July 2025 Gardening Volunteering Day

Sunday 20 July 2025 saw another dedicated cohort of volunteers return to the Japanese Garden of Peace in Hammersmith Park, continuing our restoration work that began in 2010. Under the summer sky, our team tackled overgrowth and waterway maintenance, drawing the Garden ever closer to the serene vision first created at the 1910 Japan–British Exhibition.

Pond Edge | Carex removed, views opened, weeds tackled

We began by clearing the pond-side carex, which had grown thickly in clumps of all sizes and begun obscuring the water’s edge. Removing these plants helped re-establish visual balance and made space for more light to reflect on the pond. At the same time, we tackled a spread of bindweed creeping across the bank.

In The Water | Blanketweed and plant blockage cleared near the bridge

The most physically demanding task of the day happened in the pond itself. A large mat of blanketweed and water plants had collected near the bridge, restricting water movement and trapping surface debris. Volunteers carefully entered the water to pull out the clog by hand, restoring flow and dramatically improving the pond’s health and appearance.

Streams | Bank-side weeds removed, stones and waterflow revealed

Both stream sides were cleared of dense weed growth to enhance visibility and water circulation. On the left-hand stream, we pruned back overgrown carex to reveal the original stonework, helping restore the crafted aesthetic of this section. A light lower trim was also given to one of the rose bushes, shaping it gently while preserving its structure.

Garden Beds & Bamboo | Pruning overgrowth and shaping cloud forms

Throughout the beds, a round of selective pruning kept vigorous summer growth in check. Overlapping branches and excessive leaf growth were trimmed to improve light and airflow.

Meanwhile, our bamboo areas received their usual round of maintenance pruning. The spotlight remained on the large grove behind the stream railing, where we continued our slow progression toward a cloud-pruned form. It’s an ongoing transformation that will take time and repeated shaping.

What's Next | Bamboo refinement, waterway clarity and seasonal pruning

Looking ahead to our August session, we’ll continue:

• Cloud-pruning work on the large bamboo area

• Monitoring regrowth of blanketweed, bindweed, and water plants

• Streamside trimming and clean-up

• Summer maintenance of roses and other herbaceous plants

Thank You | Volunteers making history flourish

Huge thanks to everyone who came out this month. Your energy, knowledge and care help us protect and restore a truly historic site. The Japanese Garden of Peace, originally created for the 1910 Japan–British Exhibition, continues to evolve thanks to your support, and offers a tranquil space for thousands of visitors to enjoy each year.

If you’d like to join us for a future session, follow us on social media or check the Friends website for upcoming dates. No experience is necessary—just bring a good pair of gloves and a bit of curiosity.