25+ Years of Gardens
Garden Tour 2022
This year’s Tour spanned Edmonds with eight gardens – six of them east of 5th Avenue in “The Bowl”, one east of Five Corners, and another south of the Westgate area. We curated a diverse palette of garden styles, each with its own personality and creative qualities including:
- A sleek, modern-style environment created with easy care, drought-tolerant plants, ideal for an active family.
- Rich with history and rare beauty, a woodland and water garden paradise passed down from one family gardener to another.
- An eclectic, changing collection of colorful garden rooms that invites visitors to discover and relax.
- Peaceful and serene, a home surrounded by opulent gardens with Japanese and Chinese influences.
- A carefree entertainer’s garden that sets the stage for gatherings with flowers, food and fun.
- Terraced with hand-set stones and ornamental and edible plants, a hillside graced with layered, blooming vistas.
- A true plant-lovers playground that transforms a small space into garden overflowing with ever-changing color and texture.
- Anchored by huge cedars, a sculptured Japanese maple and a small waterfall and pond, a sun-filled former farm honors and enhances its 1930’s roots.
Guests wandered through each garden, accompanied by music performed by local professional musicians. In addition, they enjoyed inspiring art being created at each venue by celebrated local artists.
I felt it was best year ever
Loved all the gardens
Music smiles and especially
The plant I D. Photos and info
Thanks for all the effort
You ladies rocked it !
Kay Weiss
The below custom stones were created specifically for each garden host by local mosaic artist, Sandi Staples. More information about Sandi below.
Sandi Staples
Local mosaic artist Sandi Staples enjoys creating unique mosaics for gallery, indoor and outdoor home settings from her Everett, WA studio. Her fascination with the colors, texture and possibilities of stained glass mosaic art and the beauty of expression through glass is her driving force.
Mosaics are a work of love and labor which cultures have used to tell stories and preserve history for over 2000 years. Each tesserae – the pieces of glass which compose the mosaics – is painstakingly hand cut from glass and arranged. The pieces are then cemented, grouted and polished. It takes many times more hours to create a mosaic than it would to create a painting of similar design.
Sandi has participated in several local exhibits. She also enjoys teaching mosaic classes and is a member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.
You can view Sandi Staple’s current art in the Parklane Gallery Online Store and find a retrospective of her works at parklanegallery.zenfolio.com/sandistaples
[YouTube Interview with Walter]
When Walter and Kari Thompson moved to Edmonds in 1975, there were only seven houses on Spruce Street. Their home had no foundation or heat, and they lived in it until they finished building their present home in 1980.
Originally part of a larger property owned by Frederick Borgwardt, his daughter Pauline lived next door, and shared plants and the history of this decades-old garden. In the 1930’s, a succession of cement ponds were built to harness the creek. As time changed the landscape, the Thompsons restored the ponds and created paths and terraces that encourage friends to explore.
As you enter the property, you are greeted by a grove of Himalayan birch with an underplanting of bear’s breeches and native plants.
Stepping into the backyard, you hear the sound of waterfalls and wind through a grove of rare sequoia. You pass by shade-loving perennials, and unique Japanese maples that add texture and color. A gentle slope leads to the succession of ponds, surrounded by wisteria. Bridges lead to a well-used greenhouse and a garden house, built for the original property, where the Thompsons frequently entertain.
There are surprises at every turn, prehistoric-looking gunnera, pitcher plants and a Walter’s favorite feature, a custom metal privacy screen.
Walter is a Master Gardener and volunteers at the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Shoreline and the Willow Creek Hatchery in Edmonds.
As you discover the beauties in this garden, be on the lookout for the alligator!
Trees
- Jacquemontii birch/Betula utilis jacquemontii
- Ponderosa pine/Pinus ponderosa
- Manchurian snakebark maple/Acer tementosum ‘Joe Witt’
- Columnar weeping redwood/Sequoia sempervirens ‘Mount Loma Prieta Spike’
- Sycamore maple cv./Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Puget Pink’
- Sweetshrub/Calycanthus x raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’
- Japanese maple/Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’
- Leyland cypress/Cupressocyparis x leylandii
- Full Moon mapleAcer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’
- Chinese stewartia/Stewartia sinensis ‘Garden’s Guardian
[Photos] [YouTube Interview with Porters]
When Tim and Monti Porter invited Monti’s mom Carolyn to live with them, the yard became a family affair. And what happens when you combine the talents of three gardeners? A collection of creative garden rooms, each with their own personality.
Stretching along the north side of the house, is a perennial border with a palette of purples, white, pink and red, that ends under two enormous cedars. Underneath is their newest garden, a river rock bed with a collection of colorful sedum. Gracing the front yard is a massive magnolia tree, a source of delight for the entire neighborhood.
Stepping through the gate you’ll find raised beds filled with organic vegetables. Tall arbors surround the walled backyard, covered in three kinds of wisteria, grapes and passionflower. The new lawn area ends with a generous-sized shed, and the deck is home to many lazy summer cookouts, all designed and built by the Porters.
Throughout the yard you’ll discover upcycled elements. Repurposed bed headboards make great gates, aged grapevines add texture and the handmade bird houses invite winged friends.
Each gardener has a favorite spot. Monti loves the new sedum garden. Tim is a fruit and berry fan, and the espalier apples benefit from his care. Carolyn’s favorite spot is the outdoor potting bench.
What’s next on their project list? A new seating area shaded by the magnolia tree, a small greenhouse, and perhaps some water features. But you can be sure, this unique garden is constantly changing, as each gardener comes up with new ideas.
Trees
- Saucer magnolia/Magnolia soulangiana
- Alaskan cedar/Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
- Espaliered apples/Malus spp.
[Photos]
Living on part of an old Edmonds farm, Bobbie and Steve Laue’s yard evolved throughout the years. Starting as a peaceful place where their children could play, the Laue’s have made it a place for many shared projects.
A now-retired ER nurse, Bobbie always found her garden a healing place, a way to relieve the stresses of her day. Steve spent his time building the ironwood deck, fences, arbors, a she-shed, and creating pathways and sitting areas.
Along the street is a perennial border anchored by a massive Fir, with peonies planted in the 1930’s by the original homeowner. Around the corner, two western red cedars frame the entrance to the yard, home to birds and wildlife. Passing by a sculpted Japanese maple, you hear the splash of water. The small pond and creek dug by Steve and built by Bobbie is a relaxing spot, where they sit and watch the birds.
There is a perennial border with blueberries, roses, and the “Miss Thea” peony, a housewarming gift from an elderly neighbor. Another bit of the past is the farm’s old machine shed, home to Steve’s workshop. Nearby is their latest project, a rockery created last year. And be sure to explore the private walkway, with stained glass windows created by Bobbie, a spot to sit amongst the birds.
Bobbie says,” I enjoy trying to see what I can create and share with others. I love being outdoors, I can spend hours playing in my yard.”
Trees
- Western Red Cedar/Thuja plicata x 2
- Japanese stewartia/Stewartia pseudocamellia
- Twisty Baby Dwarf Black Locust/Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Lace Lady
[Photos]
Sharing summer sunsets and fun with friends and family were the goals Colleen and Rick Luque wanted to achieve with their garden design. After moving into their home in 2017, they began to set the stage for an entertainer’s garden that was beautiful, colorful and functional.
First, they built a gathering place, an outdoor living space with a fireplace, topped with a deck for viewing the Sound. Then, they asked good friend Heidi Fehr of Ashworth Design Studio to work on the design.
Entering the backyard, you encounter a stone patio with a firepit area, the ideal spot to gather on chilly nights. Screened with mountain hemlocks, dotted with ferns, grasses and euonymus, it’s a charming collection of textures. Along the back fence, custom trellis panels support clematis and honeysuckle, that draw the eye upwards.
At the base of the sloping lawn and game area, cedar planters are filled with fresh veggies and herbs, perfect for summer meals. The design is finished with oakleaf hydrangeas, grasses, fatsia and mosses well as Pacific Fire maples for winter color and a cutting garden with lavender, roses and other blooms.
In the evenings, the couple like to wander in their yard to relax. Colleen loves to arrange cut flowers and grows a steady supply of blooms. Rick adds the muscle and helps by weeding and mowing.
Although frost hit their garden hard this past winter, Colleen has taken it in stride and looks at it as an opportunity to further edit their space.
Trees
- Styrax japonicus/Japanese snowbell
- Japanese cedar/Cryptomeria japonica
- Purple Smoke Tree/Cotinus coggygria
- Mountain hemlock/Tsuga mertensiana
- Vine maples/Acer circinatum
[Photos]
In 2017, when Kristi and Jon Dawson purchased their home, they took on a big project. The yard was overgrown, and the house needed major renovations. So with Jon’s construction skills and Kristi’s horticultural background, they got to work designing, building and planting everything themselves.
Remodeling the house took about a year, and in 2019 they started on the yard. First, they removed the failing shrubs and trees. Next, came truckloads of soil to create elevation changes in the landscape.
