25+ Years of Gardens
Garden Tour 2022
Tour Highlights
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
Gifts to Garden Hosts
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
Thompson Garden
[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
Porter Garden
[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.
Laue Garden
[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
Luque Garden
[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
Dawson Garden
[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.
Kimbrough Garden
[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
Basile-Witt Garden
[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
Harter Garden
[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.
More about Garden Tour 2021
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.
Talbot Garden
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.
Hedges Garden
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.
Wongvanit Garden
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
Rivera Garden
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.
Taylor Garden
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.
Levenhagen & Breummer Garden
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
Goodmansens’ Garden
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.
Macquarrie’s Garden
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.
Kutays’ Garden
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
Hrankowski/Brown Garden
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.
Stout’s Garden
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.
Tomkins’ Garden
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.
More about Garden Tour 2018
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.
The Binder-Veilleux Garden
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.
The Cornell Garden
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!
The Mathew Garden
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.
The Woodson Garden
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.
The Petersen Garden
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.
The Crollard Dawson 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.
The Elchelbarger Garden
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
A notable highlight of the summer season, this year’s Garden Tour will not disappoint. The 2017 Garden Tour showcases five private gardens in the city of Edmonds. From a lavish new-construction garden to an older homestead, from a Northwest Asian-fusion oasis to an abundant collection of interconnected theme garden rooms, this year’s tour is filled with inspiration. In addition, we are honored to present the Chase Lake Elementary school garden – a refreshing new trend in education and gardening. This unique public/private partnership is one of the first in our area, and sure to be of interest. Gardens may not be ADA accessible.
Edmonds in Bloom is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
The Subcleff garden mixes past and present with joyous avandon. Owned by the Subcleff family since 1946, Sandy's mother-in-law Betty laid the groundwork, and most of her original pathways and beds are still in use today. Betty grew up on a farm in Illinois, and her love of chickens, vegetables and flowers still shines through.
Sandy and Carl took over 10 years ago, and added rock borders, rustic rebar arbors, a raspberry trellis, a retaining wall, and a dash of their own whimsical, colorful style to the garden. Sunny begs feature hardy fuchsias, iris, roses, azaleas and cotoneaster. Shady beds include skimmia, pieris, salal, sword ferns, hostas and rhodies. The property showcases many mature trees, from fir and cedar to fig and peach, plus an old native dogwood that gracefully shade a bed of Oregon grape and daphne, and a holly tree that Betty planted over 50 years ago. Special features include a small goldfish pond, a favorite of birds and raccoons. (Notice the small hobbit door that hides the pond cleanout drain!). Six hens currently reside in the old chicken house, and act as caretakers for the compost pile.
A woman of boundless energy and faith, Patty Joyner has created a garden as warm and welcoming as she is. A self-taught gardener, Patty's garden journey began 15 years ago. The majority of her perennial plants have been gifted to her, or divided from plants that she already has, multiplying like loaves and fishes over the years. The use of many of the same kinds of plants adds a sense of cohesive design to the overall abundance. Patty also accents her garden in the summer with a dazzling array of 150 pots overflowing with colorful annuals. Patty notes, "I see the glory of the Lord at work every time I'm in my yard!"
The front retaining wall was added two years ago, when the former grassy bank became too much work for her to mow. Patty proudly notes that she does all of her own planting, dividing, and maintaining of her garden on a daily basis. Special features include a striking water feature in the front, and a series of decks, seating areas, and hardscaping in the back, all of which add to the peaceful, comfortable feel of a garden that invites you to relax and linger.
This new garden, planted in 2015, was planted before construction began on the house, and is a tribute to Tony's Scottish mother Dorothy, who taught the couple everything they know about gardening. Although fairly small in footprint, the Griffins have packed it full of surprises and delights, from the serene Asian north garden to the playful garden railway and children's garden. The lavish planting of trees, including Midwinter Flame Dogwood, blossoming cherry, Persian Lace ironwood, five different Japanese maples and more, gives a sense of performance to this young garden. Over 15 different varieties of grasses add graceful movement. And hundreds of tulip and daffodil bulbs create a dazzling display each spring. All structural elements: fence, patios, retaining walls, pond, waterfall, and pergola were built by Griffins.
The Griffins find inspiration in the great plant varieties that grow so well in our temperate Northwest climate. They also find inspiration in Edmonds itself. As Kate notes, "What I like most about working in my garden is the ever-changing view. The flowers change, the colors change, the Puget Sound changes, and the mountains always put on a spectacular show."
School gardens are a refreshing new trend in education - and gardening. School gardens offer students hands-on opportunities to grow their own food, and to learn all sorts of science and life lessons along the way. Participants share in the harvest. And many school gardens become gathering places for the community as well.
The Chase Lake garden project started project started with principal Sean Silber. The school applied for grants from Snohomish Master Gardener Foundation, Edmonds in Bloom, Whole Foods, Cedar Grove, Lowes, and the Edmonds Rotary. With the help of Farmer Frog, a nonprofit organization that cultivates programs, school gardens, and hands-on learning for sustainable communities, Chase Lake school families and community volunteers worked together to build their garden. On March 12, 2016, they built 14 raised beds in a couple of hours, and students began planting a month later. Urban farmer Jessica Raav and coordinator Beth Black plan and deliver gardening lessons to the students throughout the school year. Local artist Mona Fairbanks has also led Art in the Garden lessons for students. And thanks to a generous grant form Edmonds Floretum, the school has hired a summer manager to maintain the garden, keeping it ready for the children to come back and get growing again.
Carolyn describes her garden as eclectic. Her friends say it's a Northwest garden with Asian flair. Either way, Carolyn's garden has been through a magical transformation in the 13 years she has been tending it. Originally a typical suburban yard with lots of grass and a few pine trees, the Brown garden now features ponds and waterfalls, Japanese maples, a fire pit, a greenhouse, bamboo, hostas, and an abundant vegetable garden.
The garden is alive with the sound and sparkle of water, from the large koi pond and waterfall in the back, to the multitudinous water features scattered throughout the garden. A wide variety of Japanese maples accent the design, and bold clumps of bamboo - from the Arrowhead cultivar in back to the dramatic Black bamboo in front - add privacy screening and visual interest. Much of the hardscaping was done by the owner and willing family and friends. This garden is its owner's own little oasis, where many a summer night has been spent sitting around the fire pit, roasting hot dogs, and enjoying the sound of water and rustle of bamboo.
Begin with a serene Japanese sensibility. Add a refreshing sens of American spontaneity, and mix in the gatherings of passionate plant hound. The result is Suzanne Juergensen's eclectic garden, which is actually a series of inerconnected theme gardens, all tied together with graceful curves and stone.
Suzanne's abundant design includes garden rooms for hummingbirds, dogs, the moon, scents, vegetables, herbs, woodland plants, and a cutting garden. The herb garden showcases remarkable variety, with multiple cultivars of mint, sage, oregano, and thyme, plus more unusual selections like betony, wasabi, and barage, as well as edible flowers. Favorite plants include the many mature trees, grasses and sedges, conifers, and waterwise flowers such as coneflowers and veronicas. The Ukigumo Japanese maple - with its lovely miniature form and nearly white leaves - is located at the base of the dog run, and is a particular favorite. This year's new undertaking? A miniature garden within the woodland area.
Husband Jess designed and installed the two beautiful water features, and maintains the many bird feeders and houses in the garden. The garden is entirely organic.
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
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.
The Forster Garden
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.
The Rain Garden Cluster
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 Pauls Garden
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.
The Holdren/Gold Garden
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.
The Carroll Garden
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
Hall’s Garden
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
Murdoch’s Garden
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
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.
Johnson’s Garden
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!
Bell’s Garden
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.
Fleetwood’s Garden
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.
