Vashon Demonstration Garden

Mission

In furtherance of WSU’s and Mukai’s educational mission, the Demonstration Garden is intended to:

• Meet the Mukai Mission Statement “We steward, uplift and celebrate the historic Japanese American Mukai Farm & Garden to inspire and nurture an inclusive community;”
• Demonstrate environmentally sound gardening techniques based on WSU research;
• Provide hands-on experience for WSU Master Gardener volunteers;
• Educate the public, including youth, in science-based horticulture and related topics; and
• Provide a focal point for public use and enjoyment of the Mukai facility.

Cultural Focus

Japanese plants selected were mentioned in the poem Aki-no Nanakusa / 秋の七草.  This poem was written by Yamanoue-no Okura around 700 AD, and speaks about flowers blooming in the autumn fields.  The plants in the poem are all native to Japan and we were able to source all of them with the exception of Kudze, also know as Kudzu, which is invasive.

aki no nanakusa (秋の七草/秋の七種)
Meaning: Seven Herbs of Autumn

秋の野に 咲きたる花を 指折り（およびをり）
かき数ふれば 七種（ななくさ）の花
(Aki-no No-ni Sakitaru Hana-wo Oyobiori
Kakikazoureba Nanakusa-no Hana)
Meaning: When I count on my fingers the flowers that bloom in the autumn fields, I find there are seven.

萩の花 尾花 葛花 瞿麦の花 姫部志
また藤袴 朝貌の花
(Hagi-no Hana, Obana, Kuzuhana, Nadeshiko-no Hana, Ominaeshi, Mata Fujihakama, Asagao-no Hana)
Meaning: Bush clover, Japanese silver grass, Kudze, Fringed Pink, Patrinia, thoroughwort (Joe Pye weed), and Balloon Flower.