To draw the eye, they created a dry riverbed with a curve that echoes the walkway. Kristi is a tree-lover and planted trees and conifers for structure and then added shrubs, grasses and perennials. Color flows through the garden in waves, reflected in leaves and the stems of textured foliage. The front garden is constantly changing, as Kristi discovers new and unusual plants.
A curving brick path leads into the backyard where a fountain, accented by a spectacular Melianthus, attracts birds, and adds tranquility. Although the space is small, Kristi created room for a shade garden, raised vegetable beds and a flower garden.
The Dawsons also built a deck for gatherings and to take in the expansive western views. To utilize the space underneath, they built a potting shed/greenhouse with stained glass windows and a handmade potting bench.
Since the small backyard is tucked away from their entertaining space, it doesn’t need to have year-round interest. Kristi says this is ‘her happy place’ a place to play in the dirt and relax in nature.
[Photos]
Ten years ago, when Tyler and Cathy Kimbrough moved into their home, the backyard was a sloping lawn that ended in standing water from a natural spring. Since they felt flower gardening was more fulfilling than lawn care, they decided to create a garden that was charming and changed with the seasons.
To dry out the lower yard, they started at the bottom of the hill and began installing a succession of seven French drains. Next, they built terracing, bringing in stone and soil one wheelbarrow at a time.
Now as you step into the garden, you wander along gravel pathways that cross the slope. Tyler likes to plant trees and shrubs with interesting foliage, and flowering perennials cascade along the walkway in a colorful display. Columnar Apples and an edibles garden provide home-grown vegetables and fruit. A new multi-level outdoor entertaining space with spiral staircase looks over the garden, providing the ideal vantage point for the layered, blooming vista.
One of the highlights in the garden is a rare Dawn Redwood. A previous owner planted this unusual deciduous conifer, and now it’s surrounded by a woodland garden.
The front yard garden is one of Tyler’s favorites, a collection of sedum, grasses and heather in muted colors. The other side has a moss covered “river,” a path that leads to the backyard.
Tyler commented that gardening is creating a living work of art. We are grateful the Kimbroughs are sharing their masterpiece.
Trees
- Golden Japanese cedar/Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-sugi’
- Dawn redwood/Metasequoia glyptostroboides
- Columnar Apple Trees/Malus cultivars
- Purple-leafed Sand Cherry/Prunus x cistena
[Photos]
For years, they nurtured English-style gardens, rich with lawns and flowering shrubs. But for this new home, they decided to consider the resources and time those gardens required.
Inspired by Palm Springs’ MCM landscapes and visits to the New Zealand Garden at the Seattle Arboretum, a vision became clear. Create an easy-care, drought-tolerant garden with a northwest coastal vibe that fit in with their active lifestyle. Working with their landscaper daughter from Kaleidoscope Inc., and Roy Mangel of Elements of Nature, they built the hardscape and planted.
Visitors are greeted by an asymmetrical multi-level entry, anchored with custom planters filled with witch hazel and grasses. A Japanese maple and hebes lead to a seating area that takes in the sunset view. Walking to the backyard, you pass by one of Edmond’s many creeks, with a steep hillside rescued from invasive blackberries.
As you step into the private entertaining space accented by colorful containers, you’ll encounter an impressive bird’s nest spruce. Lion’s head and Japanese maples, hebes, sedum, grasses and barberries decorate the gentle slope, adding color and creating an ideal space for summer evenings.
Carol says she is amazed at how lush her garden looks after only a few years. And best of all – she waters 12-15 times a year and it is low maintenance, leaving the family time to spend boating.
New additions in 2022:
- Hollywood Junipers
- Monrovia Amber Carpet Roses
- Flowering Currant
- White Enkianthus
- Blue Mist Hebe
- Ivory Halo Dogwood
- White Veranda rose
- Rhododendron Pachytrichum
- Picturata Aucuba
- Golden Mops Threadbranch Cypress
Initial Plantings 2018:
- Myrica californica- Pacific Wax Myrtle
- Purnus lauroceracus ‘Nana’- Dwarf English Laurel
- Acer palmatum ‘Seiryu’- Japanese Maple
- Acer palmatum ‘Blookdgood’ – Japanese Maple
- Rosmarinus officnalis ‘Tuscan Blue’- Rosemary
- Nandina domestica ‘Compacta’- Compact Heavenly Bamboo
- Cistus x pulverulentus ‘Sunset’ – Rock Rose
- Viburnum plicatum tomentosum ‘Maresii’ – Doublefile Viburnuum
- Lagerstroemia indica ‘Muskogee’ – Crepe Myrtle
[Photos]
[YouTube Interview of Linda Harter]
Linda Harter is a gardener who loves to share. When she moved into her home in 1975, she planted a shared daffodil garden with a neighbor. And now as neighbors walk by her home to visit and admire her gardens, Linda shares baby Japanese maples, strawberry starts and other plants with them.After a contractor remodeled her home, Linda was left with piles of dumped construction material. But she turned that nightmare into a dream Japanese-style garden to share with everyone who passes.
Starting with rocks, she outlined the structure and created the dry riverbed. Next, she planted treasured Japanese maples, peonies, hostas and hydrangeas to create splashes of color and texture. And this style is carried throughout her landscape.
Entering the secluded backyard, you encounter her newest Japanese garden surrounding a beloved Japanese maple, her now-favorite place to sit and reflect. Stones line every border of the gardens, all gathered from her own yard.
To the left is a grove of blooming trees, dogwood, crabapple and stewartia, all framed by Linda’s favorite garden element, a pergola draped with a mature climbing hydrangea. Tall firs shelter a woodland area with native plants, and a luminous Moon Garden with an arch, bell and diverging stone pathways is a recent addition. In the corner, Linda has a soaring 150 ft. grand fir, her father’s first living Christmas tree, gifted to her 46 years ago.
As you leave, be sure to admire her “retirement rock,” the ideal vantage point to take in the natural beauty of her woodland space.
Trees
- Katsura/Cercidiphyllum japonoicum
- Japanese maple cultivar/Acer palmatum dissectum cv.
- Crabapple/Malus species
Plant List
On the street at welcome sign (West side of joint houses)
- Heuchera, Maidenhair fern and black Mondo grass in large pot
- Marigolds in small pots
- four pots in front both houses have Gerber daises (Majorette Yellow Dark Eye) and Calibrachoa Coral Sun
- Katsura Tree (notice the amazing bark) and large green pot with Evercolor Everillo Japanese Carex and orange begonia
- flower bed has several hostas but notice the School Mouse and Mouse Ears (3 small hostas), Viola, Bachelor Button, Forget Me Not, Pulmonaria (Raspberry Splash and Pretty in Pink), Euphorbia, Sedum and some extras the birds brought in.
- Driveway bed on East side of house
- Daisies, Mallow, Day Lilies, several ground covers and an amazing Japanese maple (red)
- Pots; Suncredible Saturn sunflowers, Echinacea – Delicious Candy, Sedum
After checking in, proceed to back yard. The raised bed is a “friendship” sharing garden. This is where I start plants from cuttings of existing plants. You’ll see hydrangeas, Japanese maples, lady fern, Oregon Grape, Viburnum, Cacosmia, blueberry bushes, strawberries, mint, rosemary and more.
As you enter the backyard, Japanese garden
- Red and Viridis green Japanese Maples
- Sprinkler Sedge in Asian pot
- Several Heuchera; Silver Gumdrop
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Black Mondo Grass
- Raspberry Sundae Peony
- Bird’s Nest Spruce and Azalea
- Himalayan Maidenhair Grass
- Chain fern, Holly fern
- Brunnera; Sea Heart, Queen of Hearts
- Samurai Toad Lily
- Hostas; Velvet Moon, Timeless Treasure, June, June Spirit, Island Breeze, Guacamole, Firn Line and more
Pergola
- Climbing Hydrangea
- Crabapple and Stewartia trees
- Japanese Forest Grass
Playhouse window boxes
- Calibrachoa; Neo Pink Hawaii and Aloha Tiki Soft Pink
- Creeping Jenny
Chinese Moon Garden (white flowers only so they glow in moon light) – A bell is believed to bring good luck
- Dreaming Swan Anemone
- Tiarella “Sugar & Spice”
- Cascading hydrangea
- Marshmallow fuchsia basket
- Bleeding Heart
- Astilbe Chinensis
- White Geranium
- Snowball Viburnum
- Brunnera Silver Heart
- Lamium – silver and green ground cover
- Hellebores – white
- Dad’s Grand Fir Christmas Tree
- Japanese Kierra in the distance
Woodland garden
- Hydrangeas
- Hostas
- Sweet Woodruff ground cover
- Oregon Grape and Salal
- Sword Ferns
- Soft Caress Mahonia at the end of the path in a pot
- Japanese maples (one is bright pink in the Spring)
- Astilbes
- Gulf Stream Nandina
- Rhodies
- Epimedium (yellow flowers in Spring) and Japanese Sweet Flag under large Japanese Maple
Deck on way to the music
- ‘I’ Conia Portofino Hot Coral in turquois pot
- Cranberry Cocktail Dianthus in pink pot
- Peace Pole – pansies, creeping jenny and Bidens ferulifolia
- Oh La La pot – Senecio ‘Angel Wing’ (succulent)
- Suncredible Saturn Sunflower
- Variety of Geraniums
- Rudbeckia Goldstrum
Front garden bed lined with stacked rocks
- Peonies and a variety of Hydrangeas (Pee Wee at edge)
- Variety of Hostas
- New Zealand Iris
- Purple Passion plant
- Several Japanese maples (green and red); look under for Japanese Painted ferns
- Poppies; Oriental and Wind
- Daisies
- Astible and Spirea
- Ferns; Holly, Giant Chain, Lady & more
- New Zealand Flax
- Viburnum
- Clematis (two)
> Iris
> Wind flowers
> wooden baskets are from Maui; note the sea rocks and shells
Garden Tour 2021
Hundreds of visitors flocked to tour six outstanding gardens on a glorious summer day and enjoyed Edmonds in full bloom. Always popular, last year’s Garden Tour was sold out, the first time in its 25-year history. Visitors were really eager to be outdoors and savor the colorful and creative spaces at one of Edmonds’ premier summer events.
