Sunday's gardening day at the Japanese Garden of Peace made history—eighteen volunteers turned up to transform our beloved corner of Hammersmith Park, including one wonderful supporter from Philadelphia who was visiting London and eagerly joined our efforts! With the highest volunteer turnout we've ever achieved, this enthusiastic crew tackled everything from major bamboo clearance to pond restoration, proving what extraordinary community spirit can accomplish.
Bamboo | Major clearance and cloud-pruning preparation
After months of planning, we finally conquered the massive bamboo cluster along the back stream railing. This compacted jungle had become too damaged and dense for traditional cloud-pruning techniques, so our volunteers systematically removed the compromised sections while preserving the healthiest canes. Though a few stubborn bits remain for future sessions, the transformation is remarkable—the area now breathes again, ready for proper cloud-pruning refinement.
Throughout the garden's other bamboo groves, teams methodically removed new shoots to maintain those distinctive cloud-pruned silhouettes that give our Japanese garden its authentic character. It's meticulous work that requires both patience and an eye for traditional Japanese aesthetic principles.
Bridge Area & Right Stream | Carex removal and shrub pruning
The persistent carex continues to challenge us along the bridge area, where volunteers worked diligently to tackle both weeds and the ever-resilient sedge that tends to spread throughout our waterside plantings. This ongoing maintenance is crucial—carex can quickly dominate an area if left unchecked, overwhelming the more delicate plants and disrupting the carefully balanced ecosystem of our water features. Each session requires us to carefully identify and remove new growth while preserving the plants we want to keep.
Meanwhile, the overgrown shrubs flanking the right stream received much-needed attention after months of vigorous summer growth. These plants had begun to lose their intended shape and structure, with branches extending well beyond their designated spaces and creating an unkempt appearance. Our volunteers carefully pruned them back to restore their proper form, ensuring good air circulation and light penetration while maintaining the naturalistic but controlled aesthetic that characterises Japanese garden design. The difference is immediately visible—the stream area now feels balanced and purposeful once again.
Stone Basin Area | Path clearing and access restoration
Our teams tackled the stone basin area up the hill, where months of unchecked growth had created a genuine access problem. Encroaching bushes and trees had begun extending their branches across the pathways, making it difficult for visitors to navigate the space comfortably and safely. Some areas had become so overgrown that the pathway was barely visible, while the stone basin itself was being obscured by the surrounding vegetation.
Through strategic pruning and selective removal, volunteers restored clear access routes while being careful to maintain the garden's natural beauty and authentic Japanese aesthetic. The work required careful consideration of each cut—removing enough growth to open up the space without creating an overly manicured appearance that would feel out of place in this historic setting. The result is a space that feels welcoming and accessible while preserving the contemplative atmosphere that makes this area so special.
Rose & Mahonia Areas | Thorny challenges and shrub separation
The day's thorniest task proved to be the massive rose shrub, which had grown into a formidable specimen requiring very careful handling. The sheer density of thorny branches meant that only volunteers equipped with the thickest gauntlet gloves could work safely with this plant. Even with proper protection, progress was necessarily slow and methodical—each cut had to be planned carefully to avoid getting caught in the thorny maze.
We made solid initial progress in opening up the centre of the shrub and removing some of the most problematic overgrown sections, but this is clearly a project that will need to be tackled gradually over multiple sessions. The rose's vigour and defensive capabilities mean that patience and persistence will be key to eventually bringing it back to a manageable size while preserving its natural beauty.
In pleasant contrast, the cluster of mahonia japonicas responded beautifully to careful pruning work. These distinctively Japanese shrubs had grown together over time, with branches becoming tangled and individual plants losing their definition. Our volunteers skillfully separated the intertwined branches and restored clear boundaries between each plant, allowing their elegant natural form to shine through once again. The surrounding area also received a thorough weed and ivy clearance, revealing the clean lines and architectural structure that make these plants such valuable additions to our authentic Japanese garden setting.
In The Water | Weed removal and stonework clearing
Four dedicated volunteers took on the challenging task of working directly in the pond, donning waders to tackle problems that could only be addressed from within the water itself. The main pond had developed several issues that were affecting both its health and appearance—troublesome blanketweed had formed thick mats in places, while overgrown water lilies were creating blockages that prevented natural water flow patterns.
Working carefully to avoid disturbing the pond's ecosystem more than necessary, our underwater team systematically removed the problematic vegetation. The blanketweed removal was particularly important, as these algae mats can quickly deplete oxygen levels and create an unhealthy environment for other pond life. The lily clearing required more delicate work, as these plants are valuable to the pond when properly managed, but had simply grown beyond their intended boundaries.
Perhaps most painstaking was the work on the historic stonework itself, where weeds and grass had taken root in the crevices and joints. This vegetation not only obscures the beautiful craftsmanship of the original stone installation but can also cause structural damage over time as roots expand and freeze-thaw cycles take their toll. By carefully removing this unwanted growth, our volunteers have helped preserve these important historic features while improving the overall appearance of the pond's edges.
Thank You | Record volunteers making history flourish
When the day concluded, our incredible team had generated a staggering sixteen ton bags of green waste—our highest single-day total ever! This impressive volume reflects not just the amount of work accomplished, but also the thoroughness and dedication our volunteers brought to every task. All this organic material will be mulched and composted, eventually returning to nourish the garden in a beautiful cycle of regeneration that honors the sustainable principles underlying traditional Japanese garden management.
The day perfectly demonstrated what can be achieved when passionate people come together with a shared purpose. From our visitor from Philadelphia—who happened to be in London and enthusiastically joined our efforts—to our regular volunteers who have been with us for years, every person contributed something unique to the day's success. The mix of experience levels, backgrounds, and perspectives creates exactly the kind of collaborative spirit that has sustained this garden for over 115 years.
What makes days like this so special is seeing how individual efforts combine to create transformative change. The garden that visitors will experience in the coming weeks is noticeably different from the one we started with on Sunday morning—clearer pathways, healthier water features, properly shaped plantings, and that indefinable sense of care and attention that makes a space truly welcoming. This is the living legacy of everyone who picks up a pair of pruning shears and spends their weekend helping to maintain this unique corner of London's heritage.