Butler/Muir’s Garden
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
Thorsen/Mayer’s Garden
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.
Wolfe’s Garden
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
Dreyer/Green’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.
BelAir’s Garden
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.
Christiansen/Kandel’s Garden
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 Garden- The Skinners
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.
Lovell’s 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
Swenson’ Garden
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
Mulvilhill’s Garden
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.
Farmen’s Garden
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!
Nichols’ 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.
City of Edmonds Beautification Project
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.
Grader’s Garden
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
Toni says "that flowers make me happy." This is certainly demonstrated through the vibrant displays of flowers in Toni and Alan's garden. They are plentiful and enticing. Their flowers are accented by glass art that has thoughtfully been placed throughout the garden.
Toni and Alan have lovingly tended their garden for nearly six years. They have taken great care to preserve the natural beauty of their property, which has an intoxicating view of Puget Sound. One of their favorite places to relax is on the patio that looks over the Puget Sound, watching the ferries pass. They have a fountain gurgling in the courtyard that adds to the tranqulity of their garden.
Toni likes the peace and quiet of gardening -- and her tall, fragrant Casablanca lilies. Tey are her favorite flowers in the garden.
The Wildlife Habitat Native Plant Demonstration Garden was established in 2009. The garden was created to help educate local residents, businesses and students on the importance of how native plants and various garden design elements provide vital habitat for birds and other wildlife. This area of public land, previously covered in Himalayan blackberries and other invasive plants, has been transformed into an outdoor learning space. Two paths were created on the slope and emphasis was placed on planting native plants that create habitat for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, amphibians, birds and other native fauna. Consequently, there are bird nesting boxes, a hummingbird garden, a bee house and a bat box. There will be information tables set up with experts in different fields such as bees and native plants.
Some of the stunning native plants featured in this garden are Henderson's checkermallow, nodding onion, Oregon sunshine, Douglas' Iris, yellow monkey flower, Pacific aster, and blanketflower. This garden is completely maintained by volunteers. The garden shares a classroom space with the Edmonds Chapter of Trout Unlimited and conducts regular educational programs throughout the year.
Behind the garden gate, a surprise awaits! This hidden garden gem is truly paradise. From the colorful tropical plants to the gurgling fountain, Mike and Alice have created their version of Hawaii in their backyard.
It's hard to believe that Mike and Alice started from nearly bare earth only three short years ago. Their friend Lisa Prigmore helped to oversee the initial planting. The garden path meanders through tropicals, such as elephant ear, pink ginger, and canna, carefully mixed with the perennials we know here. Three structures and a fountain balance the garden nicely.
Mike and Alice winter over the tropical plants in the greenhouse, but they also start many annuals and perennials from seed. They enjoy the nurturing process of growing plants from seed and simply digging their hands in the dirt. They intentionally plant to attract as much wildlife as possible. Some of Mike and Alice's favorite plants are the red banana, trumpet flower, Dahlia "Pooh" and the roses. Enjoy a little slice of Aloha in this Edmonds oasis!
Although Nadeen has lived in her home for over 40 years, she really took up gardening only 15 years ago. She started by cleaning out ivy, taking out an old shed and removing a large fir tree. The remaining 18-foot-tall tree stump was turned into a totem pole which acts as a focal point of the garden. Other highlights are the bear to the right of the totem pole and Alfred, the gnome, who resides in the Elf Zone. Nadeen first began planting native plants, such as ferns and trillium, which thrive in her shady garden. She wants a little of everything when it comes to plants, and has hellebores, peonies, and hardy fuchsias, just to name a few.
Nadeen likes to develop various small gardens, some with sitting areas, such as the Fern Grotto, the Blue Area, the arm Area and of course the Elf Zone. She values the end result of her gardening and uses her garden as an extension of her living space, as a spot to relax and appreciate the beauty of nature. This garden is full of fun and whimsy with mirrored fireflies handing from the trees. Find a chair or bench and sit and enjoy.
In 2007, Oliver and Sharon's home remodel led to yet another project -- a garden remodel. In the front yard, they built raised beds overflowing with produce, a paver walkway and a patio. They also built a deck and installed pavers in the back. Since the initial remodel, they have added a Driftwood gazebo and bench, cedar trellises and four rain collection barrels.
The back garden is well established, with a 60-year-old large leaf maple, large cedars and hemlocks and 30-year-old rhododendrons. The large trees provide ample shade for numerous hardy fuchsias, and native plants, such as huckleberry, fern and salal. Golden hops are planted as pricacy screens. Oliver and Sharon have placed pieces of art throughout their nautical themed garden -- glass art, a bike, fountains and an iron arch made from old patio supports. Oliver and Sharon like to escape from the day-to-day grind in their garden. Their efforts are rewarded by natures beauty. They have created cozy sitting areas to enjoy their garden and invite you to do the same.
Welcome to Fuchsia Fantasyland! As members of the SnoKing Fuchsia Society, Ray and Dorothy have a dazzling assortment of fuchsias, but that's just the beginning. In their 5-year old garden, they also have planted hostas, dahlias, roses, begonias and potted geraniums.
Ray and Dorothy find it rewarding to start their garden from seedn and watch the plants mature into something beautiful that gives colorful blooms and delightful fragrance. They start their seeds in the greenhouse on the west side of the garden. Ray and Dorothy also have raised vegetable boxes on the west side of the garden.
The Andersons have a particular love for their brugmansia (trumpet flower), which they winter over in their greenhouse. It's 12" long fragrant blooms hang downward from the stem and ar very exotic looking. Ray and Dorothy strive to have a variety of colorful plants to enjoy. They most certainly have accomplished this. The colors in their garden make even the grayest day brighter.
This peaceful and artistic garden is a true treasure filled with many phenomenal features. From beautiful bamboo fences and arbors, to ponds and waterfalls, raised vegetable beds, bronzes placed in the garden, and the labyrinth, you can't help but feel a sense of tranquility here.
Since the beginning of their garden in 2008, David and Donna set out to create a haven where one could, with a sense of privacy, walk the labyrinth or simply sit on a bench and be alone. At the same time, they left areas along the fences where they could converse with the neighbors. They wnated to create a beautiful, as well as edible, backyard landscape.
David and Donna enjoy getting their hands in the dirt, entering a contemplative state as they listen to the birds and hear the water flowing in the water feature. They have some interesting plantings, such as curly locust and strawberry shrubs. Some of their favorites are bamboo, Manzanita and arbutus.
Come find your inner peace in this garden. Can you walk among the turnings of the labyrinth, lose trakc of direction and the outside world and quiet your mind?
Musicians
Heidi Dunlap
Mara Grey
David Little
Ashley Webster
Justin Cromier
Celeste Trio
- Carolyn LaNasa
- Marilyn Swanson
- Tiffany Wirt
Garden Tour 2011
Carolyn describes her garden as eclectic. Her friends say it's a "Northwest garden with Asian flare." Either way, Carolyn's garden has been through a magical transformation in the six years she has been tending it. It was orginally all grass with a few trees. Now, replacing the grass, there are ponds and waterfalls, Japanese maples, a fire pit, a greenhouse, clumps of bamboo, a hosta garden, and a vegetable garden.
There is a large Koi pond with a waterfall in the back garden. Planted behind it is Arrowhead Bamboo, one of Carolyn's favorite varieties. She also enjoys the black bamboo planted in the boxes in the front and her hosta garden.
Carolyn thinks of her garden as her own little oasis, where many a summer night has been spent sitting around the fire pit, enjoying the sound of the waterfall, roasting hot dogs and smores over the fire.
Ten years ago, Mary started working on her garden with big plans in mind, and rented a backhoe. The result was a lovely waterfall and pond and the beginning of a feast for your senses. In addition to the waterfall and pond, Mary has created many quiet places to sit, a hazelnut path, and a "cat walk," complete with grasses and catnip for our feline friends.
