Exploring the Gardens of Japan
What constitutes a traditional Japanese Garden? Learn about the core principles and similarities between many of these gardens have created one of the most recognizable garden design styles in the globe.
Join Matthew Ross, Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park and 2024 Chanticleer Fellow as he takes us on a virtual tour of the great gardens of Japan and learn about how the traditional techniques have evolved over time. From a Chinese Scholar Garden in Okinawa to the Temple Gardens of Kyoto there will be an abundance of gardens to add to your botanical bucket list!
Matthew Ross
Matthew Ross is the Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park in Traverse City Michigan. He oversees the 26-acre Botanical Garden which was founded by visionaries Kurt and Karen Schmidt and a team of volunteers on the site of the Northern Michigan Asylum Farm.
Prior to coming home to Michigan, Matthew was the Director of Continuing Education at Longwood Gardens, a college instructor at Owens Community College, and chief Horticulturist at Toledo Botanic Garden.
He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University where he received a bachelors and master’s degree in Horticultural Science with an emphasis on Landscape Design Construction Management and Urban Forestry, respectively. He is a well-respected public garden professional that spends his spare time kayaking, hiking, and exploring the vast landscape of Northern Michigan.