We thank the garden owners, the real stars of this event, who graciously invited people to view their lovely and inspiring spaces. Each garden reflects the personalities and horticultural interests of the hosts. Visitors were treated to serene ponds, vibrant waterfalls, creative plantings, exuberant colors and varieties of foliage.
“We so much enjoyed our garden tour. I’m from Arlington, my friend from Edmonds and my granddaughter and her friend from Seattle all had a delightful time. The girls chauffeured us around to the lovely bountiful gardens, which displayed creativity in challenging spaces.” Peggy James
The Tour is an all-volunteer effort and the result of months of planning by the Garden Tour Committee. Thanks to Bountiful Home, FIELD, Garden Gear and Gallery and Sky Nursery for selling tickets and to Salish Crossing for providing the site for ticket pick-up and the City’s Tree Board for labeling trees in the featured gardens. Thanks also to the Volunteers who assist in the gardens and appreciation to the residents who accommodate the traffic in their neighborhoods that afternoon.
Proceeds from the Tour fund a variety of Edmonds in Bloom projects including scholarships for horticultural students, sponsorships of hanging baskets and planted corners in downtown Edmonds, support for school projects, and more.
When Elaine Talbot moved to her home four and a half years ago, the yard presented some interesting challenges. Its front was a steep hill of bark, shrubbery and volunteer violas, which was difficult to access for maintenance. Concrete covered much of the back yard.
With help from her previous neighbors, Tom Lee and Daniel Lowery of Queen Anne Gardens, she installed a retaining wall of joined large rectangular containers with drip irrigated planting space, which facilitated maintenance and access. With much of the concrete removed from the back yard, the garden now contains more small trees, thriving perennial beds, a variety of hardy fuchsias and a small patch of grass for her happy cairn terriers.
Elaine’s garden is her place to cut daily flower bouquets (she is particularly fond of roses) and enjoy watching the bird activity that her new trees, feeders, water features and plantings attract.
Be sure to look across the street from the front of Elaine’s home to view the lovely waterfall and Shellabarger Creek.
Ed and Joanne Hedges have made many changes to their home and yard over the past 57 years. During the raising of children and two German Shepherds, much of the yard had been devoted to play space and family entertainment. In 2010 the front yard experienced a complete makeover when its lawn was removed to make way for flower beds and a two-ton “sitting rock.” Ed and Joanne’s son installed its stone pathways. Other features are in the back yard, including a sport court and a flagstone patio and walkway.
Most recently, they have built raised beds for vegetables on the west side with a watering system that can be controlled for each bed. The planters are tall enough to easily maintain the plants they contain. This significantly minimizes work involved, and the Hedges enjoy incorporating fresh produce into their meals.
Both enjoy the exercise of gardening, followed by relaxing around their firepit in its peaceful, private setting, listening to the sounds of flowing water. They have utilized the chance to experiment with new plants and color schemes and this year the garden displays over 1,000 new annuals and perennials, in addition to existing plants, giving them information to consider for next year’s planting. Tropical colors are favored, accented with cooler shades and all complemented by evergreens. There is also a display of tea and climbing roses, David Austin shrub roses and others.
When Jintana and Eddie Wongvanit moved into their home 17 years ago, the yard was nothing but lawn and rhododendrons. Over time, they have worked to make it their own. The garden now features a lovely waterfall with tropical plantings. Both Mediterranean and Japanese influences can also be seen throughout.
Jintana’s passion for design and planting, beginning with her father in Thailand, has now fully ignited. Sometimes she lies awake at night, receiving her next design vision, then can’t wait to get outside when she awakes, turning her vision to life. She finds excitement working in her garden, and at the same time it calms her, a perfect prescription for well-being.
Eddie contributes through offering encouragement and also enjoys plant shopping with Jintana, where they buy what they love without thought of style or utility. Then Jintana puts her artistry into play. The couple loves to entertain on their patio and outdoor di
Since moving to her home in 2017, Alicia Rivera has completely transformed both house and garden. She has designed and planted the garden herself in this short time, which had formerly been populated by overgrown shrubs, weeds and patchy grass, into a magical celebration of color, texture and form. The project also sustained her own transition when her daughter left for college. Her daughter had worked along with her in previous gardens, the two of them creating what Alicia calls garden magic. Here, they’ve strewn sparkly glass into the pathways, reminding us that gardens are fun, whimsical, magical places to be.
Alicia’s former experience with gardening in California led her to appreciate more waterwise plantings, and she has entirely removed the property’s front and side lawns. You’ll see quite a variety of plants, featuring Japanese maples, lilacs, lavenders and roses. Alicia describes her style as a hybrid of California meets English cottage garden with Pacific Northwest aesthetics.
Also important is what she calls the inside out lifestyle. She has created multiple spaces, in addition to decks and patios, for congregating with friends, family and neighbors outdoors as well as viewing the gardens. Another feature to note is her She-shed, a unique creation cleverly constructed from mostly reclaimed materials.
Alicia enjoys both the creativity and physicality that her gardens have required. Her work has attracted the attention as well as admiration of neighbors, sometimes jokingly referring to her as “the beast” in observing her laborious efforts.
The Taylor Garden provides a journey into serenity. Designed with an artist’s eye into various rooms, this garden invites exploration. An Asian element clearly pervades, evidenced not only by the abundance of Japanese maples, conifers and rock work, but also in the feeling conveyed, the play of light and shadow along pathways in a breeze through leaf canopies above, the sound of water falling over rocks, fish breaking the surface of its ponds.
This Asian sense appears to reflect both Bill’s and Pat’s involvement with the expanding SE Asia Foundation, which has become a focus of their lives, beginning with an eye-opening Indonesian vacation in 2005, which exposed them to the living situations of underprivileged girls. They are working toward providing education for girls now in Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, more recently granting farm loans and Covid relief by providing supplies and coaching for planting vegetable gardens.
Bill’s involvement in the garden’s design began a few years following purchase of the home in 1992.The garden was featured in two previous tours, and since then much of his time has been spent away from the garden travelling in Southeast Asia for the foundation. With a wry grin, Bill describes his garden maintenance style preceding the first tour as anal, the second meticulous, and for the tour you’re viewing now, pretty good. But we doubt you will agree.
A master gardener with a profound respect for nature, Bill has learned to appreciate some of the volunteers that have requested a presence in the garden. He’s watched the landscape mature, trees sometimes outgrowing their allotted spaces, understories diminishing. But the effect he’s achieved is one of perfect harmony.
Other features not to be missed are the whimsical Hobbit House and masterfully designed compost bin system within the lush vegetable gardens. A lovely deck overlooks the waterfall, where both enjoy entertaining. One of Bill’s favorite retreats is a teak bench at the secluded base of the pond where he might sip on a beer as he watches the fish.
Blackberry brambles and tenacious ivy greeted Katy Levenhagen and John Breummer when they moved into their home 21 years ago, though you would never guess that now in this well-loved, well-tended garden. You’ll see a gardener’s retreat which appears to have been designed for people with its lovely planting arrangements, garden art and various gathering spaces, but the birds would disagree. One of Katy’s goals was attracting birds to her garden, and she has been successful.
The garden now reflects Katy’s own evolution as a gardener. She’s designed a series of interconnected spaces in an eclectic Northwest style, inspired by ideas from other gardens (of note, including previous Edmonds in Bloom tour gardens), her own prolific imagination, and discussions with neighbor Andrea Bacik.
Katy has applied lessons learned to incorporate more color, texture, bird appeal, winter interest and an overall sense of unity. Note the inlaid mosaics along the garden’s pathways and wine garden with its handmade chairs toward the top of the garden’s slope, perfectly positioned for waving to neighbors out taking walks or checking their mail, as well as other more private gathering spaces.
It’s a garden for birds, for gathering and entertaining and for contemplation throughout the year. Says Katy, “Even when tiny sprouts and other signs of life are still hidden under leaves and snow, the flicking tail of the winter wren crouching by the brown sedum, and the yellow and brown stems and dried flowers cascading over the hills and dips remind me that nature is worth waking up to.”
