It is my dream to visit Kyoto one day... I've been using Google Earth to get aquaint with the city and get to know what to see and where to find gardens and temples. There is a great book one can get from amazon, "The Hidden Gardens of Kyoto", with great photos and a good explanation of the different garden designs and functions. I borrowed it twice from my local libary!
Although the fall colours must be impresive, it good to bare in mind they were designed to be appreciated whitin all seasons...
I have in my property a well stablished japanese maple tree and a have planted another one right in the back of the backyard. Halfway from the varanda and the back fence of the garden, I placed a plum tree. Not centerd, but it can be viewed from this varanda as well as from inside the house. To the left of this view I planted a cherry blossom last year which didn't give me anyflower yet. I'll be looking foward this year to see what it looks like. Near and around the Water basin, I planted some 'baby panda bamboo", which is not a bamboo per se, but a grass. I was very please to see this plant depicted in one of the gardens in "The Hidden Gardens of Kyoto"!
Cheers,
Vince.
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