Shepard Center showcases art of Japanese flower arranging
This delicate arrangement demonstrates the highly stylized traditional art form of Ikebana. The Sacramento chapter of Ikebana International presents its show and sale June 22-23. Photo courtesy Sacramento Chapter, Ikebana International.
Who knew there was so much meaning in the position of a stem?
This weekend, learn about Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, at the 65th annual Ikebana International exhibition at Shepard Garden and Arts Center.
Hosted by the Sacramento chapter of Ikebana International, the exhibit will be open free to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23.
Ikebana means “the way of flowers” or literally “giving life to flowers.” This highly stylized traditional art form demonstrates the relationship between man and nature. The placement of each bloom, stem and other component holds meaning.
“This free event will be filled with Ikebana arrangements from four schools of Ikebana; Ikenobo, Ohara, Saga Goryu and Sogetsu,” say the organizers.
Several examples of this floral art by local experts will be on display. Club members will be on hand to answer questions.
“See the beauty of Ikebana, daily live demonstrations by Master Teachers Sandra Hatcher, school of Ikenobo, at 11 a.m. and Kika Shibata, school of Sogetsu, at 1 p.m.,” say the organizers.
Children can try their hands at flower arranging during a free activity from 2 to 4 p.m. each day.
Besides exhibits, demonstrations and arrangements, the event will feature vendors of vases, finished arrangements and materials especially designed for floral arranging. As part of this cultural celebration, also find Japanese-related or Asian-inspired crafts, art books, clothing, ceramics and more.
Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, in McKinley Park. Free parking is available next to the center. Children are welcome at this family-friendly event.
Details: https://www.ikebanasacramento.com/.
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Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 3
November still offers good weather for fall planting:
* If you haven't already, it's time to clean up the remains of summer. Pull faded annuals and vegetables. Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* Now is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Keep planting bulbs to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.
* To help prevent leaf curl, apply a copper fungicide spray to peach and nectarine trees after they lose their leaves this month. Leaf curl, which shows up in the spring, is caused by a fungus that winters as spores on the limbs and around the tree in fallen leaves. Sprays are most effective now.