Mary and Kevin's informal garden has something in bloom thorughout the year and many plants to sustain hummingbirds and bees year-round. As a native plant stweward, Mary strives to include many native plants, but must leave room for her more than 40 Japanese maples. Mary and Kevin have a delicious crop of fruity and velvety sages along their paths. Mary's most exciting flower is a Himalayan Poppy, which didn't bloom for several years, but graed her with many heavenly blue flowers with yellow centers last year.
This garden is a certified backyard wildlife habitat and has been on past rours for Puget Sound Bird Fest.
Sandi and Ray have been developing their property since 1985. It is a living tapestry of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, providing treats for the eyes, mouth, and the birds!
The front garden is a charming cottage perennial garden, with some plantings -- such as camellia, red wygelia, and magenta azalea -- dating back to the 1950s. The back garden features 14 French Intensive Biodynamic raised beds that house truly astonishing vegetables, hebs, and flowers. There are nine blueberry bushes in the back garden, three of which were planted in the 1950s. The blueberries are irrigated by redirecting water from the house downspouts. In addition, there are two large rainwater collection tanks behind the garage, each holding 600 gallons of rainwater!
Some of Sandi and Ray's favorite plantings are three Himalayan White Birch trees, an Evergreen Clematis that serves as a privacy screen, and the gnarled Peach/Plum tree on the east side of the house, which is over 100 years old.
Like their neighbors, Nola and Tom also use Earth friendly practices in their garden. Their garden has many native plants that are low water users.
Nola and Tom's house was built in the 1940s, and that is when they believe many of the large rhododendrons were planted. The rhododendrons provide staggered and abundant bloom, treating them to a colorful display most of the spring and early summer.
Their eclectic garden displays art, such as spinning bicycle wheels, bowling balls, a tea set, antique tools, and a waterspout for golf balls; and places to explore, climb, and dig. All of which contribute to an interesting, natural classroom for their grandchildren.
Please odnt miss the five espaliered fruit trees in the front. They are beautiful (and tasty!).
Linda and George have been renovating their garden for the past 17 years. Their garden, once unattended, has become their sanctuary -- a place to be calm and relaxed in unhurried surroundings, and a playground for their grandchildren.
Over the years, Linda has planted many blooms and bushes. She rearranges them as needed to place them in the most nourishing light to allow for flowers and fragrances throughout the year. George has built tiered walls, a curving path, and a brick patio.
The most notable planting in Linda and George's garden is a large cluster of rhododendrons in the center of the yard. They have limbed up the branches so that their grandchildren can play in the shade and climb the trunks. Linda and George also enjoy their roses and the gentle breeze coming up the hill from Puget Sound on a warm summer day.
From the street one would never know the size of Wendy and Robert's garden. It is a wonderfully hidden surprise! Surrounding the rambling lawn, there are fruit trees, species of lavender, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and about 25 mature rhododendrons.
Bob has lived in this home for many years and has developed new areas of the garden each year. He and Wendy got married a few years ago and now share the joy of gardening with each other. Most recently, after returning from a trip to Italy, they were inspired to set a lovely Tuscan patio and fountain that serve as focal point for the garden.
Wendy and Robert enjoy watching their garden change with the seasons. Their favorite getaway is the greenhouse where they start cuttings of geraniums and fuchsias, and start all their annuals from seed.
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
This eclectic garden serves as an escape from the hectic pace of Ian's career. The property has been in his family for 48 years and he fondly remembers the bond that he and his father developed while establishing and appreciation for yard work. The garden was started about 4 years ago and contains many diverse plants, colors, and textures, providing interest all year long. Ian's friends and family affectionately call him a "plant-aholic," who is always roaming garden centers for a good deal and is willing to take in others' stray plants and seamlessly work them into his garden.
Ian has incorporated several Asian statuary pieces in the back garden to honor the memories of his family and friends. There are also many different varieties of Japanese maples to celebrate being part of the Maplewood neighborhood. Be on the lookout for two of his favorite specimens: the red Japanese maple in the back and the silk tree in the front.
This home is one of a very few remaining original University Colony cottages. Built in 1928, Kathleen and Robert have lived here since 1988. Two years ago, while taking a break from their worldly travels, they decided to focus on the garden, and erected a curving stone wall, dividing the two levels of the garden. Kathleen and Robert's hope is that their garden has evolved into a pleasing palate of colors and textures that will complement the glorious view of the Puget Sound.
Their garden is a mix of old and new, harboring many mementos of their travels to Asia, India, Mexico, and Africa. They are particularly fond of the fern garden and area where they are planting rescued rhododendrons.
In 2003, Elizabeth Sears decided it was time to move closer to her daughter and son-in-law. So close, in fact, that she moved next door! The well-worn pathway between the two properties demonstrates their close family bond. Elizabeth is an avid gardener whose garden is a balance between edibles and ornamentals. She has an interest in Pacific Northwest native plants and works in the raised vegetable beds with her daughter and son-in-law.
When asked what she likes most about gardening, Elizabeth says "I love being in my own space where the phone doesn't ring and nobody bothers me. It is the most satisfying activity I do, and although at 84, I am slowing down considerably, I am grateful I can still do it.
Mary Ann and Henry have been developing their comfortable downtown garden for three years. Their historic home, built in 1891, is called Wells House. They have added many new items to the garden of this historic home, such as fencing, hedges, stone walkways, and raised beds. Their garden is a three to four season garden, with a sequence of bloom, and a great variety for a small space.
Mary Ann is a beekeeper. She has 12 beehives on the south wall of the hose. The honeybees are mellow Italian bees with mild manners. The garden is full of bee friendly plants and is pesticide free. Henry loves and tends for the David Austin roses and their beloved Japanese bonsai.
Kee your eyes open for the ancient Japanese statuarty!
Jim and Ann began working in their garden in 1989. First, they demolished a driveway in the back and put in a pond. and that's how it all started. They now have three ponds, all connected by a waterfall. The ponds attract a variety of animals, including great blue herons and kingfishers, that dive into the pond to eat fish. The most memorable are a pair of ducks, that have made Jim and Ann's pond their breeding nest. Mama duck has brought her five ducklings back for a visit (and slide down the waterfall!).
Jim and Ann have a love for native plants -- they even transplanted ferns from a property in Shelton. Bergenia is the constant -- it winds its way through hostas and hardy fuschias, Japanese maples, and a bonsai Mugo pine.
Enjoy the sounds and sights of the waterfall in this lovely Edmonds garden!
This whimsical garden proves that you can make art out of just about anything! Darlene has embodied the spirit of recycling and has incorporated many items into her garden in the most inspiring way.
Darlene's garden had blacktop over the entire lower back level until she and her husband moved here 10 years ago. Her goal was to make a comfortable, natural garden. She has planted many blue toned plants with many textures. While relaxing to the sound of waterfall and ponds, you may be able to view many species of wildlife, including great blue herons and raccoons!
Darlene has a collection of over 50 Japanese maples, ranging from mature trees to seedlings that she nurses along. She is always on the lookout for the newest maple to bring home.
Be sure to visit Ehtel in the potting area on the east side of the garage. What is old is new again! This garden isa certified Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kari and Walter have created a true oasis in the heart of Edmonds!
The front garden is about five years old and has a focus on native Northwest plants. The back garden has been evolving since the 1930s, although Kari and Walter have been digging in the dirt here since 1975. A year-round natural stream runs through the back and pathways take you through the garden and across the stream. There is an old glass greenhouse and a gazebo ringed with tuberous begonias. Huge tropical gunneras dominate the wetland area. The back garden contains about 20 hybrid rhododendrons, 30 deciduous and evergreen trees, including a Chief Joseph pine. Lavendar wisteria and golden chain tree bloom together in the springtime, their colors reflected in the large pond that also reflects the scarlet flowers of hardy fuchsias in the summer.
