the Japanese for inspiration?

At the heart of Hanselman Landscape’s mission is the desire to learn from the best garden builders in the world. According to Doug Roth, publisher of a Japanese garden journal (Sukiya Living), every culture is highly successful in at least one area, and “the Japanese are very, very good at landscape gardening.” In fact, Japanese garden tradition has been under development for more than 1,000 years, and is far more refined than most people comprehend. As defined by Roth, Japanese gardens are high-quality living environments that reflect the beauty of the natural world and respond to basic human needs.

The careful thought, high-quality workmanship, and integration of nature’s beauty with daily life that characterize Japanese gardening culture also guide the vision and standards of Hanselman Landscape. For this reason, each company team member is continually trained in traditional Japanese gardening methods. This training is applied to every aspect of gardening, from design to maintenance. Regardless of the style of garden being developed, many Japanese garden techniques have universal application, resulting in high-quality, enduring gardens that delight and refresh.

Proudly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& grateful HL team member)

Although the weather is still cold and spring may seem a long way off, there are some garden tasks you can begin now in anticipation of the spring rush in a few months.

PRUNE DECIDUOUS TREES–Without leaves, deciduous trees are easier to prune, since branch structure is clearly visible and more accessible.

CONSIDER ADDING OUTDOOR LIGHTING–Outdoor lighting can highlight the silhouettes of bare trees and evergreens, providing outside interest and a warm welcome during the cold, darker months of the year. (If you want to brighten your outlook, please visit our website and contact us: 717-653-1273!)

CUT DOWN GRASSES–Late winter is a great time to cut down Liriope and ornamental grasses, so that new growth comes up fresh and clean, without the unsightly dead leaves that increase the chance for rot.

Shared by Betty Hanselman Gardener’s wife (& garden steward–even in winter!)

As you plan your garden, you may be encouraged to know that Japanese garden techniques, developed over thousands of years, can inform today’s gardens, no matter the style.
Through his garden research, James Hanselman, principal at Hanselman Landscape, has been inspired by the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Japanese garden traditions. “The Japanese have found ways to incorporate natural beauty in elegant and sustainable ways, even in very tiny urban spaces,” he confirms. “I have dedicated myself to learning and applying Japanese design and care techniques, so that our clients are similarly refreshed when they gaze out of their windows or stroll through their gardens.”

Contributed by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& advocate of garden joy)

The first step in restoring paradise to your property is to thoughtfully and carefully plan the garden you are envisioning. This process is much easier with the help of an experienced garden-design professional.
A great deal of preparation goes into each of Hanselman Landscape’s projects to ensure that the clients’ needs and aspirations are fulfilled. “We encourage our clients to supply photos of treasured places and memories they hope to re-create,” James Hanselman states. For example, one couple asked Hanselman to reproduce a waterfall similar to one they had hiked to in Central America (see below for the realization of their dreams).

In addition to discussing budget, scope, and site, Hanselman prioritizes suitability, elegance, and sustainability before presenting the proposed designs.

Contributed by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& joyful “paradise-dweller”)

As Joni Mitchell so somberly puts it, our culture too frequently “paves paradise to put up a parking lot.” Consequently, homeowners and communities are left to deal with the repercussions: uninspiring, cookie-cutter properties, minimal links to natural beauty, and water drainage issues.

James Hanselman knows paradise. He grew up there, he says, “in the mountain valleys of a tropical island, surrounded by natural beauty and interacting with nature every minute of each day.” Upon returning to the United States, he was saddened to find that “in this land of magnificent beauty, paradise was being discarded to make room for yet another development.” It became his mission to reverse the trend and bring paradise back into the daily experience of others.

Do you want make a difference in your world and capture your own slice of paradise? Keep reading! Subsequent posts will feature inspiration from James Hanselman for turning your yard into a relaxing space you’ll love coming home to.

Contributed by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& fellow steward)