Garden Tour 2020
The 2020 Garden Tour was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Garden Tour 2019
The Goodmansens’ garden began even before Kelly was born when her parents moved into the home in 1974. As Kelly grew up there, “Gardening was just something we did,” she says. As an adult, following experience working in garden centers, she became interested in design, and when she moved back in six years ago, she put her talents to work, rethinking the landscape’s design.
She and her mom, Georgia, continue to enjoy working on their landscape together along with their dogs, who like to participate by hunting for bugs. Kelly and Georgia plant what they like without regard to theme, creating a lovely effect in their lush borders. Don’t miss their rain garden in the back yard and dwarf redwood specimen on the patio, which is a particular favorite.
Sarah and Michael Macquarrie’s garden began 24 years ago when they purchased the property and continues to evolve each year. At first the garden consisted entirely of grass. They’ve since planted and constructed everything you’ll see today.
While country style can be seen as a strong influence in their garden’s design, they felt unconstrained in incorporating “anything that brings us joy.” And joy you will find here, a celebration of variety and lushness, that Sarah and Michael have made uniquely their own.
Of the many inspired spaces you’ll see here, don’t miss their latest creation, the aviary, which houses four doves and two pheasants. There’s also a lovely pond in the backyard, constructed entirely by Michael.
“The thing I love most about my garden is that it totally relaxes me and I love to see the beauty of all that grows around me,” says Sarah. She especially enjoys sitting in the bird aviary with a cup of tea, listening to the gentle cooing of the doves.
There’s a magical quality to the Kutays’ garden which you’ll experience on your stroll down Penny Lane. There’s some lovely work with rock and stone to be seen, interesting garden art and statuary, and striking use of color and contrast.
A dry streambed greets you at the street’s entrance, and note the elegant arrangement at the entrance to the home, highlighting a rock column water feature. You’ll pass raised vegetable beds on your way to the home’s back deck, an entertainer’s paradise. Lovely planters abound, which Anne has designed
in conjunction with Linda Leonard of designsbyLinda. The wooden arch there was created for their daughter’s wedding. The wooden heart suspended from the arch, as well as other wooden hearts to be found throughout the landscape, were created by Tuesday Sand Art.
A wooded area appears beyond the deck with a path leading through it. Off to the side, a stairway takes you down to a ravine, where you’ll see a streambed adorned with a colorful wall of plantings on the slope above. Beyond is another wooded area containing a firepit gathering space. From here, glance up at the fence which runs along the neighboring property and note the unusual notching at the top, mimicking the shape of conifers.
In Anne’s own words, she describes her garden as a cross between Bohemian Rhapsody and Love Actually, and you’ll just have to experience it to find out what she means
In 2016 Michael Hrankowski and David Brown purchased their midcentury home, in much need of renovation, situated within a virtual jungle of an overgrown yard. Immediately, they got to work, first focusing on the home renovation and then the garden. Combining their artistic talents with sheer brawn, they’ve created a stunning space, redesigned from the inside out, reflecting their own aesthetic as well as complementing the architecture of the home.
From the sea of blue fescue that greets you at the home’s entrance to the backyard’s enveloping warmth–and providing many moments of pause along the way – this garden is a marvel of architectural inspiration. And as a further marvel to consider, the entire hardscape and plantings are just a little over one year old.
But that’s not the only reason to see this garden. They’ve incorporated a noteworthy mix as well as volume of plantings (over 900 plants—and counting), including natives and edibles, as well as some dwarf conifer specimens you may not have encountered before . There’s also an eco-lawn incorporating short wildflowers, designed for the choice of mowing—or not.
The cheerful garden of Sharon and Oliver Stout greets you with an abundance of plant varieties and features. In its sunny front you’ll see a greenhouse and patio seating as well as ornamental beds, vegetable and berry patches.
The shady backyard is a wildlife sanctuary. A big-leaf maple towers overhead with various Japanese maples beneath. Other featured plantings are natives, hardy fuchsias, ferns and meadow rue. An abundance of container plantings is also situated throughout. A deck overlooks the serene setting with other private seating areas tucked away.
Sharon and Oliver began gardening together here in 1989. Then a home renovation in 2007 led them to redesign. Sharon chose the plantings, with Oliver providing much of the brawn. Their son constructed the driftwood gazebo nestled into a corner of the backyard, and he also built the trellises that flank the deck. Oliver had previously built the garden shed.
Sharon enjoys repurposing materials. She created the front garden’s birdbath from garage sale finds and seashells, and a backyard arbor of awning supports from a former patio. You’ll see more examples of her work throughout as well as other unusual garden art finds.
This garden has clearly evolved over time, providing artful placement of a wide variety of plants and features, many places to explore and lots of entertainment along the way.
A marvel of design on a small urban lot, Cyndi and Rick Tomkins’ garden offers something for everyone, featuring spaces for entertaining, relaxing and growing food, as well as play areas for children and a dog run.
The home itself has seen many incarnations, having previously been a doll store, family home and rental. Its present garden began with defining the front yard from nearby high-volume use areas, its front fence designed to mimic the columns, railings and pickets in the home’s entry.
The remainder of the garden came together over five years. It incorporates vertical as well as horizontal plantings, thus maximizing space, and features a water fountain, raised beds, a deck, areas for private conversations and a shaded children’s play area.
This garden demonstrates not only how much can be accomplished within a small yard, but also how to maintain privacy and mitigate noise in an active environment, creating a sanctuary within.
Musicians Artists
David Little, keyboard Lonni Flowers
Marian Sussman, harp Janet Hawse
Ashley Webster, keyboard Joyce Donaldson
David Locke, accordion Cheryl Hufnagel
Celeste Duo: Coleen Latimer
- Carolyn LaNasa, cello Diann Kincaid
- Lyn Fulkerson, cello
Scott Lindenmuth, guitar
Garden Tour 2018
The 2018 Garden Tour was a fabulous success, with over 700 attendees and seven wonderful gardens filled with inspiration. The sun was shining, live music drifted through the gardens, plein air painters captured the scene, and smiles were everywhere.
The Garden Tour featured seven private gardens; six in Edmonds, and one in Woodway. Gardens ranged from professionally designed and installed properties to hands-on, DIY creations that truly showcase the owner’s personality and hard work. From a gracious 10-acre estate to an extraordinary collection of hostas, from urban spaces that maximize each square foot to a rambling bit of country in the heart of the city, this year’s tour was bursting with variety, beauty, creativity and imagination.
Edmonds in Bloom would like to thank all of our marvelous volunteers – garden docents, traffic guides, and more – who made this fun day possible. We would also like to thank the garden owners who opened their gardens to the public – you were all such gracious hosts! And finally, a big thank you to the over 700 garden enthusiasts who joined us for such a delightful day.
Start with a typical Edmonds suburban yard: lots of lawn and Douglas firs. Add an enthusiastic couple with wheelbarrow-loads of energy, vision, and a whole lot of hard work, and what do you get? In the case of Deborah Binder and Gaetan Welleux: transformation!
Deborah and Gaetan began creating their garden in 2011. First to go was the front lawn – now replaced by a lavish garden of perennials and edibles, framed by low-maintenance gravel pathways. A Little Free Library welcomes the neighborhood onto the property. In the back, they have added more perennials, an extensive vegetable garden, and a berry garden featuring heritage raspberry plants over 40 years old, with original canes from Gaetan’s childhood home in Connecticut. Clever protective fencing keeps their beloved dogs on the lawn and out of the garden.
Hardscaping was all done by the homeowners, including the round stone patio with fire pit and a charming garden shed crafted from almost 90% recycled materials. A towering 100-year old oak tree provides shade during the hottest summer months, and is cared for by a certified arborist. Eclectic garden art is featured throughout the garden, including a stone sculpture by artist Robert Walker and a wind sculpture by artist Lyman Whitaker, as well as pieces from a variety of local artists.
In a region growing and changing as fast as ours, sometimes it’s heartening to see redevelopment done right. Such is the case with Adam and Whitney Cornell, who purchased a crumbling 100-year old home in the heart of Edmonds in 2003. After living in it for 5 years, they decided to raze it and build something new – with the intention of creating a home and gardens that would fit in with the existing neighborhood in size and scale, and that would enhance the connection between residents and neighbors.
The gardens were professionally designed to provide privacy in a busy neighborhood setting, while also being inviting to people approaching the property or simply passing by on the street. The front gardens were installed in 2009 and 2011, and feature whimsical mixed perennial borders, chosen to provide year-round interest and color. The west patio and plantings were installed in 2016, and vegetable boxes, plus edibles and a cutting garden were added in 2017. Every inch of the compact city lot brims with foliage, color, and interest.
Adam and Whitney tend the garden themselves, with an annual professional design consultation to edit or add elements. All irrigation is done by hand – a meditative chore the couple enjoys. Both find time working in the garden to be a restorative pursuit, as well as a surprisingly social one. Time is often spent fielding questions about the names of different plants in the garden, particularly the year they planted 40 Globemaster allium, which all bloomed during the Edmonds Arts Festival and caused quite the stir!