Kari and Walter's garden has a wonderful tranquility and sense of privacy. It is a perfect place to revive your soul.
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
This garden has a definite sense of Yin and Yang. The front yard has sun loving southern exposure, which is ideal for the scarlet-colored quince, blankets of flowering clover and numerous peonies, all of which add contrast to the burst of burgundy from the mature maple trees. Yet the backyard is the north-facing shaded understory of several majestic cedars. A meandering path leads you under these massive trees where you view beds speckled with hosta, trillium, ferns and bleeding heart. These plantings suit the setting well as this property abuts Edmonds' Hutt Park.
Both the front and back yards each have their own greenhouse for over-wintering tender plants. Symbolically the couple that owns this garden has drawn an invisible line right through the middle of the lot. The front yard is hers and the backyard is his. While each space seems to occupy its own little microclimate they blend seamlessly together as a whole.
This garden is truly the cultivar version of yours, mine and ours!
You've probably driven by this garden hundreds of times and never thought twice about it. But looks can be deceiving. From the street, you get a glimpse of this property's past from an old grocery store sign. Back in the day, this was one of Edmond's first grocery and vegetable stands. Hidden behind hedgerows and fencing lies a secret garden just waiting to be discovered.
As you round the corner, you see an expansive rolling lawn bisected by a stream. You can ford this stream by crossing a charming yet functional bridge that allows the disabled owner access in his wheelchair. There is a vegetable garden and apple trees and the perimeter is dotted with profuse ancient peonies throughout flowerbeds planted by the original owners many years ago.
This garden beckons you to kick off your shoes and feel the grass between your toes as you soak up this bucolic setting!
This quanit English garden oozes charm from the white picket fence, to the boxwood trimmed walkways, to the perfectly manicured rose bushes. Yet it doesn't feel overly formal. There is the sense of a guiding hand that lent structure but didn't feel the need to stay between the lines.
The focal points of the front yard are a brick courtyard and a large island bed set in the middle of the emerald green lawn, all accompanied by the sound of a nearby babbling brook. Calla lilies heavy with the weight of their blossoms vie for space between the home and walkway. As soon as you round the corner to the backyard, you see a beautiful wrought iron gazebo with the mélange of vines weaving throughout, including clematis, climbing roses, and honeysuckle that call for an alfresco escape. And while the backyard might be considered narrow by some, it is a study in what can be accomplished in a tight space. The beds are jam-packed with a profusion of plants that spill over the retaining walls in an explosion of color and texture anchored by the corkscrew willow. This garden truly epitomizes what the original Great Britain in-bloom founders had in mind when they started the program after WWII.
From the moment you enter this garden, you sense its whimsical nature. And yet it is grounded by a maple and Chinese witch hazel with splashes of color that come from clumps of ligularia, blood grass and thalictrum. The front yard pulls your eye in every direction saying "look over here."
As you make your way around back, you see a series of garden vignettes, each with its own individual statement. The practical raised beds of the vegetable garden for fresh summer salads with an esplanade apple tree and raspberry canes serve as a backdrop for an Asian garden with different varieties of irises and coordinating yard art. A Rose of Sharon, Italian prune and lovely bonsai weeping cherry tree are the highlights of the backyard. The owners, who have a local garden store, have brought in many pieces of artwork including a Tom Torrence birdbath/sundial and combined them with antique garden tools for an eclectic mix of old and new.
This cozy garden shows us how much you can plant and create in Edmonds' petite plots of land!
This garden has been 10-years in the making. Having been uprooted from the Midwest and transplanted here, the owners have learned, through trial and error, what and where to plant. the result is a spectacular thrush of color and landscape. In the front yard, huge boulders overflow with brilliant colored sedum and blue star creeper all anchored by a manicured blue atlas spruce.
The real gem awaits you in the back. As you walk along the shaded path surrounded by an evergreen clematis covered trellis, your ears pick up the tell-tale sounds of a creek. This spring fed stream runs year-round and proves to be the magnet for local fauna. The owners have lined the banks with numerous Asiatic and oriental lilies, as well as hellebore, witch hazel, and much more. The highlight of this garden is the mosaic landing that can be reached by crossing the stream. The owner's daughter created this as a birthday gift and it features a birdbath, bird, sun and clouds in mosaic tiles.
This garden shows that although we are blessed with beautiful vistas of Puget Sound, sometimes the best view is right outside our back door!
Five years in the making, this garden is truly a melting pot of styles and plantings. As you enter the front, you see a well-trained and trimmed Chinese wisteria that runs along the house. The front yard has many traditional Northwest trees including Japanese red maples and a trained Deodar cedar.
The flagstone path leads you around to an Italian inspired retreat in the backyard. You immediately see stunning pergola with white columns that have wisteria climbing them in candy cane fashion. Beyond is an expansive arbor that has grape vines intertwined throughout it. A focal point is the ornate three-tiered fountain that makes you want to scour your pocket for change and make a wish. Lemon and olive trees in pots and Italian cypress trees all combine to transport you to Tuscany.
This garden whisks you away to other parts of the world with its plantings and landscape, which begs the question, where's the Chianti?
This sylvan setting was so beautiful that the original owners had this home moved onto the property. This garden greets you at once with an idyllic stream running through the front yard.
As you cross the bridge, you come into the understory of a lovely maple tree which provides the perfect filtered light to shade loving hostas of every variety, as well as trilliums, euphorbia, and hardy geraniums for splashes of color. A recent addition is a rose garden with lavender mixed in and a birdbath trimmed in boxwood.
A shaded path meanders where you encounter more species of hosta tucked against the home. As you enter the backyard, you note how the levy land cypress provide an impenetrable wall of privacy for the home and garden. Nestled in this quiet sanctuary re winding stone paths filled with creeping thyme for soft and aromatic steps.
This tranquil setting reminds us of all that we love about living in the Northwest, especially Edmonds!
Musicians
Sutton Avila
Celeste Trio
Justin Cormier
Mara Grey
Robin McCall
Ashley Webster
Garden Tour 2008
This sun drenched garden offers fantastic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Almost a half-acre in size this space has been completely replanted. In 1999, the owners razed an existing home and removed an in-ground pool and patios to create this lovely garden.
An eclectic mix of annuals and perennials (many started from seed) which provide a magnificent back drop to the dramatic vistas at every corner of the property. A large rock water feature provides sight and sound that pleases the senses, with a nearby bird feeder that entices it's diners to take a quick dip after eating. Unique plantings include over 40 varieties of hardy fuchsia and 8 different varieties of wonderfully fragrant sapphires.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this garden rose from what was once a tennis court and swimming pool.
After demolition, the concrete remnants were used in the creation of raised beds and edging throughout the space. A tranquil "Eden" that offers a respite from daily strife, this 1/2 acre has a very private park-like feel with rolling lawns accented with unusually large trees and shrubs, most notable the red maple, witch hazel and many rhododendrons.
This garden is also a certified backyard wildlife sanctuary and is home to many birds including Robins, Chickadees, Hummingbirds & Wrens just to name a few.
This sun-dappled space speaks to the great heritage of Pacific Northwest gardens at their finest.
Years of careful shaping the mature rhododendrons (over 30) have yielded wonderful structure which provides the backbone of this garden. With its close proximity to a nearby ravine, let your senses run wild as you experience natures harmony of floral and fauna.
Take in the explosion of color and texture overlaid on a canvas of green. Enjoy the intense scent of a garden where something is perpetually in bloom.
