Our Garden Club enjoyed learning about an ancient Japanese planting method Kokedama! Around 1600 BC, starting from Bonsai (a tree forced to grow in a shallow tray with tedious ‘training’ methodology) they began to grow plants only in a ball of soil with its own distinctive appearance. The word may be translated from “koke” meaning moss and “dama” meaning ball. The creation entails suspending the root ball of a plant in a mud ball that’s coated in a sheet of moss. For display, the plant may be secured to driftwood, placed in a bowl or suspended from twine or monofilament fishing line. We used slow-growing plants with small root systems that are moisture and shade tolerant, such as anthurium, ferns, and ivy. We discovered Kokedama to be a delightful way to enjoy nature in a lovely, compact little package.