Making a big impact in a relatively small space – that is the essence of the Mathew garden. Located on a well-travelled street in the heart of downtown Edmonds, this four-year old organic garden has been carefully designed and planted to maximize every square inch of the compact city lot. From front to back, it is filled with greenery, color, texture and movement that can be enjoyed both from within and outside of the house.
The front yard is planted with shrubs, grasses, and strategically placed rocks for a natural, low-maintenance landscape that offers privacy for the homeowners and curb appeal to passers-by. The back yard is a working garden, with berry bushes and fruit trees, including fig and persimmon varieties, which seem to thrive in the sunny, south-facing backyard. Unusual corten steel planters, which are extremely long-lasting and will slowly oxidize over time for unique beauty, are used to create effective raised beds for an array of vegetables.
The most prominent feature of the garden is the modern entertaining patio, which connects front and back, and showcases a dramatic fire globe designed by artist Melissa Crisp. This focal point is strategically placed for enjoyment both indoors and out and is also the source of many a curbside conversation.
Meeting Kelsey Woodson and her husband is like walking into an HGTV show. When not working their day jobs, getting married, or remodeling their home, you’ll find them out in the garden, planting some of their 450 different plant varieties, pouring concrete for a Mediterranean courtyard, developing paths leading from one space to another, installing arbors… well, you get the idea. The energy and enthusiasm of this couple is matched only by the beauty and innovation of their garden.
When the Woodsons purchased their mid-century fixer-upper four years ago, literally nothing was in the yard except a few key trees, which they kept. Having decided to make their new home the venue for their upcoming wedding, the Woodsons set to work, designing, planting and building everything themselves – from the scenic garden spot overlooking Shell Creek where they said their vows, to the lavish outdoor bar and lounge space for the reception.
Currently, the Woodsons are remodeling a deck area to incorporate two large palm trees, and completing a courtyard upgrade with raised beds, built-in seating, and a tall Spanish fountain. Other garden highlights include a fabulous greenhouse with cantilevered deck overlooking Shell Creek, custom ironwork arbors (courtesy of Kelsey’s welder dad), and a giant fire bowl with surround seating. Unusual plants abound, including a Chinese Mayapple, Japanese Emperor Oak, ground orchids, Flying Dragon Bitter Orange, Twisty Baby Black Locusts, Japanese maples and more. Kelsey’s favorite spot is the entry courtyard, a lush foliage tapestry beneath a mature weeping beech tree, which she likens to being in an entirely green room.
The Woodsons prefer the rare, strange and unusual, and repurpose many unique salvage pieces throughout. The entire garden is organic.
Given a yard of deep shade, surrounded by tall cedar, fir, and rhododendron trees, Judy Petersen might have given up any gardening dreams she ever had. Instead, Judy found the perfect partner for her endeavors – the hardworking hosta – and created a rich, dark, lush retreat of infinite variation on a singular theme.
Judy began her hosta garden 18 years ago with just a few plants. Due to the aggressive root system of the existing trees, almost her entire garden grows above ground in pots. As the years passed and the hostas thrived, Judy added more and more plants, creating separate growing areas including a Secret Garden nestled amid tall rhododendrons, a festive private social area in back, and several fairy gardens with tiny hostas and ferns. Today, she has over 600 different plants, ranging from minis measuring only a few inches to large plants more than five feet across. Leaves showcase a tapestry of color, texture and shape, with a surprising blend of green, yellow and blue hues in unlimited combinations. Judy uses lights, mirrors and garden art to illuminate and accent her landscape, and an extensive drip irrigation system to keep her plants happy year round.
Since they are in pots, Judy finds it fairly easy to move her plants around to improve their growth and artistic balance. She keeps track of each plant’s specific soil, light, and exposure preferences, and tries to use environmentally friendly methods to defeat the slugs. Most of all, Judy enjoys the sense of peace and connection with nature that she finds in her garden.
A little bit of country in the heart of Edmonds – that’s the rambling half-acre garden of Cathi Crollard. Perched on the edge of a small ravine, with the murmur of a lively little stream that runs alongside, Cathi’s garden gracefully intermingles both tended and natural landscapes, creating an urban garden that’s just a little bit wild.
A newcomer to gardening, Cathi took on the previously neglected property four years ago, stripping out loads of blackberry vines, ivy, weeds and grasses before she could even begin on the fun part. Since then, she has planted a wide range of plants that offer a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures for visual interest, including two rose gardens with about 35 roses. In the spring, billowy clusters of daffodils tumble down the edge of the ravine, extending the garden into nature. A vegetable garden with raised beds is currently in the works. And year round, dry river beds, rusted garden art, small statues, and a collection of petrified wood, crystals and agates keep things interesting.
Cathi loves living in the heart of Edmonds, yet feeling like she has her own private country retreat. She says, “I enjoy the peacefulness of being in the yard with the birds chirping, hummingbirds feeding, my three dogs playing, and the sound of the creek.” Living so near a stream, Cathi tries to keep her garden mostly organic.
This year, the Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tour is delighted to offer rare access to the Echelbarger Garden, a historic ten-acre waterfront estate on the bluffs overlooking Puget Sound. The remarkable French Tudor home was built in the 1928-29, and the original garden was designed and planted. Over the ensuing 90 years, the garden has grown and evolved to reflect ever-changing trends and interests in gardening, while bring beauty and seclusion into the lives of its owners.
Currently, the estate features several different garden spaces, each with its own unique beauty. The Japanese Garden was originally designed and planted by a professional from Japan. A generous cutting garden provides fresh flowers for the house, and Carolyn can often be found here, spending time amidst her blooms. A large koi pond is wrapped in lavish planting beds and showcases a water statue of the Greek god Pan. Planting beds along the bluff have recently been redone. Distinctive structures in the garden include a gazebo and a greenhouse.
Musicians Artists
Enrique Henao, guitar Elena Balekha
David Little, keyboard Lonni Flowers
Marian Sussman, harp Angela Bandurka
Ashley Webster, keyboard Eden Hopkins
David Locke, accordion Marsha Lippert
Celeste Trio: Lena Leitzke
- Carolyn LaNasa, cello Diann Kincaid
- Marilyn Swanson, flute
- Lexie Merritt, flute
Clif & Nelda's little Big Band:
- Nelda, keyboard
- Clif, trombone and percussion
Garden Tour 2017
Musicians Artists
Mara Grey, harp Joyce Donaldson
David Little, keyboard Loni Flowers
Marian Sussman, harp Jackie Gilbert
Ashley Webster, keyboard Janet Haas
Celeste Trio: Lena Leitzke
- Carolyn LaNasa, cello
- Marilyn Swanson
- Denise Schwedhelm, 2nd flute
Garden Tour 2016
The Dahlberg garden began in Wingate 18 years ago as a dark forest on a hillside. Dale and Sandy began remodeling the garden even before they remodeled the house — and their design is always growing and changing. After removing 26 trees, building a garden wall at the bottom, and backfilling, the Dahlberges were able to create level lawn areas and shade gardens. Rock walls along the perimeter were built and backfilled to create the sun borders. Dale built a koi pong and waterfall, which eventually led to two koi ponds, a mermaid fountain point, and an urn fountain for the hummingbirds bathe in and drink.
Both sun and shade gardens include perennials, some introduced by Dan Hinkley, plus annuals and trees, including various fruit trees and the Dahlberg’s favorite: the Eskimo Sunset Maple. Treasured flowers include hollyhocks and lilies, plus more than 100 trilliums in the spring.
Sandy’s unrestrained enthusiasm for gardening means that new plants and art are always finding their way to the Dahlbergs. The terraced landscape is accented with Sandy’s own glass garden art, as well as that of other artists, creating year-round color even when Mother Nature takes a rest.
Created as a sanctuary, the garden was designed to be self-sustaining and low maintenance. The owners use good soil and top-dress the beds, so there is little need for fertilizer.
Creating a surprise sanctuary in the heart of Edmonds — this was the inspiration for Tina Forsters’ remarkable seven-year transformation of her garden on Sound View Place. The former ‘fishbowl’ back yard is now an intimate getaway, designed to dazzle the eye with lavish color and enchant the fortunate visitor with its secluded privacy.
Tina’s front garden is well-organized and rather formal in feeling. Mass plantings of peonies along the front and south side of the house are breathtaking when in bloom. the garden in back is a lesson in maximizing a relatively small space, creating privacy adding color and the sound of water. Tina enjoys mixing different flowers and plants together, and always strives for perfection. Highlights include her collection of Hinoki cypress and her brilliant flowering pots.
Rain gardens are a smart and proven way of using landscaping to : beautify and improve homes and neighborhoods, reduce flooding, clean our waterways protect natural habitats, and save millions of dollars in pollution clean-up. Rain gardens are designed to slow, filter, and absorb runoff from roofs or pavement, keeping it from becoming water pollution.