Don't miss the stunning red maple on the side of the property or the stately Lions Head Maple in the back yard. While clearly well maintained and manicured, this is first and foremost a child friendly garden where the owners' granddaughter is always welcome.
An informal country garden resides right here in the heart of Edmonds.
This space has evolved over time since its inception as a farm some 98 years ago. The current owner has been puttering around in this patch of dirt for the last 45 years.
Apple trees, berries and raised vegetable beds live in harmony with roses and self-seeding perennials. To leave things organic, there are compost piles at the ready to amend the beds at any time. The Grand Dame of this garden is an ancient transparent yellow apple tree whose stately presence dominates the backyard. This time-tested Pea Patch helps illustrate that gardens can be beautiful while still being functional.
This intimate deck garden truly illustrates how you can create an outdoor room! When this deck was completed in April 2007, the owners began by using 2 distinct colors on the decking surface to give the illusion of area rugs.
An artist was then commissioned to fabricate the unique garden gate which leads you outside. Many colorful pots are brimming with an eclectic mix of Annuals and perennials to create living artwork for the outdoor room. A Montana Clematis has been planted on an Arbor which will eventually cover it with prolific blossoms.
All of this topped by a large retractable awning to keep the elements out. As you will see the possibilities are endless even in a small, confined space, the only limit is your imagination!
This is truly the epitome of a zen garden. An Asian influence is evident everywhere you look, from the clean lines of the Hardscape that were built over the past 17 years to the serenity provided by the many hues of green that pervade throughout.
Multiple varieties of bamboo provide a linear backdrop to colorful pots and baskets. The columnar water feature and fire pit are two highlights not to be missed. The entire perimeter has an Asian inspired fence that would have made Frank Lloyed Wright green with envy.
Take the time to allow this garden to overpower the stresses of the day and become centered on the beauty that surrounds you.
This sylvan setting has been years in the making and is a testament to Woodland Gardens everywhere. It's informal and casual yet also an ever-changing and evolving landscape.
Winding pathways lead you past mature rhododendrons and a variety of perennials. With each step you observe a plethora of grasses, flowering shrubs and the recently added berry garden too. For the energetic, a flagstone fire pit awaits you at the top of the property which offers territorial vistas of the grounds below.
This garden has offered the owners a wonderful opportunity to create something as a team which includes their young son.
Musicians
Celeste
Chris Gross
Enrique
Mara Grey and Andrea McElwain
Mike Harline
Scott Lindenmuth
Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band
Garden Tour 2007
This garden is a blend between a formal English garden with rooms, and a Japanese garden of flowing spaces ith elements of the Great Northwest. Fifteen years in the making, the space originally designed by a Japanese Landscaper, offered a nice internal hardscape and Japanese landscape but was severely overgrown. What you see today has been a passionate work in progress that offers a plethora of stimulation for all five senses; hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste.
Very child friendly, it is functional but has some whimsical qualities featuring a great collection of local artists' garden art. As you transition from one focal point to another, the inviting flow of the garden "sweeps you away" to the next space. Let your senses run wild as you experience the background music of nature, the explosion of color and texture, the intense scent if a perpetual garden where something is always in bloom and your palate is enriched with the bounty of assorted berries, herbs and vegetables.
Unique features include a secret little arbor covered with vanilla and chocolate clematis, a pergola intertwined with honeysuckle and wisteria, and a community bench with a vista view of Puget Sound.
Three years in the making, the elements of this garden focus on color and texture allowing a somewhat unstructured free-flow of plantings. The "user-friendly," magical and somewhat whimsical garden was created from the seed of thought beginning with the placement of a huge rock, fondly known as the "meteor." Blending the old with the new, this new setting offered a safe-haven for some of the more mature and established plants by relocating and replanting them.
This garden is a melting pot for plant species. It offers a variety and mixture from tropicals and desert grasses, to evergreens and Northwest standards creating diverse shapes, textures, and contrast. Focal points from both the street and the house are enhanced by several large pots to create visual delights for the eye. Meandering pathways take you to unknown treasures... a water fountain with a cozy seating area and a meditation nook located behind the laughing Buddha.
Highlights include a camperdown elm, a large specimen red lace-leaf maple, a corkscrew willow and a tsumagaki Japanese maple. The shaded side garden offers the perfect setting for hostas, trilliums and ferns to thrive.
This garden lends itself very well to shade and the elements of the Great Northwest. Thirty-seven years in the making, its original plantings were rhododendrons, azaleas, heather and mugho pine. Today, not entirely Asian in feel, the garden has many notable characteristics. A combination of sparseness, rock paths and low walls focus on group plantings, yet enough bare ground is left to frame the landscaped beauty of nature.
Top give the impression that the stone pathways are running through the landscaping, mirrored plantings were placed on each side of the paths to create this sylvan setting.
Its unique feature is a free-flowing brook and natural waterfall that are truly complimented by the natural flow of plantings throughout this tranquil and peaceful setting. The topography of the property offers multiple hills which provide varying levels. On the steepest hillside is a planting of Japanese maples and hellebores. After you cross the bridge to the south hillside fondly referred to as "the bed across the brook," glance back at the "patriotic" bed which is completely covered with heather in the notable shape of the United States!
Truly serene and secluded, you can easily imagine you are in the depths of the forest. As you listen to the symphony of the birds and the sound of the babbling brook as it frolics along, you can quickly be reminded that you are not alone. Familiar sounds of the horn bellowing from the ferry and that of steel-on-steel from the train bring you right back home to Edmonds... our picturesque seaside paradise on Puget Sound!
The small 15'x15' intimate garden is truly viewed in its entirety as a piece of art. Created as an installation with Mother Earth as a partner, it is based on the ancient Chinese principles of Feng shui. The entire collection of hand-signed original artwork is a tribute to the talent of the resident Artist. As you discover this garden, you are guided along an "art walk" of 202 handmade mosaic pavers and stepping-stones that lead you to a fountain like no other... a near life-size Black Panter Gargoyle. A true testament to being a cat lover, this garden would not be complete without the two hand-designed "catwalks."
With each step you observe a variety of grasses and bamboo, miniature gardens and bonsai. These elements validate the Asian theme of this garden. There are a variety of water plants in the 150-gallon, two-piece pond, also home to Japanese Goldfish. Continuing along the path you view two red dragon Japanese maples, two weeping blue atlas cedars and an arbor of Chinese wisteria. The only pre-existing tree in the entire garden is the small dogwood. Notice the variation of texture and color in the choice of rocks and glass used as ground cover.
Taking great pride in maintaining and environmentally safe garden, it is totally toxic free of pesticides and herbicides. This is a great example of what can be done when faced with limited space. As you can see, the possibilities are infinite when you allow your creative inner spirit the opportunity to express itself!
This garden is a wonderful art form of living sculpture. Imagine having large swirls of plantings in primary colors sculpted into your front lawn. This 3-year transformation focuses on the mix of color, texture, and the integration of edibles; herbs; fruits and vegetables to add interest and even more color to this Master Gardeners landscaping plan.
Easily defined by the placement of the plantings, there is a fuchsia garden, an oriental lily garden and a rose garden graced with 50 rose bushes. For the food and wine enthusiasts, there are three separate "kitchen" gardens offering a selection of fresh vegetables and herbs to complement and enhance any meal. You are witness to a small vineyard of pinot noir grapes planted with three varieties of lavender that may someday become "Horstman Reserve."
Once severely overgrown with brambles of blackberries, the backyard perimeter has now become a visual paradise highlighted by shades of blue. Cobalt blue pots compliment the marine blue tiles of the pool, creating the illusion of pristine aquamarine waters of the tropics right here in the Pacific Northwest! The pool deck "Pavilion" is truly unique!
