Aberdeen-Cosmopolis Garden Tour: “Painting with Plants”

 Saturday, 16 July 2016

The WSU Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties present:

garden eight: “Painting with Plants”

The last garden we toured was just a block from the two gardening neighbours.  It is always so nice (although not always possible, of course) when tour gardens are close together.

Walking one block over; I wondered if this might be the next garden.

looking down the side street

I could see from the clock on the porch that we were going to be done with tour on time (4 PM).  You can see to the left where the garden changes from lawn to bark.

Allan’s photo

Yes, this was indeed the tour garden.

I like what I see from the outside.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

The lots to one side of the house are “painted with plants”.

Who needs a sunny day when you have colour like this? (I love gold foliage.)

looking back at the house

sweeps of vibrant color from foliage

a little sit spot

Three extra city lots to garden on!

You can see how the bark will fade to brown as it ages.

a fireplace pavilion

Note the window frames for the back wall of the pavilion.

Allan’s photo

garden shed at the far side of the property

I was smitten with the heathers in this landscape.  Or are the ones that drew my ardent admiration heaths rather than heathers?  I read up on it and am still confused.  I must completely rethink my opinion about heathers.  All this time, I have been bored by the flattish winter blooming ones of dull white and off pink.  These spiky airy lovely plants are a different look entirely.

Heath or heather, that white flowering plant is all spiky and I like spikes.

outside the “reading room”

Inside, a peaceful retreat (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

From comments I overheard from tour guests, the plantings in this garden have dramatically expanded since the last time it was on the tour.  I would love to see it in five more years with even more plants added.  I envy the amount of space left to plant in.  No walking around with a plant you shouldn’t have bought because there is no more room!

Below the reading room, an orchard (Allan’s photo)

At the edge of the upper garden, the tops of trees below show the dramatic drop off where 95 tons of boulders and many loads of soil created a flat terrace.

tree tops from the garden area below

the patio created by the boulder wall

Allan’s photo

the lawn below the house

It was difficult to get a photo of this effect, but I overheard that the boardwalk that goes all around this big rectangular area is meant to be a photo frame.

Allan on the lower boardwalk

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

I have always like heathers (and heaths) when they are planted on a slope. This one will look increasingly stunning.

Allan’s photo

avoiding the railing-less stairs

Allan’s photo

Most of the garden was easily accessible with paved walkways.

Allan’s photo

Allan went down to the lowest part of the garden and took some photos for me to peruse:

gold and purple….heath or heather…I want it!

boulder wall and the lower part of the orchard

the lowest level of the garden

Before our departure, we filled out a little survey that had been handed out asking what we thought of the tour, and deposited it in a box on the patio.  I wrote in the comments that eight out of eight gardens had been excellent.  I can’t remember ever being on a garden tour (and I have been on many) where I so much liked every single garden on offer.  Each was different, interesting, with plant diversity, perfect grooming, innovative ideas, and sustainable gardening practices.  Not one felt ostentatious or like the design and work had just been hired out.

Several of the members of the Master Gardener group that puts on this tour had assured me that it is their standard to have a tour this good every year.  I know it is going to be a top priority for me to attend it next year.  If only I could go back in time, I would love to have attended last year’s.

Tonight: a bonus post of our evening in Aberdeen.