In October 2015, the City of Edmonds partnered with the Snohomish Conservation District and Washington Snohomish County Extension Master Gardeners to insall a rain garden cluster in the Seaview neighborhood. This was a kickoff event to promote the use of rain gardens in the city. These rain gardents will help decrease stormwater runoff pollution in nearby Perrinville Creek
“The rain garden has been wonderful for our birds! We have numerous Black Capped Chickadees, several Red Breasted Nuthatches, Steller’s Jays, Juncos, and the odd Rufous Sided Towhee! Also, Crows!! It has been a delight to see them rustle around the rain garden.” – Dan Wilson, Rain Garden Recipient.
The graciousness of historic Edmonds. A kiss of salt spray. Heritage plantings, a glimpse of raven’s wing, and a joyous riot of nasturtiums. It all adds up to the inviting garden of John and Shirley Pauls.
Built in 1906, “Old Yeller” was purchased by the Pauls in 1975. They replaced lawn with easy-to-maintain, native shrubs. Sword ferns and hardy fuchsias are divided descendants of ones given by Rosemary Wells (the Wells House on 2nd and Edmonds), who also gave John and Shirley their first rhododendrons. The Pauls favor old styles such as nasturtiums and dahlias, Edmonds’ official flower. The home’s heritage lives on in its generous kitchen gardens and huge 80-year-old English Walnut. Historic photographs will be on display.
The south garden has a celestial theme. The armillary (sun dial) was brought back from Sweden in Shirley’s carry-on-luggage, and yes, it tells the correct time. Ironically, John sets it with his Iphone!
The cottage, built as a woodshed in 1910, features a shade garden under the walnut tree, and a sunny English-sty;e garden along the south facade. Be sure to take note of the Paul’s homage to the raven.
The Pauls’ homage waterfront location means that Puget Sound winds and sea salt present special challenges in the garden., Close proximity to the water also reminds the Pauls to be careful stewards of the land, and to eliminated synthetic pesticides and fertilizer.
After 20 years as top rose exhibitors, certified consulting Rosarians and rose judges, it comes as no surprise that the Holdren/Gold garden featurs a dazzling rose garden, with 25 of Bob and Cynthia’s favorites from the more than 750 roses they have grown. But this garden offers so much more!
The front yard showcases a rich collage of shape, color, and texture, featuring a collection of dwarf specimen trees and shrubs, punctuated by the sparkle of a contemporary foutain. Cynthia and Bob especially enjoy guiding their plants to create beautiful shapes.
The rear garden is on two levels, joined by stairs. Here, Japanese maples, conifers, annuals and perennials create a beautifyl, private retreat. Cynthia an Bob’s collection of garden art — both serious and whimsical — is placed throughout to delight the eye.,
Other highlights of this garden include the unusual ‘Fireworks’ alliums and a spectacular collection of lilies. There will also be access to the upper deck, which offers a breathtaking view of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
Coming from a large farming family in Peru, Yesenia Carroll is carrying on her family’s tradition of caring for the land here in Edmonds. Since 2012, the Carrolls have replaced their lawn with a lush organic bounty of vegetables, fruits, berries, and flowers. The garden wraps their home in peace and tranquility, and provides Yesenia with solace from our grey Northwest weather.
The front yard features two large raised beds and a variety of pots, holding blueberries, strawberries and more. A clematis-covered arbor adds height and interest, while the fountain at the center fills the air with the splash and gurgle of water.
Stroll through the gate and along a gravel path from the front yard to the back. A large and lavish wisteria along the west side of the home garners much attention when it is in bloom. The side yard includes hydrangeas, dahlias, sunflowers, raspberries, and a wide variety of groundcovers.
The back yard is anchored be a spacious brick patio, surrounded by hydrangeas, hostas, tomatoes, and a host of flowering pots. A fig tree and three clematis arbors add to the sense of privacy. The chicken coop is currently uninhabited.
The Carrolls use primarily organic fish fertilizer and their own homemade compost. Compost cylinders are locate on the west sided of the garden.
Musicians
Mara Grey, harp
David Little, keyboard
Marian Sussman, harp
Ashley Webster, keyboard
Celeste Trio:
- Carolyn LaNasa, cello
- Marilyn Swanson
- Denise Schwedhelm, 2nd flute
Garden Tour 2015
Don and Lili think of their garden as an “eclectic collection and bird haven.” It is,
indeed, a very personal garden, designed over many years based on Don and Lili’s
personal favorites. Don has built every structure in the garden, including the raised
beds, handcrafted greenhouse, gate, and pergola.
Don has been tending his garden since the late 1970s. Lili joined him 21 years
ago. Don has always gardened, but retirement gave him time to really develop the
landscape. Every year there are new plants and new ideas, and somehow the Halls
manage to find space to fit them in.
Don and Lili feel the best part of working in the garden is seeing it flourish and
then thinking about what to do with it next. Lili loves the surprise of finding a plant
they thought they lost peeking through the soil.
A special feature nestled in the corner of this garden is a bird sanctuary, which provides year round food and shelter, as well as nesting materials in the spring. Don and Lili have planted native plants and there are plenty of tree branches for perching. Don’s favorite area of the garden is his primrose garden featuring some rare varieties. They also really enjoy their succulent garden, rock garden, and the apple tree that has three varieties
Pam’s garden is a labor of love. Following a personal tragedy in 1994, Pam and her daughter, Courtney, removed the original garden plantings down to a blank slate. What started out as simply a project became so much more. Pam found that gardening was a way to console and heal and it has been her passion ever since.
The front yard is a special spot where visitors are encouraged to stop and sit. It is often referred to as a “secret garden” because when the plantings are in full bloom, it is screened from the street. A 100-year old cedar provides ample shade. Natural plantings, singing birds, and a water feature provide a relaxing setting.
The Murdochs’ garden was created for seasonal interest. The bones of the garden are evergreens, interplanted with shrubs, plants and trees. Despite having only filtered sunlight in the garden, they have many flowering shrubs and plants. Jeff and Pam have forty peonies, some quite rare, that are Pam’s pride and joy. There are also delightful surprises around each turn: garden art, birdbaths, fountains, and vintage
finds that have been repurposed into useful pieces.
This garden is a certified natural habitat and Jeff and Pam do not use chemicals, preferring natural remedies. They also keep the use of power tools to a minimum.
Hazel Miller Plaza had its ribbon cutting ceremony in June 2012. It is a central downtown gathering space with benches, a fountain, art installations, historical plaques,
and landscaped areas. Leashed dogs are allowed and there is a small stage where
summer concerts are held on Tuesdays at lunchtime and Thursday evenings.
Here’s the history of how Hazel Miller Plaza came about. In 1946 the property was a gas station and bus garage. In 1976, the gas station became a garden and Old Milltown was built, which is a retail complex of shops, galleries, and restaurants. In 2006, ownership of Old Milltown changed hands and redesign began. In 2008, the City of Edmonds purchased the land where Hazel Miller Plaza sits with the intent of preserving the central downtown open space for community use.
The City of Edmonds maintains the landscaped areas of Hazel Miller Plaza. Plantings include roses, echinacea, lilies, hardy geranium, salvia, and helianthemum.
Joyce likes to plant what she likes wherever there is a space. She has been doing just that since 2008, when she moved boxes of plants from her old garden to her new garden. Every year she cuts new beds so that she can buy more plants and add more yard art!
The garden on the south side is home to both sun and shade. The sunny part is filled with sun-loving perennials and the shady side is home to a hazelnut shell covered path that leads to a seating area under an old apple tree. The path is lined with hostas, ferns, oxalis, and hydrangeas. Fuchsia baskets hang from the limbs of the tree.
The south garden also is home to a row of raspberries and Joyce’s vegetable garden. Her favorite thing to grow is potatoes.
The rest of the garden is an eclectic mix. There is a section with native plants that Joyce calls the bird garden, a perennial section that was inspired by the book The Language of Flowers, and a new section Joyce has named the Beatrix Potter Garden, complete with a faux rabbit. The north side of the garden is shady, with bleeding hearts, Solomon Seal, ferns, and more hostas. At last count, Joyce has over seventy
hostas in her garden.
Believe it or not, Joyce likes to weed. She takes a look at a weed-infested section, frowns a bit, and then gets to work. She feels so satisfied when the job is done. Joyce feels the best gardening day is when it’s warm and sunny, there are weeds to pull, and the Mariners game is on the radio!
Colleen and Justin describe their garden simply as sentimental. Many of the plants are gifts or plantings received from family and friends. There are trees and roses planted in honor of special life moments. They have several peonies that are likely over sixty years old and are transplants from Justin’s great grandmother’s house in North Carolina. In addition, there are beautiful orange daylilies that originally came from Colleen’s grandmother’s yard in Illinois. The growth of the garden reminds Colleen and Justin of the cycle of life.
Colleen feels that you don’t have to spend much money to have a lovely and unique garden. Much of their landscaping and outside décor is created using castoffs or items purchased and up-cycled from yard sales or thrift stores. This gives a creative, one-of-a-kind feel to their garden.
For the past nineteen years, Colleen and Justin have been transforming their garden. Most recently, they added some small vegetable and herb gardens. Some of their favorite places in the garden are their wisteria covered arbor and their backyard outdoor fireplace. It’s a perfect place to make more memories.