This garden can hold a "candle" to any garden that claims it is unique! The nature of the plants, the lighting, the shapes of the pots, the hand selected river rock collection and the one-of-a-kind garden art are visual proof. It can best be described as the "crooked garden because many of the plantings were hand-picked because of just that!
Forty years in the making, outstanding features include a rose garden with twenty-two different varieties of roses, a weeping Norway, a mountain hemlock, red maples, cathedral ivy with its unique candelabra shape and majestic rhododendrons and towering white double lilac that are both roughly thirty-eight years of mature growth.
Whether it be walking on the velvet green grass or along the hand-made cobblestone path, look high and low because this garden has a lot of detail you won't want to miss!
Musicians
Mike Harline
Robin McCall
Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band
Enrique
Mara Grey and Andrea McElwain
Scott Lindenmuth
Garden Tour 2006
A collection of hostas, upright fuchsias, ferns, impatiens and begonias interspersed among rhododendrons and camellias add a profusion of color and texture to this shade garden. Surrounded on three sides by mature tall trees, this backyard is dominated by a 60-fooy old cedar and offers focal points with multiple-themed seating areas.
Travel through this garden and stop at the small fishpond that adds to the alure of an intimate wicker seating area. A touch of Italy with a black bench arbor and an arched mirror hung across the corner of the cedar fence, provides a delightful spot to n=enjoy a cappuccino. Cast your eyes on the non-stop begonia baskets hung along the six-foot cedar fence enclosing the yard.
Yet another resting spot features an old-fashioned lawn swing on the shaded deck. Owner, Connie Pierce, created the artistic idea by stamping a sword fern frond for the motif. Relax as you enjoy the sound of the ngel wall fountain and admire the cantilevered flower-filled deck boxes.
This garden is graced by 3 Acer p. 'Sango-kaku' Japanese maples that lightly cast shade over layers of shrubs with colorful blooms and stems interwoven with the tapestry of colorful and textural perennials. The stately growth of several trees and a few rhododendrons date back to the 1950's. Take note of the mature flowering and fruit-bearing Kiwi along the driveway.
Featuring several separate gardens; the rock garden in front, the side garden that receives very little shade canvassed with sun-loving plants, the backyard with vistas of Puget Sound in the distance, and the "plant orphanage" located on the cascading hillside that is open to all plants that need a temporary home.
When touring this garden look for the special touches that make this garden so unique. Up lighting has been added to enhance the three coral bark trees in the moonlight. The garden features several bronze pots, one made into a fountain flowing into the pond. Your senses are heightened with the aroma of Corsican mint as you wander along the stone pathway. Tucked away in the surroundings, search for a touch of garden art. A gecko and a dinosaur egg!
This garden is a quiet retreat from the hectic world. Color, texture and fragrance add to the well-deserved sense of serenity and the calming effect it offers after a busy day. Beginning as an un-landscaped new construction, its continuing evolution has spanned over the last six summers. Sectioned into a collection of eye-catching vignettes make this garden truly unique.
A special feature is an arbor covered with polygonum vines that bloom white all summer and provide fragrance in the air. Unlike "liquid sunshine," this vine rains white petals during late summer. In addition, the arbor provides shade and a great place to sit and read while listening to the hum of bees on the surrounding lavender.
Due to the damp nature along the south fence, an enchanting shade garden was created. The selected foliage thrives in this environment giving the effect of a dense, lush rain forest.
This garden can best be described as eclectic offering an abundant display of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. Featured in Better Homes and Gardens in 2003, this garden showcases something in bloom every month of the year. The major growth has been generally 10-20 years in the making; however, there are fruit trees that date back to the 1930's.
Hidden behind a stately laurel hedge, you are welcomed into a garden world offering much floral variety. Stroll along the pathway and enjoy the "garden rooms." The whimsical "hobbit house"
(complete with a chandelier!), the greenhouse and the veggie garden. Take notice of the abundant and unique structural elements throughout this garden and multiple water features, which include 2 waterfalls, 2 ponds and a stream.
A new deck and hot tub allow relaxation and visual enjoyment of the surroundings. To enhance the organic nature of the soil and continued growth and well-being of this garden, a compost system has been created and is utilized on an on-going basis.
Tucked away in a corner of Woodway Park is a truly 'secret' garden. Towering maple and conifers dwarf the visitor. Natural forest areas open to manicured lawns, rose gardens, perennial borders, and skies that are crisscrossed by eagles and hummingbirds.
To the south a sunny slate floored patio steps down into a stone balustrade edged formal sunken garden with reflection pond, home to aquatic plants and goldfish. A 50-year old Ginko tree stands sentinel over lavender edged rose gardens, mollis azaleas, and mature crabapples. A brick walled courtyard supports a 70-year old climbing hydrangea.
just inside the garden to the Rosary Heights Campus, off to the right down the dirt road, lie the beautiful Artbrook Gardens. Begun in the late 1980's by Community Artists, are exhibition rose and dahlia gardens. Hidden to the right and left are lovely "garden rooms" containing small ponds, hybridized trees, plants and ground covers in and among the ancient, permaculture. Deemed a national backyard wildlife sanctuary in the 1990's, these gardens have shared creativity with coyotes, raccoons, opossums, deer, squirrels, moles, mountain beavers, and many species of exciting birds.
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
Garden Tour 2005
This Mossy Rock Garden is surrounded by a private evergreen hedge and large trees which provide a natural backdrop. The garden is a multi-level cottage garden containing a few original fifty-ear-old maple trees, rhododendrons and fruit trees. The kidney shaped pond and associated waterfall is a significant feature of the garden. Through the use of recycling, the owners have planned the garden pattern around broken concrete walls, patios, and retaining beds. Many of the pieces were obtained from neighbors and various other places throughout Edmonds. The owners enjoy planting plants that have been purchased on sale, are easy to grow, and have foliage and flowers that can be used in bouquets. Japanese maples are the owner's favorite trees because of their beautiful form and leaves that turn brilliant red in the fall. Climbing clematis adds height and beautiful flowers as an accent throughout.
The style of this garden was predetermined by the stonework in the yard prior to the owner moving in nine years ago. The garden can best be described as a funky English garden. A unique stone shed adds to this feeling and helps give the garden its funky feel. Rocks along the pathway look like lava. A very large Alaskan Cedar indicates that the garden must be quite old. The owner creating the garden which contains some interesting paintings.
The first year, blackberries, morning glory, trash and weeds were removed. 10 unhealthy apple trees and one peach were also removed. during the second year of homeownership, the garden area was offer to the neighbors for vegetables.
This yard can best be described as three outdoor rooms. As you pass through a gate on the south side of the house, a brick pathway leads to an intimate courtyard which connects to an indoor dining area. A fountain ringed by dwarf Golden Barberries and Oregon Grape and other plants offer a wonderful space to relax and read.
A pathway leads you to the backyard ringed by a ten to eleven-foot-tall arborvitae hedge. This area contains an eclectic mix of plants creating a somewhat Tuscan feel. A flagstone walkway surrounds two planting areas connected by a waterfall feature and Koi Pond. Within the centers of the planting areas are Filbert trees which have been pruned to allow leaves to grow only on the tips of some very old trunks. Each tree has approximately 6-7 leafy plums hanging over the encircled planting areas like umbrellas. On either side of the pathways are a variety of deciduous and evergreen groundcovers, ornamental grasses and shrubs. A recently planted baby cactus even lived through this past winter. The other portion of the back yard contains a rose garden surrounded by a small boxwood hedge.
When the owners built their home in 2001, they wanted the home and yard to appear as though the home had been nestled on the hillside for years. To that end, much of the native vegetation on the island they created, both in front and rear yards, has been chosen to complement the native plants. Near the entrance of the home, a pond with a crane sculpture greets visitors.
