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