Julaine describes her garden as an art-inspired backyard hideaway on a small urban lot. Her garden, which was originally a juniper bordered lawn from the street front to the back, has been transformed over the past fifteen years to have an interesting, colorful street appeal. There is a surprise backyard sanctuary that features plants in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures. There are water features, seating areas, art treasures, a fire pit, and an after-dark light display. Taking her living area to the outside, Julaine has a canopied patio living room surrounded by a beach, where shells, beach glass, and special rocks have been placed.
Julaine loves to be outdoors and spends as much time in her garden as she can. An art appreciator and collector, she enjoys the creative side of gardening and her plantings are driven by color, texture, and year-round visual interest. Rather than buying new, Juliane likes to reuse plants when she can by transplanting, dividing, and swapping with friends. She is always on the lookout for interesting objects to
place in her garden and has been known to “plant” stumps and dead tree branches to provide areas of interest. Julaine works by trial and error to make sure her garden is fairly easy to maintain and that all plants thrive on the same watering schedule. She maintains her garden by herself, with occasional help from her friends.
When Marni recreated her landscape in 2000, she wanted the garden to have a certain feel. She created a place of peace and serenity; a place that is soulful and feels like a little oasis, where she can be happy all times of the day. Marni decided on a tropical, Mediterranean “feel” with a bit of an Asian flare. She has planted hardy tropicals, many herbs and edibles, and there are little vistas and areas to enjoy. Water
is a very important feature in the garden.
With her love of cooking, Marni wants a garden that is free of chemicals and full of good, unusual, fun things to forage and eat. Some of the edibles she has planted are apples, squash vines, sweet potatoes, currants, peaches, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, herbs, bamboo shoots, kiwi, and figs. Marni is an artist and loves color, demonstrated by the use of sunset colors around the front patio. Marni and Phill’s favorite places in the garden are the bamboo garden, the two main water features, and the front lawn. They also enjoy plants with fragrance, such as honeysuckle, jasmine, and daphne.
Since Marni and Phill got married they have upgraded the water features in the garden and added an art studio with a lovely garden. They have also added lighting and more vignettes throughout the garden.
A little history of this property: the house was built in 1926 and was the original caretaker’s house for the Edmonds Nursery—also known as the Edmonds Arboretum. The column at the east end of 175th St SW was the original gate to the nursery. The carriage house used to be the gardener’s home.
Musicians
Mara Grey
David Little
Ashley Webster
Michael Martinez
David Locke
Marian Sussman
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Denise Schwehelm
Garden Tour 2014
This steep slope garden used to be full of topped and sheared fir and cedar trees, juniper, and scraggly ground covers. Since 1991, Jeanne Thorsen and Tom Mayer have been transforming their garden into one with diverse plantings, trying to achieve drifts and
swaths. They use many native and drought tolerant plants, working to integrate colors and textures on a large scale.
Over the years Jeanne and Tom have taken down trees, created paths that traverse the
hillside, brought in large rocks, hauled gravel, and laid compost. They have added an
amazing variety of plants: small conifers, nandina, oak leaf hydrangea, black-eyed Susans, Japanese and coral bark maples, and a number of grasses, to name a few. Thyme grows through the rockery, making the garden fragrant in the sun.
Jeanne and Tom enjoy being outdoors. They take delight in the new growth of their garden
and the surprise their garden brings with each season. They look for opportunities to edit the environment in ways that encourage birds, foster plant growth, and make them smile.
Before Chris retired, Tonnie insisted he find a hobby. They went to the 1993 Northwest
Flower and Garden Show and Chris was bit by the gardening bug. Chris took a class in
garden design at a local nursery later that year and drew up plans for their new garden. The central element of the 1993 design was a series of paths and rock features (which Chris moved himself) that were realized by bringing in over 50 tons of rock and gravel. The rocks, paths, two water features, and two stamped concrete patios give definition to a
number of small beds that feature a collection of plants from around the world.
There is a sense of the Northwest in Chris and Tonnie’s garden, achieved by combining
conifers, alpines, shrubs, and leafy perennials. Trees are one of Chris’s passions and he has searched for small cultivars of unique trees to maintain a scale suited to a suburban lot. The primary criteria used for plant selection was foliage, focusing on color, texture, and form.
A very unique feature of Chris and Tonnie’s garden is their French drain system. Like many Pacific Northwest gardens, they were experiencing large areas of standing water. To remedy their issue, Chris dug a 170-foot French drain around the house. It is disguised as the main path, with a top layer of crushed Montana river rock. A western red cedar,
standing over 100 feet tall, absorbs the rain water that is shunted away from the house into the drain. It can drink up to 250 gallons a day! It’s their natural sump pump!
Gardening takes Chris back to his childhood when his grandmother encouraged his interest in gardening. Chris and Tonnie’s goal is to create a quiet retreat for their enjoyment. They have succeeded, because guests often describe their garden as peaceful and serene.
Article on Wolfe's Garden
In the 4 years that Mark and Shelley have been in their Woodway home, they have done a tremendous amount of work to their woodland garden. The garden, once dominated by rotting creosote railroad ties, arbor vitae past their prime, large juniper, and years’ worth of accumulated spruce and cedar needles, has evolved, by happenstance, into a series of rooms. The rooms are accentuated by deodor cedars, spruce, mountain ash, hosta, ferns, with little pops of color here and there. Arbor vitae have been replaced with lattice fences,
the railroad ties have been dug out, and raised beds have been placed. There are gravel paths that wander the garden.
Mark and Shelley’s garden is incredibly quiet and peaceful, with a lot of birds, which Shelley likes to sit out on the patio and watch. The garden is an easy place to escape the rigors of the day. Mark enjoys combining the elements of texture, form, and color within the constraints of space, light, and water. He also really enjoys imposing order on chaos.
Mark has a weakness for Japanese maples. The very first item he planted after they moved into the home was Japanese maple “Sherwood Flame,” located near the swing in the back. Of notable mention is the stunning bamboo hedge that is along the east fence, which was planted about 10 years ago.
There is a touch of Italy in Edmonds! This Tuscan style home with its European garden sits on the shores of Puget Sound. Roger and Candace designed the garden to showcase the water view, provide entertaining areas, and create a sense of private space.
There are a variety of arbors, trellises, and walkways that enhance the garden’s beauty. A shell path leads to the beach. Another walkway is enveloped by a pergola, made from driftwood from private tidelands, which is covered with grapevines and locks—one lock for every year Roger and Candace have been married.
With an unobstructed view of Edmonds’ spectacular sunsets, Roger and Candace have created two dining areas. Each dining area is covered by a wrought iron trellis and
decorated with a French chandelier for ambience.
Roger and Candace have a gratitude hammock tucked away under one of the decks. Surrounded by a variety of fragrant plants, such as lavender and sage, they are invited to rest quietly. It is used frequently, usually accompanied by Kobe, the family Golden Retriever.
Be sure to see the home’s entrance, which is graced by an antique wrought iron gate, water feature, a quaint dining area, and a mature espaliered olive tree.
Sam is an artist who designs much of her garden from inside her home. There are many
large, low windows in the house, each with a view of a garden area that has been designed
to be enjoyed inside, as well as outside. Sam feels it’s a way to be in the garden even when
indoors.
This artsy and whimsical garden is full of abundant blossoms. Sam gravitates towards
plants that flower all season—dahlias, geraniums, fuchsias, lantana, Italian petunias,—as well as some with shorter bloom, such as peonies, clematis, wisteria, and dogwood.
Her favorite plants are those with lots of texture, color, and unique shape, like heuchera, Japanese painted black fern, black mondo grass, and succulent ground covers. Much of the art in the garden is handmade and has been collected over the years. Sam feels that gardening nourishes her. She enjoys creating beauty and digging in the soil, and witnessing the evolution of the garden—how it changes and becomes richer with time.
Sam feels gardening parallels the process of personal growth—knowing one’s self and when to push and when to let go. She also enjoys gardening with her granddaughter, who planted her own Fairy Garden pot, where fairies have been seen sprinkling pixie dust on her beautiful blossoms.
Three Graces refers to the three Greek goddesses of beauty, charm, and creativity. Beauty for the art Heather and Todd collect for the garden, including a statue of the Three Graces in the Studio Garden; charm for the touches of whimsy thrown in; and creativity for both the visual color echoes Heather works in to achieve the garden’s design, as well as the substantial number of dye plants she incorporates into the garden design to use in her studio.
Heather and Todd started puttering around in their garden in 2001. In 2003 they started to
make some major changes by putting in the upper terrace garden. They added the lower
terrace in 2007, put in the Studio Garden in 2009, and created the Kitchen Garden in 2010, when Heather’s parents moved to live with them, and the Winter Garden just this spring.
Heather’s mother, Bertha Davis, has brought her Texas plant aesthetics and has begun to
reshape the upper terrace garden into a prairie design with sages, grasses, and other low water plants.