Most of the garden was installed in 2002 and is work in progress. Over the next few years, the owners will be attempting to differentiate the "landscaped" areas from the natural areas. At the present time, an unwanted visitor burrows into the hillside regularly eating much of the viburnum davidii and saracocoa that were planted in abundance on the south side of their home.
Set against a stunning view lies this secret garden in the heart of Seaview. Nine years of backbreaking toill has transformed this rocky hillside of blackberry bushes and weeds into the sylvan setting it become today. A white pergola and gate leads you to this enchanting garden. The main feature is a stream that winds through beautiful evergreens and perennials creating several pools along the way. The stream flows into a large pond stocked with a multitude of fish overlooked by a covered deck that calls for repose to soak in the sights and sounds.
The owners have created several other unique gathering spots in their garden that almost give the feel of individual "rooms" that lure one to stay awhile and contemplate the sublime beauty of nature. In an effort to not harm nature, their pets and friends, the owners have never used any toxins or sprays in this space.
Originally a five-acre alder-studded forest in 1936, the yard was transformed into a lilac nursery by the original owners shortly after acquiring the property. In the 1940's, the owners purchased 450 rhododendrons and 250 azaleas. Many are still on the property; some reaching heights of 20 feet. Although the original five acres have shrunk to an acre and a half, the garden seems much larger. Large conifers, beeches, maples and flowering shrubs provide significant structure for the perennial and wildflower borers.
The second homeowner purchased the property in 1959 and spent half their married lives tending to the garden. The northeast corner of the garden features a woodland area filled with hostas, ferns, columbines, Japanese Maples and other woodland ground covers. A woodland path leads past a renovated cabin and formal oval of lawn.
Unusual plant combinations are based on the complex relationship between plant color, texture and form. The colors of silver, ash, magenta, pink, red and blues combine with a variety of textured and uniquely shaped plants to create a truly inspiring garden.
A mish mash of odds and ends and garden ornaments the owners have collected over the years makes for an interesting garden. The yard has several large apple trees, a Mountain Ash and Ornamental Plum, estimated to be 20 to 25 years. The trees are accented by a perennial bed of dahlias.
The garden has two water features. The owners enjoy outdoor living and the large 2nd floor deck provides them opportunities to enjoy the yard from above.
Garden Tour 2004
The owners have created a gardening theme called workaround and have strived to maintain the natural contours of the property. Some of the evergreens in the back yard are some of the original trees that made up a "little forested hollow" where the original area Ganahl-Hanley Cabin once nestled. The area is now called Abe's Place and serves as a favorite place in the landscape. A gazebo, shade loving hostas, ferns, and other native Norhtwest plants, along with gravel paths and a park bench have been added to the area. The front entry has a soothing fountain. A two-level back deck includes a deck pool and containers filled with annuals and perennials. Nikko Blue hydrangeas along the south side of the house are a celebration of color all summer long. May of the perennials are sharing gifts from friends or family, including a deep purple lilac bush.
Highlights: The hose was built on a portion of the Hanley property -- the original home of the Ganahl-Hanley Log Cabin untilo it was donated to the City of Edmonds in 1975. Two rhododendrons are estimated to be over 75 years old.
A delightful secret garden is tucked behind this contemporary home. Follow the cobblestone path from a shade garden that wraps around the deck and pond to a sun-filled garden. Feats your eyes on the hedged line rose garden, planter boxes, bricked walkways, and flower beds teaming with decorative trees, bushes, grasses, herbs, and colorful floral accents. And reward yourself with a surprise view at the back of the property. This garden is meant to be a sanctuary for wildlife as well as for human souls. You will leave with new ideas for your garden as well as an appreciation for how the small improvements and additions we make each year add up over time.
Highlights: Many plants were selected for their appeal to hummingbirds and butterflies. Enjoy the birds and squirrels that find sanctuary here. Notice too the duck crossing sign, honoring a pair of mallards that faithfully return to this spot each spring and Fall.
Although a Northwest garden, this garden is designed to include themes the owner loves in European gardens. The garden is composed of a series of rooms that reflect elements of cottage, knot, allee, and parterre gardens. The herb garden, with grape arbor and espaliered apples, is perhaps the owners' favorite place to putter. A secret garden contains a spa tucked away behind a garden door, at the end of a small alle lined with potted dwarf apples. A touch of whimsy is reflected in the color province which was chosen for the garden door into the spa room. Touches of humor include tiny frog chimes, a mermaid, a gecko.
Highlights: The garden contains many lovely landscape specimens, from small Magnolias to red twig dogwood to unusual hydrangeas. Scattered throughout, however, are shrub roses, iris, peony, dwarf apple trees and a variety of herbs.
Considered an English Cottage Style, the garden also includes a Japanese Bonsai Garden in the back. An archway of maple crafted to look like bamboo marks the entrance to the bonsai garden which features a small koi pond with a waterfall. There is also an extensive play area at one end of the yard in addition to a tree fort, bridge and a gingerbread playhouse built in 1962 by the owners' father. A back deck includes a potting shed, containers and window boxes. A grape plant was transplanted from the owners godmother's yard in 1980 and dates back to pre-WW II .
Highlights: An archway of maple crafted to look like bamboo and wonderful inviting spaces.
Nestled along a natural stream and a series of tranquil pools (built by Edmond's first shoemaker), lies a secret garden. The sanctuary you discover beyond the gate is a sensory delight. Hear the soothing sound of tumbling water as you catch your first glimpse of a perennial bed filled with color, texture, and serendipity. Meander further and you'll find a variety of mature trees that create a natural aviary filled with the voices of songbirds, jays and the occasional blue heron. Imagine the award-winning azaleas and rhododendrons in spring's festive bloom. Visit the greenhouse/conservatory bordered by spectacular tuberous begonias. Just beyond is a half-century-old gazebo, the site of magical summer dinner parties and fresh-caught salmon barbeques.
Highlights: Quiet refelective corners and charming garden whimsy. Lots .of color and texture, slightly funky, and sheer joy
Started in the 1970's, the garden was revised in 1995. Begin by entering through wide gates and be greeted by a curving sweep of green lawn flanked on two sides by rhododendrons. A small pasture is on the right, with a small barn and a pony for grandchildren to ride. Up the drive towards the house are more rhododendrons, hostas and azaleas which surround the front entry. A small pool within a circular drive is surrounded by blue and white iris, azaleas, heuchera and more. Shade plants fill the area under trees. Lawn continues around the back with perennials bordering the deck, swimming pool and additional patio. Summer color is added in pots and flower beds, beckoning the visitor to stay, sit and relax.
Highlights: The drive continues to the back of the house, curving around a large bed of plantings which feature mature trees, the star of which is a beautiful Japanese Maple.
Garden Tour 2003
One look and you'll know why this is the neighborhood gathering place. After bringing over 500 plants from a previous garden, Dick and Sue Watts spent three years battling glacial till to create this picturesque setting. Raised beds and planters add texture while colorful annuals contribute variety. A waterfall accents the backyard woodland garden which also features hostas, Oregon grapes, columbine, and hellebores.
Highlights: The peony garden and the Pee Gee Tree Hydrangea surrounded by a selection of roses.
Imagine spending a quiet summer evening in this backyard retreat created by John and Iris Corallo. Each planting here has a story... from the cherry tree which has moved with them three times to the bey of sunflowers which are Iris's favorites. John's fondness for Japanese maples is also evident and includes a tiny specimen he challenges visitors to find (look near the pond). Along with many varieties of perennials -- sedums, foxglove, coneflowers -- you will notice unique plantings such as the contorted willow, the topiary conifers, and the "elephant tree." A large chess set and a bench by the pond invite a prolonged stay.
Highlights: The child statue, the Japanese Maple by the front entry and "elephant tree."