Three Graces Garden is really all about art. In addition to the vintage statue of the Three
Graces, there are two antique statues from an old home in New Orleans, numerous glass art
pieces, pottery birdhouses and wall tiles, and metal artwork. Heather is also an artist, who
dyes and prints silk with many of the plants from her garden. Some of the plants she uses
for dyes include sumac, salal, bracken, smokebush, heuchera, maple, hardy geranium, rose, petunia, pansy, clematis, and annual geranium. Heather also has collections of Pacific Coast Native Iris and hardy lady slipper orchids in the Studio Garden.
In 1999, after Gail and Phil had razed and rebuilt their home, they started their garden
demolition. A pool in the back yard was imploded and concrete patios were broken up. Evidence of the patios is found in the steps to the lower side yard. Beds were developed in the back and side yards and a large rock fountain, which the birds love, was installed. In the spring of 2005, the remainder of the lawn was removed and paths, steps, and boulders were added to complete the bed areas. There is a small greenhouse in the back that winters over pots of tender plants (Gail’s gorgeous begonias) and provide shelter for seedlings in the spring.
Scale is very important to Gail and Phil, so that they do not block the view of the Sound and mountains from their home. They search for and plant smaller trees and shrubs, which
means that many of their plants are rare and unusual. It is also important for Gail to have
plants blooming throughout the year. They have over 60 varieties of hardy fuchsias,
numerous rhododendrons, and deciduous azaleas. Gail tends to gravitate towards
aubergine blooms and loves fragrance in the garden.
This sunny half-acre garden is a backyard wildlife sanctuary. Gail and Phil have set up a
bird feeding station that feeds numerous birds, such as flickers, finches, bushtits, and
hummingbirds. Gail’s favorite visitors are California quail, which come to visit daily. Gail
lights up when she sees them and often tells stories of the quail in her garden. They are
Gail’s quail.
Musicians
Bonnie Birch
Mara Grey
David Little
Ashley Webster
Zaldie Rogero
Natalie Skerlong
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2013
Karen describes her garden as “Pacific Northwest style with some Japanese
influence.” Gardening has been her hobby since she bought her house 23 years ago. Karen loves being outside, working with nature, and the challenge of making a beautiful and healthy garden 12 months of the year. She has been so successful attracting wildlife to her garden that the last two seasons she has found a small green frog and has observed the rarely witnessed mating ritual of hummingbirds.
The bones of Karen’s garden are small conifers and rhododendrons. As a
member of the Seattle Rhododendron Society, Karen greatly appreciates the varied size and leaf characteristics of species rhododendrons. There are also plenty of peonies, lilies, roses, hardy fuchsias, and hardy geraniums to provide summer color.
Karen has a love of bonsai, which she uses as focal points. She is particularly fond of her Japanese style bamboo gate, Japanese fountain, and antique Japanese fence sleeve and roof tile. Be on the lookout for her tree peony, gingko tree, and Rhododendron “Karen Swenson
It’s all about “healthy dirt” in this organic garden. Kirstie and Patrick spent a year amending their soil before planting. They moved to this home in 2009 with two trailers full of plants, dirt, rocks, and compost from their previous home. Not only did many of their plants come from their former garden,
many of the plantings are recycled from building sites where houses were being torn down and plants destroyed. These include the hydrangeas on the east side of the garden.
Kirstie and Patrick have an edible garden, a place where their children can learn about gardening. They want their kids to know that vegetables are gorgeous. Kirstie and Patrick built raised beds in 2010 and have been known to harvest 50 pounds of potatoes to get them through the winter. Their recent additions are the raspberries and blueberries.
Kirstie loves the smell of dirt and the calm of gardening allows her mind to wander. Her grandmother’s ferns and lilies from her mother’s garden hold special meaning. This is a gardening family, generation after generation.
Duane casually refers to himself as the “Hodgepodge Gardener.” His whimsical woodland garden has been evolving since 1970. Although Duane has been thinning plants to make his garden easier to maintain, there are still plenty of delights: many pieris (some quite large and sculpted), hebes, an
interesting two-variety laceleaf Japanese maple, a magnolia, strawberries, blueberries, along with a pergola.
In 2010, Duane installed a rain garden and a year later converted a dry creek bed into an area that helps manage rainwater. Some of his favorite areas are the hostas in planters on the north side of the garage, which he refers to as “Hosta Row,” the shade garden in the NW corner of the backyard, and the rain
gardens.
Duane is quite artistic. He creates pressed leaf sculptures that he has carefully
placed throughout his garden. He also has two mailboxes placed on posts in his garden—they are from his mother and daughter’s homes and he stores gardening tools in them. See what sort of fun you can find in his garden!
Forrest and Sandy’s motto for their eclectic garden is, “If it doesn’t look good—it’s gone.” That’s how they started 37 years ago by moving shrubs to a better spot, taking into consideration their size and future growth. Forrest and Sandy added rhododendrons and junipers, creating the evergreen structure of their garden. They plant to attract hummingbirds, have frilly ferns, and a massive blueberry bush.
One of the things Forrest and Sandy enjoy is finding unusual garden art. When they bring it home, they find a place in the garden where it will come alive. There are even faces on the trunks of the trees!
Forrest and Sandy enjoy sitting on the patio looking over their creation. Sandy has a special love for her rare hellebores , for growing tuberous begonias, and for the for 50 year-old bonsai plants passed down by her mother.
You may not have noticed the greenhouses and propagation house in City Park. Here’s some history: The City of Edmonds Beautification Program began in 1924 when the Edmonds Floretum Garden Club took the first steps to beautifying Main Street. The program was fully established by the City of
Edmonds Parks Department in the early 1970s. The Beautification Program has grown from a few small beds and a handful of hanging baskets to now boasting 162 flowerbeds and 148 baskets that decorate the core of our downtown.
Two full-time Parks staff oversee the design, the purchasing of plants and materials, plant installation, and the maintenance of the flower beds and hanging baskets. To accomplish this, the staff operates a propagation house, three greenhouses, and a cold frame, where they grow and maintain
the approximately 22,000 plants that are used in the program each year. On average, 20 percent of these plants are grown from seed. The staff also works with volunteer groups and up to three seasonal staff during the spring and summer months to help with the planting and maintenance of the beds and baskets.
Today, the City’s flower beds have a wide variety of plants that provide year round horticultural interest. This is done through the use of evergreens, grasses, early and late blooming perennials, and bulbs that help extend the color and interest of the summer annuals.
Sharon and Bill describe their garden as “an Asian/Pacific Northwest mix,“ designed to be peaceful and calm, with outdoor rooms that invite you to linger. They use the outdoor rooms at various times depending on the season and time of day.
Since starting the garden 22 years ago they have transformed their property. Bill, a craftsman, created all of the garden structures and hardscape. The Asian theme is evident in all of the details. There is a large gatehouse and the fencing and screenwalls are adorned with bamboo detailing. Brick and
stone paths have replaced a majority of the lawn. There are a number of water features throughout the garden, from containers to a large circular pond with a basalt column. Trellis and arbors provide scale to the garden.
Bill and Sharon have recently added over 30 hardy fuchsias. There are numerous varieties of bamboo, Japanese forest grass, Japanese maples, sedums, hebes, and hardy geraniums. They prefer keeping the garden itself in shades of green, with all of the color from annuals and perennials in pots on the deck and seating area. Bill and Sharon are trying to strategically incorporate art into the garden and recently commissioned an artist to create an entrance gate. This garden is also a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Bill and Sharon appreciate the solitude gardening brings. It makes them put everything in perspective. Sharon believes that, “Gardening is not for the impatient—that the plant you lust after will be the first to die.” She also loves lights and things that twinkle and sparkle.
Musicians
Mara Grey
David Little
David Locke
Ashley Webster
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2012
Musicians
Heidi Dunlap
Mara Grey
David Little
Ashley Webster
Justin Cromier
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2011
Musicians Artists
Josh Arcega Mary Anderson
Mara Grey Win Bainbridge
David Locke Pamela Harold
Ashley Webster
Justin Cormier
Clest Trio
Carolyn LaNasa
Marilyn Swanson
Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2010
Musicians Artists
Mara Grey Mary Anderson
Josh Arcega Win Bainbridge
Justin Cromier Pamela Harold
Nathan and Henry Sparks
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2009
Musicians
Sutton Avila
Celeste Trio
Justin Cormier
Mara Grey
Robin McCall
Ashley Webster
Garden Tour 2008
Musicians
Celeste
Chris Gross
Enrique
Mara Grey and Andrea McElwain
Mike Harline
Scott Lindenmuth
Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band
Garden Tour 2007
Musicians
Mike Harline
Robin McCall
Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band
Enrique
Mara Grey and Andrea McElwain
Scott Lindenmuth
Garden Tour 2006
Musicians:
Sweet Someones
Duo Doche
Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band
Enrique
Mara Grey and Andrea McElwain
Artists:
Kathy Walker Cecile Disenhouse
Mary Anderson Julie Scandora
Bonne AuBuchon Anne Moon
Peggy Jacobs Betty Bartlett
Ruth Handewith Clifford Burkey
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Edmonds, WA 98020
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