Indulge your senses with the sweet fragrances of old-fashioned roses and meandering honey suckle and take a quiet moment in the English-style gazebo to enjoy the perennials and calming fountain. Kerri has spent the past five years rejuvenating each bed and adding new interest and textures to a mature garden.
Highlight: The recently renovated river rock waterfall, one of three water features.
You'll be surprised that this garden is only one-half acre as you wander through room after room. Mount Fuji flowering cherry trees line the side yard and are underplanted with rhododendrons. Through a wooden arbor covered with a climbing rose and clematis, you'll find an exquisite perennial garden, patio area and water features. A dry-stacked stone wall fronts a woodland garden featuring a 60' high abies concolor fir, which was once a living Christmas tree. The various shade-loving plants provide a restful contrast to the exuberance of the mixed perennial borders. Another arbor guides you to the stone bench by the fountain and onto entry garden.
Highlights: Waterfall and pond, fountain garden.
Garden Tour 2001
Local artist Sue Coccia and her husband Frank have created a beautiful pocket of green space in their garden. As you wander through this certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat keep an eye open for the animals living and visiting here. Water features lure birds, sheltered areas welcome critters and a variety of blooming plants are a treat for ladybugs and bees. Sue's love of wildlife is also reflected in the pen and ink drawings she creates as an artist. The front yard erupts with blooms in summer providing a rambunctious riot of color. Don't miss the stunning display provided by the Bermansia, Angels Trumpet with its enormous blossoms and heady fragrance.
Originally a farmhouse with several acres of orchards, this charming late 1920's home and garden were in need of some inspiration which arrived five years ago with Steve and Jeanne Hansen. They have been successful in reclaiming the garden and improving the outdoor living area. Each distinct area of the garden exudes its own personality and friendly charm. Lingering here will lead to enchanting discoveries as found art accents the garden in remembrance of work accomplished.
Surrounding the Country French-style home of Stephen & Gwen Johnson, the natural Northwest garden features a patio whose steps flow down to a park-size lawn, suitable for any outdoor game imaginable. This sunny oasis features a rose-laden iron trellis near the entry which was crafted by the gardener, a trellis covered in long clusters of wisteria blooms, a colorful perennial garden and a small bridge over an iris-filled pond. Majestic tree trunks of enormous proportions by lush second growth forest and giant rhododendrons encircle the yard and complete the feeling of an oasis.
Garden structures and longtime residents of John & Carol Chin's garden, such as the mock orange tree, create the perfect backdrop to showcase a potpourri of plants. The gracious older home dates from the 1920's and the garden represents contributions from all four owners. The fragrance of lavender will lead you to a wall cloaked by several roses including the Floribundas Bonica and Gruss An Aachen. The climber, Queen Elizabeth, is entwined with an evergreen clematis on one graceful arbor while the lacy green foliage of wisteria graces another. Don't miss the gazebo surrounded by pink Simplicity hedge roses and rosemary or the small pond hugged in heather, peonies and more roses.
The Haggett-McNinch family describes their gardening style as spontaneous and their garden as "Serendipity Place." Take time to enjoy the beautiful results as these gardeners truly do have an aptitude for making fortunate discoveries - accidentally or not. Many complimentary plant groupings blend patterns and textures throughout the yard. Local artist Dena Votaw will be creating hypertufa alpine garden troughs and garden leaves cast in concrete during the tour.
John and Janet Carmichael have spent twenty years of hard work, many dollars at local nurseries and innumerable hours on transplanting to create the exceptional beauty and charm of this garden. A gaze across the garden provides a lovely view of roses, clematis, flowering shrubs and perennials. Pay special attention to the vegetable garden where John rotates his crops carefully. It is spilling with potatoes, squash, marionberries, raspberries, blueberries, garlic, rhubarb...
Whimsical yard decorations and a beautiful water feature highlight the garden of Will & Jeanne Judd. Winding paths covered in nut shells meander through the herb gardens, past the patio cloaked in vines and a dramatic new gazebo. Keep an eye out for the espaliered fruit trees and the award-winning Koi. This is also the home of Edmonds own Sweet Basil School of Cooking.
Barry Tharp & Kurt Brand have transformed a stark landscape of simple rhododendron and evergreen plantings into overflowing perennial beds bursting with vivid colors and texture. Prompted by the addition of a patio last year, the gardeners added a full-scale water feature and a touch of whimsy with a life-size chess set in pavers. You'll experience a little magic in this garden!
Besides the small Japanese maple at the front of Carol and Brian Clute's yard, which has been moved five times to stay with the family, and a few azaleas, the plantings in this young garden are very recent. Featuring some rarely used trees to provide a haven for birds and a beautiful mahogany deck and covered porch to provide a respite for the gardener, this yard is a colorful private refuge. Expect to see gingko, Persian parrotia, paperbark maple, katsura and Japanese snowbell.
With a major overhaul in 1997, the gracious garden of Don & Ann Herman has grown into its own with delightful focal points: an orchard; herb garden; and vegetable patch. As you meander, note the fragrant Daphne X burkwoodii "Carol Mackie" at the entry, the perennial bed to the West, and a trellis fence showcasing a Cecile Brunner climbing rose, a Sally Holmes climber and a red leafed ornamental grape as contrasting companion now and through the Fall. Apple trees, raspberry bushes, a Frost peach tree, a fig tree and a selection of herbs add charm to the enchanting beauty of this yard.
An abundance of flowers, shrubs, mature Japanese maples, and a pond in the front yard make this garden a delight to be in. A path will take you around the house featuring hydrangeas and a small gazebo with a fountain. Continuing you will reach the backyard with a splendid water feature and terraced beds filled with trees, shrubs and flowers.
Over the years, Mrs. Johnston has planted a wonderful display of outstanding tree and shrub specimens. Mature Japanese maples with stunning bark, several deciduous and flowering trees, and a lovely, shaded path through giant fir are sure to inspire even those with small to moderate back yards.
This garden, designed by Dagmar Braun and built entirely by Carol and Bob, is an outstanding example of what can be done with a small yard. Featured in the back is a large pond laced with water lilies, iris, and fish. Magnificent tree specimens have been artfully placed. There is an area devoted to roses hedged with santolinas and boxwood, a sitting area nestled up in the European birch trees allows one to soak up the tranquility of the garden, and enjoy the music the waterfalls and birds have created.
Alan has been developing his garden over the past four years. A beautiful and well-established boarder of pyramidalis, firs, cypress, and rhododendrons provide a lush evergreen back drop for the many hostas, grasses, peonies, and wide assortment of perennials he has planted.
Featuring a large park-like setting with sweeping views is a garden that thrives in sun and dappled shade. Large hemlock, cedar, and fir trees along with rhododendrons and fruit trees provide a lush evergreen backdrop that surround lilies, hardy fuchsias, and peonies. Raised beds are filled with herbs that soak up the sunshine. Don't miss the sarcococca, a small evergreen shrub that is little known and has a wonderful fragrance in the spring, look for it in the front yard.
Bill and Pat's garden highlights a grand water feature with cascading falls, two pools and a connecting stream. This combines with artfully placed rocks and boulders, several garden rooms, a greenhouse, and a wide variety of plants to create an intriguing garden to visit. Be sure not to miss the enchanting hobbit house, it is a work of art!
Old time magic will take you back to a country setting, follow the path to a garden filled with scented herbs, roses, and a spectacular arbor made with apple trees.
Owner: Henry Arce
Gardener: Kim Hayes
Stroll along the front courtyard among a distinguished planting of daphne, climgin hydrangea, a shapely magnolia and many other perennials and shrubs.
Around to the back of the restaurant large raised beds are filled with trees, climgin roses, scented herbs, shrubs and more perennials. Many of the flow3ers and herbs find their way into the restaurant to add flavor and magic to the lunches and dinners served.
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